Nokia answers Dracula's call - Business - Evening Standard
       

Nokia answers Dracula's call

Nokia is the latest global player to relocate factories to Romania as the Cluj region of Dracula's homeland attracts Western companies by offering cheap land, labour and tax breaks.

More than 40 companies have moved there since 2005. Among them are Vodafone and Orange, as well as German and US software developers.

Three supply companies are also shifting to be near Nokia, which has pulled manufacturing operations out of over-taxed, overpriced and over-regulated Germany. Cluj's population has grown to half a million in recent years as newcomers have shown up because of the job opportunities.

A big attraction for companies is inexpensive labour - the average monthly wage is €200 (£160). The main question potential investors have when they tour Cluj is whether they can find enough workers to open up there.

Comments

Don't Miss
Rock star: Erin Wasson

Rock star

Erin Wasson is the ultimate anti-supermodel
Maybe it’s because she’s a Londoner … Happy anniversary, Ma’am

Happy anniversary

The monarchy has become stronger and more respected in the past 60 years
Victoria Coren: My obsession with children, five proposals a week and why David and I are no power couple

Victoria Coren

David Mitchell and I are no power couple
The Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party

Summer party

Stars at the The Royal Academy of Arts
London gets ready for the Diamond Jubilee - in pictures

Diamond Jubilee

London gets ready - in pictures
The Glamour Awards - stars turn on the style

Glamour Awards

Stars turn on the style
Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink at her first Buckingham Palace garden party

Garden party

Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink
FIRST review of Ridley Scott's latest sci-fi blockbuster Prometheus

First review

Is Ridley Scott's Prometheus any good?
Fair-weather goths

Fair-weather goths

The sultry shades of summer darks are coming out of the shadows
Dog save the Queen: Corgis surge in popularity

Dog save the Queen

Corgis surge in popularity