The seven banks already involved in the mandatory private pensions market (pillar II) by establishing management companies have collected only 8% of the total number of participation contracts signed across the entire market, reveals data collected by ZIARUL FINANCIAR. Out of the 17 management companies whose mandatory pension funds have been authorised by the Private Pension Commission (CSSPP), seven were established by local banks, eight by insurance companies already present on the market, and two by financial groups that entered the market specifically to engage in the mandatory private pensions market. After the first month of sales, the total number of participation contracts signed and reported by the seven banks amounted to approximately 90,000, which accounts for 8% of over 1,167,000 contracts reported by the market.

Pharmaceuticals distributor Dornafarm could increase its share capital by 5.84 million RON (some 1.7 million euros) to a total of 7.2 million RON, with cash contributions from shareholders, the Suceava-based company announced. The proposal to increase the capital was approved during a general meeting. The shareholders will be able to subscribe shares from November 3 until December 3. Dornafarm will merge (as absorbing company) with Farmastop Services and Farmacia Gara de Nord, after shareholders rejected a merger with Sanrotex. The distributor's majority shareholder is pharmacist Ovidiu Constantin Rabanca, who holds 52.37% of shares, with the remainder divided among over 3,400 shareholders.

Renault commercial vehicle dealer Dedeman Camioane has opened a new centre in Bacau, which covers 3,000 square metres, with investments worth 3.2 million euros, the company announced. The complex, which is located on a 26,000 square metre plot of land, comprises of a service facility, a non-stop support centre, a spare parts warehouse, a car wash and an 8,000 square metre car park. According to the data from the Automotive Manufacturers and Importers Association, the sales of Renault trucks on the domestic market amounted to 2,105 units last year, compared with 609 units in 2005. Dedeman Camioane is part of the Dedeman group controlled by Adrian and Dragos Paval.

Red Bull Romania posted sales worth 10.3 million euros (34 million RON) in the first eight months of this year against the same time in 2006, which accounts for approximately 70% of the energy drinks market, according to the Nielsen data quoted by Red Bull. The producer's retail sales of energy drinks amounted, in terms of volume, to 1.4 million litres within eight months, an increase of 87% against the same time in 2006. The company's performance remains in line with this year's market growth. The company posted its highest sales in the summer season in 2007; a trend that was eventually witnessed over the entire market.