Cristian Sfichi (Thales Group): We are hiring around 250 software engineers in Romania/ We are closely looking after the corvette program

Thales Group is hiring around 250 software engineers in Romania, who will be working in a regional competences center, to provide command and control softs for rails, stated Cristian Sfichi, development director for Thales Systems Romania.

“Currently we are hiring 250 software engineers. We have a regional competences software development center, we are providing command and control softs for rails and not only for Romania, but the entire Europe”, said, in an interview for the Defence and Security Monitor and MEDIAFAX, Cristian Sfichi, Development, Defence and Security Director for Thales Systems Romania.

We are presenting the entire interview:

“Reporter: Where is Romania now on Thales businesses interest map?

Cristian Sfichi: Romania entered Thales interest map 30 years ago. However, in the last period, especially in last years, this interest became more and more accentuated, given the geopolitical situation, but also the announced endowment programs.

From this point of view, the company tracks the corvette program, frigates’ modernization program, the short and very short range of action missile program. There is a number of programs that are centerpieces for my colleagues. I, as the embassy of all Thales bases, I am trying to mediate this interest.

Reporter: Talking about interests, what are your goals in 2018, regarding Romania?

Cristian Sfichi: We do not have many firm objectives in 2018. We know very well that for the military programs the negotiations and parameters definition take a lot. Hence, we are trying to track the signals that the Defence Ministry is sending and we think that at least one of the programs, the corvette ones, is on track. The other programs are just at the discussions, planning, technical details phase.

Hence, 2018 is the year wherein, fingers crossed, we are hoping to make some progresses on the corvette program.

Reporter: What do you think, as a company, about the 2% from GDP for Defence?

Cristian Sfichi: It is very attractive, because it has been increased from insignificant values at a global level, and it places us among the first, or some of the first, European buyers. From this point of view, the fact that Romania passed to 2% from GDP draw an extraordinary attention, not only from companies, but governments too. Because, when Romania said that it will spend those 2%, other European governments, which do not spend that amount, are quite envious, while we could say we are proud. Everyone says that 2% from Romania’s GDP means 1 billion per year. These are extremely high amounts, not only for Romania, but for other countries throughout the world too.

We must be very proud that we made this step, it was necessary.

For us, as the Thales company, it is normal.

Reporter: What do you think about Romania’s businesses environment?  Which are its issues? Advantages?

Cristian Sfichi: It is a European business environment. I do not think that we are more or less different than the other states, at least not than the ones in the region. We have our ups and downs, of course, in some matters. However, I think it is quite difficult to develop, in Romania, as well as in other European country, a military program with such a complexity, not just financially speaking, but also politically, geopolitically and technically.

It is an environment similar to any other European country. I do not see a problem with that.

Reporter: Advantages may offer compensation for problems…

Cristian Sfichi: We have advantages regarding two aspects: Firstly, products’ quality. Thales is known for being a market leader in many fields. Secondly, we have experience on the Romanian market. Currently, we are hiring 250 software engineers. We have a regional competences software development center, we are providing command and control softs for rails and not only for Romania, but the entire Europe.

So, we kind of know which are market’s issues, labor force, which are the advantages, the benefits and how can we move faster than our competitors, that do not have a presence on the market.

Reporter: Do you think Romania is a stable country with a stable government?

Cristian Sfichi: Absolutely. It is a stable country. Alike any European country, we have ups and downs. I was looking at Germany. I was looking at Italy recently. I was looking at Belgium a few years ago. Hence, I do not think we are different.

Maybe there are times when we think we have less than others. But, if we analyze the other countries, we are there.

Reporter: Thank you.

Cristian Sfichi: Thank you.”

(Interview by Indira Crasnea).