Forbes Romania continued its mission to connect ideas, people, and opportunities across continents through the second edition of Forbes Business Bridges 2025, held on October 8th at the iconic Forbes on Fifth in New York City.
Simona Florea, Consul General of Romania in New York, framed the second edition of Forbes Business Bridges 2025 around a strategic priority: turning Romania–U.S. connections into long-term value.
„Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, dear friends, it is a great honor to join you today at the Forbes Business Bridges Forum—an event that captures the spirit of our times by connecting innovation with opportunity and vision with action.
You may wonder: is diplomacy related to business? Absolutely. Today, diplomacy is an integral part of doing business. It helps establish and maintain strong relationships with foreign governments and stakeholders, reducing risks tied to political instability, corruption, and other non-commercial factors. Increasingly, diplomats and business leaders act together to build relationships, resolve conflicts, and advance their countries’ interests abroad.
Here in New York, my mission is to promote Romania and to support Romanian and U.S. partners in building, growing, and scaling their ventures—especially across the East Coast states served by our Consulate. Governments and businesses work hand in hand to open export markets, tackle global challenges, and create a synergistic path toward shared goals.
Romania and the United States share a relationship defined by trust, partnership, and a belief in the transformative power of entrepreneurship. Our transatlantic cooperation has evolved far beyond politics and defense into a dynamic ecosystem of ideas, innovation, and investment.
Today, Romania stands as one of Europe’s most vibrant digital hubs—a place where technology meets talent and resilience meets creativity. From cybersecurity and fintech to green technologies and smart infrastructure, Romanian companies are not just participating in the new digital frontier; they are helping to shape it.
As Consul General, I strive to build bridges not only between institutions but—most importantly—between people: between innovators and investors who see in Romania a reliable partner and a promising market. Our Consulate is here to support every initiative that brings our business communities closer, encourages bilateral investment, and fuels new opportunities for cooperation.
In an era defined by rapid change, resilience is our greatest asset—and resilience is built on openness. Our partnership embraces innovation, diversity, and a shared vision for sustainable growth.
I invite you to explore Romania not only as a business destination, but as a strategic hub for innovation. Let us continue to strengthen this transatlantic bridge—connecting the creativity of our entrepreneurs, the ingenuity of our engineers, and the determination of our investors. Together, we can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities and ensure that our partnership thrives across the new digital frontier.”