• Romania makes debut in Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA with two companies in top 100;
• 11 Central European companies are placed in the top 100;
• 44 Central European companies have made the ranking this year, the highest in the history of the competition;
• 9 countries from Central European region have made the ranking, also the most in the history of the competition.

Bucharest, November 27 – AROBS Transilvania Software and TeamNet International ranked among the first 100 companies of this year’s Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA, which recognizes technology companies with the fastest rates of annual revenue growth in Europe, the Middle East and Africa over the past five years. With a 2,722.34% rate of growth, Cluj-Napoca-based AROBS Transilvania Software ranked 49, while the Bucharest firm TeamNet International came on the 71st position (+ 2,028,14%).

Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA ranks public and private technology companies from 23 countries in the EMEA region, with a minimum revenue of 50,000 Euro in year one. The Fast 500 is researched by Deloitte’s Global Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) Group. The program is supported by the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 initiatives, which rank high-growth technology companies by location or specifically defined geographic area. This year, Romania has joined the program for the first time and had a successful debut, with three qualified companies for the Central European region: AROBS Transilvania Software (number 5), TeamNet International (7) and LASTING Software from Timișoara (number 38).

“This latest result is, without a doubt, a performance for the Romanian technology industry,” underlined George Mucibabici, Chairman of Deloitte Romania. “With two companies in the top 100, Romania sends a strong signal to the world. We have so far been perceived as one of the most important outsourcing destination in the world; now we are proving that there is great potential on the Intellectual Property side as well, a potential which matches the Central European region’s one.” Top 100 also includes three Polish companies, two Hungarian, two from the Czech Republic and one firm each from Croatia and Slovakia. The highest Central European ranked company was Blue Media, with a 10,026.89% growth. Placed on the 6th position, the Polish firm is the second highest ranked Central European company in the history of this top.

“The global economic deterioration expected next year will affect this industry as well. However, Romania is still a country with a limited technology penetration rate and this disadvantage has proven to be a hindrance for economic development,” Mucibabici continued. “I am therefore confident that investments in this respect will continue, thus providing Romanian specialized companies with the right stimulus for further growth.”

Key trends resulted from this year’s Deloitte Technology Fast 500 
• The software sector continues to dominate the ranking, making up 197 of the 500 companies; This is followed by Internet/Media with 98 and Telecommunications/Networking with 64;
• The environment is playing an increasingly important part in the operations of EMEA, with 21% of surveyed companies saying they pay attention to waste reduction. However, 19% of respondents admitted they are doing nothing at all to address environmental concerns. This was in contrast to the Asia-Pacific region where only 12% said they are not yet implementing programs to protect the environment;
• The Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA shows a decrease in average growth rates over the prior year with the Top 500 growing by 1,297% in 2008 compared to a record-breaking 1,443% last year which is still impressive in this turbulent economy;
• France has the most ranked companies with 75 out of 500, closely followed by the UK with 69. The two countries switched positions from last year;
• The UK has two companies in the Top 5 this year claiming first and third place;
• Hard on their heels are the emerging tech club of Israel, Scandinavia, Ireland and the Netherlands.

Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA CEO Survey 
Deloitte is also announcing the 2008 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA CEO Survey - a comprehensive analysis of the business trends and background statistics of the winning companies and a summary of the key concerns and expectations of technology sector CEOs.

Some of the key trends are: 
• Confidence remains high despite world-wide economic turbulence, with 58% of this year’s CEOs saying they were “extremely” or “very confident” of managing the same growth rates over the coming two years. While this percent is lower than last year’s 78%, this year more CEOs recorded being “somewhat confident” than last year with the number increasing from 20% to 37%;
• A large number, 37% of CEOs surveyed have not yet experienced a significant impact from the downturn in the global economy. However, 30% responded that they are reviewing their strategy in light of recent economic conditions;
• Good technology people are still hard to find. Finding, hiring and retaining qualified employees is still the greatest operational challenge for 42% of CEOs, similar to last year.

Notes 
Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA CEO Survey 2008 This report is a comprehensive analysis of the business trends and background statistics of the winning companies as well as a summary of the key concerns and expectations of sector CEOs. It can be downloaded from www.deloitte.com/fast500emea.

About The Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA 
The Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA program is the region’s most objective industry-ranking standard to focus on the technology field. It was created in 2000 to recognize the effort and dedication of the 500 fastest-growing technology companies in EMEA and includes all areas of technology, from Internet to biotechnology, from medical and scientific to computers/hardware. It includes both public and private companies. The awards, which have been running in EMEA for seven years, are based on five-year average percentage revenue growth. Frequently asked questions are answered on www.deloitte.com/fast500emea. Details of the winning companies including breakdowns by country, industry sector and ranking will be available at www.deloitte.com/fast500emea. This year the program has been supported by UK Trade & Investment.

About Deloitte Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) 
The Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (DTT) Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) Industry Group consists of the TMT practices organized in the various member firms of DTT and includes more than 6,000 member firm partners, directors and senior managers supported by thousands of other professionals dedicated to helping their clients evaluate complex issues, develop fresh approaches to problems and implement practical solutions. There are dedicated TMT member firm practices in 45 countries and centers of excellence in the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific. DTT’s member firms serve nearly 90 percent of the TMT companies in the Fortune Global 500. Clients of Deloitte’s member firms’ TMT practices include some of the world’s top software companies, computer manufacturers, wireless operators, satellite broadcasters, advertising agencies and semiconductor foundries – as well as leaders in publishing, telecommunications and peripheral equipment manufacturing.

This publication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, its member firms, or its and their affiliates are, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your finances or your business. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. None of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, its member firms, or its and their respective affiliates shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this publication.

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About Deloitte 
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About Deloitte Central Europe 
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About Deloitte Romania 
In Romania, the services are provided by Deloitte Audit S.R.L., Deloitte Tax S.R.L., Deloitte Consultanta S.R.L. and Reff & Associates SCA (jointly referred to as "Deloitte Romania") which are affiliates of Deloitte Central Europe Holdings Limited. Deloitte Romania is one of the leading professional services organizations in the country providing services in five professional areas-audit, tax, consulting, financial advisory and risk services through over 450 national and specialized expatriate professionals.