The Conference “Trans-European co-operation: Information technologies and policies to support the Romanian new Economy” was held in Cluj-Napoca on the 14th- 15th December 2001 and was organized by Transilvania Business Center (CAT) together with: Cluj County Prefecture, University“Babes - Balyai”, Employers and Handcraft Association. 

Important technical and financial support was given by the ENERGIA PROJECT CONSORTIUM, and in particular by  Mr. Eric Boudon (France). 

Two months before the conference 500 invitations were sent out: government representatives; small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) from the following sectors: industry, IT, trade, construction, transports, tourism, etc.;universities; research centres; non-profit organizations; local public administration. The invitations were sent in the following counties: Cluj, Alba Iulia, Salaj, Maramures, Bistrita-Nasaud, other Transilvania region counties. 

340 registration forms were filled in and sent to the Conference secretariat organized by Transilvania Business Center (CAT). From these 180 representatives participated at the Conference on the 14th and 15th December 2001. 

Special attendees to this Conference were the partners from the IST Programme ENERGIA from France, Greece, Belgium, and Russia. 

Mr. Bror Salmelin – Head of Unit, ElectronicCommerce, represented the European Commission at this event in Cluj-Napoca. 

During the Conference the speakers delivered quality presentations accordingto the attached “Conference Programme”. Discussionsand clarifications followed the speakers’ presentations. 

The Conference was honoured by the presence and presentations of Mr.Vasile Puscas - the Romanian Delegate Chief Negotiator Minister, Mr.Dan Nica - Romanian IT Minister, prof. Univ.dr. Andrei Marga - the rector of “Babes-Balyai” University, Mr. Iosif Pop – the president of Banca Transilvana, dr. Radu-AdrianMlesnita - the president of Transilvania Business Center and important managers, parliamentary, academicians, local media and authorities from the Cluj and Transylvania region. 

Important speeches were presented by the ENERGIA Consortium partners: Ms.Catherine Ledig – Managing Director of ADEC (France), Mr.Thanos Contargyris – President of  Dialogos (Greece), Mr.Pierre Vansteenkiste – Privafin (Belgium). 

The plenary meetings and the discussions were chaired by Mr.Bror Salmelin, Mr. Eric Boudon, and Dr.Radu-Adrian Mlesnita. 

Unfortunately Mr. Ioan Rus – Romanian Minister of Interior and Mr. VasileDancu – Romanian Minister of Public Information did not have the possibilityto join the Conference and to chair the round-tables. The co-chairman Augustin Fenesan and prof.univ.dr. Andrei Marga therefore successfully ran theseround-tables. 

As regarding the promotion of the event and the ENERGIA project: 

- 500 invitation and Conference presentations were sent by direct mail and handled personally to the companies, universities, public institutions, media and more; 
- a live TV show was organized with the participation of Dr. Radu-AdrianMlesnita, Mr. Eric Boudon and Mr. Octavian Cristea – director of Cluj County Prefecture to the local TV station “Tele Europa Nova” on Wednesday, 13thDecember 2001; 
- two press conferences were organized at the Prefecture for presenting the Energia Project and the Conference; 
- on Saturday, 15th  December  2001 Mr. Radu-Adrian Mlesnita, Mr. Eric Boudon, Mr. Petre Tamas and Mr. Bror Salmelin presented the Conference results; 
- the local and central newspapers published press releases on the Energia Project and the Conference before, during and after the Conference; 
- the national and international Radio Romania interviewed Mr. BrorSalmelin; 
- the national TV stations TVR, ProTV, Antena 1, Prima and the local station NCN, Tele EUROPA NOVA presented Mr. Bror Salmelin and the Energia Delegation on the news; 
- the national, regional and local newspapers, both in Romanian and Hungarian language, presented information, and photos concerning the meetingand the European Union and ENERGIA Delegation. 

Mr. Bror Salmelin had meetings with the Prefect and the Subprefect of Cluj County, the vice-president of the County Council, the Romanian ITMinister, the Romanian Delegate Chief Negotiator Minister, the rector andtwo pro-rectors of “Babes-Bolyai” University, the president of TransilvaniaBusiness Center, the president of  Banca Transilvania, the president of Employers and Handcraft Association, Romanian deputies and parliamentaries, the mayor of Cluj-Napoca, Targu Lapus, Galgau and other important persons from the Transilvania region. 

The European Union flag was hoisted for the first time on one of the most important cultural institutions in Romania, located in the central square of Cluj-Napoca: Romanian Opera and National Theatre, which is the first Transilvanian stage. 

There were discussion and visits to the following companies selected for future integration into EC projects: 

- IT equipment and software:  Brinel1, 2; CG&GC Co; ASTRAL. 
- Garments and underwear: Jolidon and Adris Collection, Fashion Design Section of Cluj Art University, Flacara, Tofeni (participants to the Transilvania Fashion Festival). 
- Cosmetics: Farmec 

At the end of the Conference 25 participants filled in the evaluation questionnaire: 10 private companies (under 10 employees), 4 private companies(between 10-50 employees), 3 private companies (over 50 employees), 0 research centres, 1 University, 3 non-profit organization, 2 public administration,1 bank, 1 from UE Company (Belgium). The general impression of the Conference was positive, but it was noticed the less involvement of the administration in the discussions, especially regarding SME problems and legislative aspects. 

We can conclude that the Conference was a success for all parties. 
 

Dr. Radu-Adrian Mlesnita
Centrul de Afaceri Transilvania (CAT) 
Site : www.e-cat.ro