A NEW trading scheme could see Hampshire businesses flock to Eastern Europe after a new software platform was launched last Friday (October 25).

Potentially lucrative opportunities were discussed at the Winchester Guildhall when dozens of businessmen and politicians were introduced to a new initiative which promotes trade with Romania.

The online trading platform for Hampshire companies detailed procurement projects and other prospects throughout the emerging Balkan economy.

The launch followed the European Commission’s prediction for Romania’s economic growth to rise by as much as 2.25 per cent over the next financial year.

Calin Huma, CEO of Bridge, the British Romanian International Gateway Exchange, gave a live demonstration of the portal and spoke of his enthusiasm for the potential of future prospects for SMEs across both Hampshire and the Romanian region Dolj.

Mr Huma said: “It’s an event to show the politicians and business that there is a new way of trading. We are opening a new window into trade with countries in Europe and we want to make this trade very simple.

“Romania is a very interesting county for the UK at the moment and has huge levels of potential trading. It’s in line to receive £20 billion from the EU and we want to bring in British business and help Romania spend it.”

Olguta Vasilescu, Mayor of Dolj’s regional capital and main industrial centre, Craiova, said: “I hope we have more investment in the town. It’s important to know let others know what we can do because we have factories producing cars, planes and tractors; it’s a very industrial city. I want to talk about aviation and hope they are interested in looking at the prospects of what Hampshire businesses can do.”