The Savings and Investments Union (SIU) can act as a powerful accelerator for Romania’s capital market and other growing European markets, provided that European initiatives translate into practical opportunities across all Member States, Alexandru Petrescu, President of the Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF), said on Wednesday at the HCMC Symposium in Athens.
Speaking during a panel discussion on the Future of European Capital Markets and the Savings and Investments Union, Petrescu emphasized the need to combine European scale with strong local access points to deepen capital markets and improve financing opportunities for the real economy.
“The SIU can be a powerful accelerator for Romania and other growing markets, provided that European initiatives translate into practical opportunities across all Member States,” Alexandru Petrescu said.
According to the ASF President, the SIU has the potential to channel savings into long-term investment, increase the supply of investable companies and reduce the practical barriers that continue to separate national capital markets from European capital.
“Our objective should be European scale combined with strong local access points, delivering more investors, deeper liquidity, stronger Romanian issuers and more financing for the real economy,” Petrescu stated.
He also highlighted the importance of ensuring that European capital-market integration generates tangible benefits for investors and companies at national level, particularly in markets with significant growth potential.
The ASF President welcomed the opportunity to exchange views with European policymakers and market leaders during the Athens forum.
“The perspectives shared by Vassiliki Koularmani (HCMC), Iliana Lani (ESMA), Prof. Chiara Mosca (CONSOB), Agathi Pafili (Capital Group) and Carlos San Basilio (CNMV) enriched a valuable discussion on how Europe can build deeper, more competitive and more integrated capital markets,” Petrescu said.
The discussions at the symposium focused on strengthening the competitiveness of European capital markets through greater integration, investment and innovation, as well as on the role of the Savings and Investments Union in mobilizing private capital across the European Union.
“My thanks to the Hellenic Capital Market Commission for hosting the forum and to all participants for the insightful exchange on strengthening Europe’s competitiveness through investment and innovation,” Alexandru Petrescu added.