U.S. Embassy announces Arizona as the initially choosing state to establish a trade office in Romania
The Arizona House of Representatives has taken a significant step in strengthening its economic partnership with Romania, as well as Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans region, by establishing a trade office in Bucharest. This move marks a historic first for bilateral relations, as Arizona becomes the first US state to open a trade office in Romania.
The new office, funded with a budget of $125,000 allocated in Arizona’s fiscal year 2026 budget, is designed as a strategic platform to boost economic links, innovation, and business cooperation. Its purpose includes strengthening trade exchanges, fostering innovation, and promoting collaboration between business communities in Romania and Arizona.
The Arizona House of Representatives' decision to establish the office was made during the creation of the Committee for International Trade, which was approved in 2023. As part of the committee's plan, four new regional trade offices were adopted, with one in Romania being a part of the initiative.
The new office aims to support trade and economic cooperation between Arizona and Romania, as well as cover Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans. It will assist Arizona-based companies in exporting goods and services, conduct market research, identify potential sales partners or distributors, and support economic delegations at trade fairs and business events.
The Romanian Embassy to the United States made the announcement, citing ongoing dialogue and cooperation between Romanian and Arizona officials. The Romanian ambassador to the United States, Andrei Muraru, expects the office to support trade exchanges, innovation, and collaboration between business communities in both regions.
This development is expected to bring enhanced commercial ties and sustainable economic relations between Arizona and Romania, leading to increased bilateral trade and investment flows. It will also facilitate business connections and cooperation between companies and authorities in both regions, supporting Arizona companies to expand into European markets, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans.
Arizona currently has economic offices in Mexico, Israel, Germany, South Korea, and Taipei. This addition to their international presence underscores Arizona's recognition of Romania as a regional investment hub and its commitment to deepening economic partnerships with the United States.
The project to establish the Arizona economic representative office in Bucharest, Romania, was the result of discussions and visits that took place in 2023 and 2024. These discussions included meetings between Romanian diplomats and Arizona officials, visits by Romanian ministers and mayors to Arizona, and delegations from Arizona's House of Representatives to Romania.
In summary, the office is designed as a strategic platform to boost economic links, innovation, and business cooperation, benefiting both Arizona’s export-driven companies and Romania’s role as a regional economic hub. This move is a testament to the growing economic ties between the two regions and signifies a promising future for bilateral trade and investment.
The new office, funded through a budget allocated in Arizona’s fiscal year 2026 budget, will promote collaboration between business communities in Romania and Arizona, targeting strengthening trade exchanges, fostering innovation, and boosting economic links. This strategic platform is expected to facilitate business connections and cooperation between companies and authorities in both regions, supporting Arizona companies to expand into European markets, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans.
The Arizona House of Representatives, in establishing this office, aims to enhance commercial ties and sustain economic relations with Romania, leading to increased bilateral trade and investment flows. The office will assist Arizona-based companies in exporting goods and services, conduct market research, and identify potential sales partners or distributors, thereby furthering finance and business interactions.
