With a population of 534,000 inhabitants, Dambovita is one of the most densely populated counties in Romania. Located in the southern part of the country, Dambovita has outstanding potential to become a regional leader, especially in oil production, metallurgical industry, electrical engineering, construction materials industry, and clothing industry. Adrian Tutuianu, President of Dambovita County Council, discusses the county’s potential and the council’s priorities.
What are some of the major challenges of Dambovita County?
Adrian Tutuianu: Dambovita County has excellent potential, equal and in some areas, even bigger than our neighbouring counties’, such as Prahova and Arges. However, our major challenge is definitely infrastructure, and improvements in this sector are indispensable for the progress of our county. Last year, Dambovita accessed a record amount of over €18 million in terms of investment and most of these assets were allocated to infrastructure improvement, but there is still more to be done. At this point, we are determined to attract EU funds to build safer roads from Targoviste to Bucharest, including a two-lane express road from Targoviste to Bucharest and an express road from Targoviste to Sinaia. We are counting on the support of the government which is necessary in order to attract EU funds for these and other infrastructure projects.
What projects are you currently focused on?
Adrian Tutuianu: Dambovita County Council completed a Waste Management Project which aims to develop the infrastructure of the domestic waste management, as well as to protect and improve the quality of the environment in Dambovita County and its surroundings. The project introduces a new system of selective waste collection, transportation, treatment and disposal in ecological cells, according to the European standards. By 2022, in Dambovita County water supply and sewerage services will reach the 100% coverage.
Furthermore, we are implementing the Project “Restoration and Consolidation of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House”, which aims to restore, conserve and protect the historical monument Gabriel Popescu Atelier House and thus to increase tourism and support the development of the local community.
What are Dambovita County Council’s future plans?
Adrian Tutuianu: We are working on increasing foreign investment by improving the investment conditions and sharing the positive experience of the current investors. There are several Turkish investors, like Arctic, and many others who are very satisfied with their decision to invest in Dambovita, especially thanks to the highly skilled workforce that our county offers. An example is the Renault Centre at Titu town, which is an excellent model of both investor satisfaction and positive impact on the development of the area. Furthermore, we are focused on developing tourism, especially agritourism, as well as aquaculture. With Dambovita County Council’s firm commitment and with support from the government we can make Dambovita a progress industrial centre.
