TRANSYLVANIA  BUSINESS  CENTER 
                                                                                                                                                                 Project Financed by European Union

---

CAT-BREuropa PROJECT:

“The development and the diversification of CAT – BRE 982 activities for the internationalization of SMEs and the promotion of European Commission’s partnership network”

---

2. The name of the project’s coordinator: Dr. Radu-Adrian Mlesnita

3. The legal statute of the organization: non-profit association

4. Summary of the objectives and the activities: Transylvania Business Center Cluj-Napoca (CAT)’s objectives are: the development of the free market tools, the promotion of its member companies economical interests through the programmes of regional and international development, the promotion of member companies cooperation, as well as the cooperation between them and third parts, the development of the business links.

The current activities of CAT are: granting business consultancy for SME’s; organizing qualification and improvement courses; organizing economic missions abroad for the SME’s representatives; identifying potential business partners for SME’s; research; developing databases and offering information to SME’s; supporting and preparing the youth and the women for employment.

More details regarding the activity, the programmes and the results are presented in the appendage.

CAT Cluj-Napoca has been assigned as a Correspondent for “Bureau de Rapprochement des Entreprises” BRE 982 by the European Commission DG XXIII on the basis of the collaboration protocol signed in 1998. BRE is a correspondents network coordinated by DG XXIII which promotes the international cooperation (cross-border cooperation) of the SME’s and spreads information regarding business opportunities and direct business links. The BRE network is extended in more than 70 countries and has more than 500 correspondents in the most important cities of the world. The BRE correspondents are the associations, the organizations or consultancy firms which have as the main objectives:
- promotion of the international partnership
- according assistance to SME’s in finding business partners
- formulating Cooperation Profile, translating and transmitting them to the Central Unit DG XXIII and to the other BRE Correspondents
- spreading of the business opportunities through Internet, newsletters, mails, fax, press releases
- maintaining contact with other BRE Correspondents and interested companies
- realizing our own database and monthly updating
- promoting the programmes and the values of the European Commission

CAT – BRE 982 materializes those tasks and has some successes in promoting the BRE network in spite of the difficult economic situation. The actions initiated and the activities realized by CAT – BRE 982 in last two years are presented in the reports made for DGXXIII and enclosed to the present request for financing.
Among these can be mentioned:
- contacting more than 1000 SMEs from the Tranylvanian counties
- according consultancy to more than 1500 SMEs
- building 62 Cooperation Profiles
- organizing 16 direct contacts/visits of some UE’s companies in Cluj-Napoca and 4 delegation of Romanian companies in the UE countries.
- participating at the Partnership ’98 and ’99 in Athens and Zaragoza organized by DGXXIII
- the SME’s participation in the last 2 edition of the Europartenariat
- promoting constantly the BRE network, the European Commission’s programmes in the press associated to CAT.

5. The nature and the theme of the project:
The project proposes the promotion of the European Commission’s programmes and especially the promotion of the BRE programme and network to the SMEs from Transylvania region.
The procedure includes:
- The advertising of the BRE’s activities in media and with direct contact with the companies
- The developing of the Internet interactive site
- The translation and the multiplication of the specific forms
- The assistance accorded to the companies for filling the forms
- The translation of the forms in English
- The direct introduction of the form through Internet in the Central Unit’s database
- The assurance of the direct contact with the other BRE correspondents from the UE and the world
- The searching activity for business opportunities offered by the other BRE correspondents
- The implementation of the business links between Romanian SMEs and the foreign companies
- The reciprocal promotion of the business opportunities made by BRE Correspondents

Four seminars will be organized to inform the companies about the databases components and the benefits of registration in the European Commission’s database. The representatives of DGXXIII will be invited to attend seminars and to discuss topics such as: the economical legislation of the UE, the partnership programmes, the ways of participating, the new concepts and technologies about globalization, internationalization, Single Market and e-commerce.

6. Which other countries from Central Europe and Eastern Europe participate at the event/activity for which the financial request is made?
Belgium – Bureau de Rapprochement des Entreprises DGXXIII Brussels
             - 0

7. The anticipated results:

• A better cognition of: the business environment of UE; the possibilities of international partnership offered by the European Commission’s programmes; the economical legislation; the usage of the tools accorded to the Central and Eastern European countries by the European Commission; the mechanism of the Single Market and e-commerce.
• The achievement of a practical vision regarding the development of the SMEs
• The advertising of the European Commission’s programmes such as Europartenariat’s reunions
• The participation to “Partnership 2000” of a CAT – BRE 982 representatives
• The enforcement of BRE network, the growth of its prestige both in the Transylvanian area and in Romania by contacting and informing more than 5000 SMEs
• The preparation of 40 managers, owners and specialists for the cooperation with BRE network and other programmes
• The development of an Internet site with links to other sites of interests for the SMEs
• The bringing of a real contribution to the achievement of the European enlargement/reunification’s programme and of our integration in the European structures

The activity of CAT – BRE 982 will be quantified in accordance with the indicators from the semestrial reports to BRE – DGXXIII regarding: the dissemination channels of information, the number of the contacted SMEs, the number of SMEs which responded positive/negative, the number of the CPs introduced in the BRE’s database, the number of contacts with other BRE Correspondents, the number of visits and contacts realized between SMEs and with BRE, the eventual successful businesses stories.

8. The period of financing:
January  – December 2000

9. The amount of financing (in Euro):
48.200 Euro

10. Which is the percent of the communitar financing from the total amount of the project:
66.39 %

11. Other financial resources (excluding the possibility of financing from the European Commission):
-
12. Other grants obtained in the past or in the present from other organization’s budget (to be specified the source and the amount):
Transylvania Business Center (CAT) Cluj-Napoca has not received grants in the last 3 years. The activities were sustained from its own resources, which are very limited, respectively from the monthly subscription of its member companies and the consulting services accorded to them.

13. Necessary information for the bank transfer of the potential financing:
- account number    : 2511000013603539
- the name of the bank    : Transylvania Bank Cluj-Napoca
- the organization that owns the account : Transylvania Business Center
- fiscal code     : 5883263

14. Supplementary information, sent by direct mail:
To the present request are enclosed:
- the detailed budget of activities
- the schedule of activities for the 2000 year
- copies after the activity’s reports of CAT – BRE 982
- the statute of CAT
- the presentation documents of CAT
- the activity report for 1998 together with the Accounting Statement and Auditors Report
- press releases referring to CAT’s activity
- the balance sheet for 1998
- the last banking account extracts

The Financial Request for the project have been sent to the delegation of the European Commission in Bucharest and it was registrated on 1 October 1999 with no. 009021.
 

First Month:

• BRE presentation seminar with the purpose to promote the EU business environment and the usage of the BRE database. 20 companies will participate at this one-day event
• Delegation in the Maramures and Satu Mare counties with the purpose to promote the BRE network and European Commission’s programmes. The target will be aproximately 20 companies, for a period of 1 week
• The developping of the BRE 982 Internet site
• Offering assistance to 5-10 SMEs for completing BRE forms
• Introducing 5 Cooperation Profiles (CPs) in the Central Unit - BRE’s database
• The assurance of correspondence between CAT – BRE 982 and the rest of BREs from the network, as well as between SMEs in the region and other interested companies from EU
• The transmission of press releases and direct mails, e-mails and faxes to 80-100 SMEs

• The visit of 2 BRE Correspondents or companies from EU in Cluj-Napoca. There will be 10 local SMEs from that field of activity involved
• Offering help to 5-10 SMEs for completing BRE forms
• Introducing 5 Cooperation Profiles in the Central Unit - BRE’s database from Brussels
• The assurance of correspondence between CAT – BRE 982 and the rest of BREs from the network, as well as between SMEs in the region and other companies from EU interested
• The transmission of press releases and direct mails, e-mails and faxes to 80-100 SMEs

• Organizing a seminar referring to partnership, internationalization, globalization and e-commerce with the visit of an EU expert. It’s estimated 30 SMEs from Cluj-Napoca and from the nearest counties will participate at this 2-day seminar
• Offering support to 5-10 SMEs for completing BRE forms
• Introducing 5 Cooperation Profiles in the Central Unit - BRE’s database
• The assurance of correspondence between CAT – BRE 982 and the rest of BREs from the network, as well as between SMEs in the region and other companies from EU interested
• The transmission of press releases and direct mails, e-mails and faxes to 80-100 SMEs

• The visit of 3 BRE Correspondents or companies from EU in Cluj-Napoca. There will be 12 local SMEs from that field of activity involved
• Offering assistance to 5-10 SMEs for completing BRE forms
• Introducing 5 Cooperation Profiles in the Central Unit - BRE’s database
• The assurance of correspondence between CAT – BRE 982 and the rest of BREs from the network, as well as between SMEs in the region and other companies from EU interested
• The transmission of press releases and direct mails, e-mails and faxes to 80-100 SMEs

• Organizing a one-day seminar for the presentation and the promotion of the advantages and the usage with the BRE’s database
• Delegation in the Bistrita and Salaj counties to promote the BRE network and European Commission’s programmes. The target will be aproximately 20 companies, over a one-week
• Supporting 5-10 SMEs for completing BRE forms
• Introducing 5 Cooperation Profiles in the Central Unit - BRE’s database
• The assurance of correspondence between CAT – BRE 982 and the rest of BREs from the network, as well as between SMEs in the region and other companies from EU interested
• The transmission of press releases and direct mails, e-mails and faxes to 80-100 SMEs

• The visit of 2 BRE Correspondents or companies from EU in Cluj-Napoca. There will be 10 local SMEs from that field of activity involved
• Offering help to 5-10 SMEs for completing BRE forms
• Introducing 5 Cooperation Profiles in the Central Unit - BRE’s database
• The assurance of correspondence between CAT – BRE 982 and the rest of BREs from the network, as well as between SMEs in the region and other companies from EU interested
• The transmission of press releases and direct mails, e-mails and faxes to 80-100 SMEs

• The participation of a CAT – BRE 982 representative to the annual meeting of BRE Correspondents “Partnership 2000”
• Organizing a one-day seminar to present the subjects discussed at “Partnership 2000”. There will be approximately 50 participants.
• Offering help to 5-10 SMEs for completing BRE forms
• Introducing 5 Cooperation Profiles in the Central Unit - BRE’s database
• The assurance of correspondence between CAT – BRE 982 and the rest of BREs from the network, as well as between SMEs in the region and other companies from EU interested
• The transmission of press releases and direct mails, e-mails and faxes to 80-100 SMEs
• Presenting the semestrial report to DGXXIII

• Delegation in the Alba and Sibiu counties to promote BRE and the possibilities of international partnership offered by European Commission’s programmes with the participation of 20 potential interested companies
• Offering assistance to 5-10 SMEs for completing BRE forms
• Introducing 5 Cooperation Profiles in the Central Unit - BRE’s database
• The assurance of correspondence between CAT – BRE 982 and the rest of BREs from the network, as well as between SMEs in the region and other companies from EU interested
• The transmission of press releases and direct mails, e-mails and faxes to 80-100 SMEs

• The visit of 2 BRE Correspondents or companies from EU in Cluj-Napoca. There will be 10 local SMEs from that field of activity involved
• Offering assistance to 5-10 SMEs for completing BRE forms
• Introducing 5 Cooperation Profiles in the Central Unit - BRE’s database
• The assurance of correspondence between CAT – BRE 982 and the rest of BREs from the network, as well as between SMEs in the region and other companies from EU interested
• The transmission of press releases and direct mails, e-mails and faxes to 80-100 SMEs

• Offering support to 5-10 SMEs for completing BRE forms
• Introducing 5 Cooperation Profiles in the Central Unit - BRE’s database
• The assurance of correspondence between CAT – BRE 982 and the rest of BREs from the network, as well as between SMEs in the region and other companies from EU interested
• The transmission of press releases and direct mails, e-mails and faxes to 80-100 SMEs

• Two-day seminar to inform 20 managers, owners and specialists about the collaboration with BRE network and about the Single Market’s mechanisms and e-commerce
• Offering help to 5-10 SMEs for completing BRE forms
• Introducing 5 Cooperation Profiles in the Central Unit - BRE’s database
• The assurance of correspondence between CAT – BRE 982 and the rest of BREs from the network, as well as between SMEs in the region and other companies from EU interested
• The transmission of press releases and direct mails, e-mails and faxes to 80-100 SMEs

• The visit of 2 BRE Correspondents or companies from EU in Cluj-Napoca. There will be 10 local SMEs from that field of activity involved
• Offering assistance to 5-10 SMEs for completing BRE forms
• Introducing 5 Cooperation Profiles in the Central Unit - BRE’s database
• The assurance of correspondence between CAT – BRE 982 and the rest of BREs from the network, as well as between SMEs in the region and other companies from EU interested
• The transmission of press releases and direct mails, e-mails and faxes to 80-100 SMEs
• The presentation of the 2000 annual activity’s BRE report

• The presentation of the final report concerning the implementation of the project

1. Equipment                                            Euro

• Computer (1 PC X 1500 Euro)       1500
• Color printer (1 X 500 Euro)             500
• Copy machine (1 X 1500 Euro)       1500
• Internet Modem (1 X 350 Euro)        350
• Tel/fax machine (1 X 250 Euro)         250
• Cell phone (1 X 100 Euro)                100

CAT will cover by compensation with its member companies the expenses with the acquisition of the cell phone, the fax machine and the Internet modem.

2. Others:                     Euro

• Software            1000

B. Current expenses
1. Building rent                                                                                                            Euro

•  Space of 60 m X 300 Euro/month X 12 months                                                3600

2. The staff                                                                                                                     Euro

• BRE Correspondent (350 Euro/month  X 12 months)                                            4200
• Assistants of the BRE Correspondent  (3 pers X 250 Euro/month X 12 months)     9000

3. Raw materials                                                          Euro

• Consumables (100 Euro/month  X 12 months)    1200

4. Energy, heating                                                                              Euro

• Energy, heating, cleaning, guard (50 Euro/month X 12 months)   600

5. The promotion                                                            Euro

• Publicity campaigns (press, TV, radio)                 2000
• Promotional materials (brochures, banners etc.)    1000

Observations:
CAT will cover the promotional materials and the publicity campaigns in compensation with the CAT due of the advertising member companies, radio stations and TV stations.

6. Administrative costs                                                                                             Euro

• The expenses with phones, fax machines  (450 Euro/month X 12 months)       5400
• The expenses with e-mail and Internet (100 Euro/month X 12 months)            1200
• Transport: - internal delegations (100 Euro/month X 12 months)                      1200

                                                                                                               TOTAL   11500
Observations:
The expenses pertaining to phone and fax is expected to be covered by  “Phare Europa Programme”. Same as the expenses with the participation of the BRE 982 representative at the annual BRE reunion organized by DGXXIII in 2000 will be discounted.

CAT will pay the delegations and will cover in compensation the expenses with e-mail and Internet.

7. Other costs                                                                                                                                               Euro

• Organizing a seminar in Cluj-Napoca referring to partnership, internationalization, globalization and e-commerce with the participation of an expert from UE (2 days)                                                                            1200
• Organizing 4 seminars for BRE’s presentation, 1 day + cocktail (4 X 500 Euro)                                   2000
• Organizing visits for BRE representatives and UE companies in Cluj-Napoca (6 X 200 Euro)               1200
• Taxes                                                                                                                                                  3000
• Other unpredictable expenses                                                                                                               2500

From “Phare Europa Programme” is expected to be covered the expenses with the BRE promotional seminars.

THE TOTAL EXPENSES OF THE PROJECT (Euro)                          48200

THE TOTAL INCOMES OF THE PROJECT (Euro)                           48200
From which:

• Phare Europa Programme (Euro)                                                   32000
• Transylvania Business Center (Euro)                                               16200

Rapport:  June 2000, October 2000, December 2000, April 2001, August 2001, Final Report