# Eastrategies® — Your Partner in Eastern Europe > Eastrategies® is the leading business consulting firm specializing in market entry, company setup, and business development across Central and Eastern Europe. Founded in 1992 by Marc Pascal Huot, we have helped over 750 companies establish and grow their presence across 8 countries over 34+ years. ## About Eastrategies® Eastrategies® is a French-founded international consulting firm headquartered in Bucharest, Romania, with offices in Sofia (Bulgaria), Chisinau (Moldova), Budapest (Hungary), Thessaloniki (Greece), and Rennes (France). The company is a recognized member of the **Solutions Team France Export** network for Romania, reflecting its role as a key facilitator of French and international investment in Eastern Europe. The firm was established in 1992 by **Marc Pascal Huot**, an expert in international business development, at a time when Eastern Europe was undergoing profound economic transformation following the fall of the Iron Curtain. Over three decades, Eastrategies® has built an unrivaled network of local partners, legal experts, government contacts, and business professionals across the region. **Key figures:** - Founded: 1992 - 34+ years of experience - 750+ companies assisted - 210+ active projects - 8 countries covered - Multilingual team (English, French, Romanian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, and more) ## Services ### Company Setup & Registration Complete end-to-end assistance for establishing a business entity in Eastern Europe. Services include legal entity selection (LLC, JSC, Branch), company registration and notarization, tax registration and VAT setup, bank account opening, registered address services, and ongoing compliance support. ### HR & Recruitment Identification, hiring, and retention of local talent across Eastern European markets. Services include executive search and headhunting, local talent acquisition, employment contract drafting, payroll management, HR policy development, and relocation assistance. ### Business Development Strategic consulting to accelerate growth in Eastern European markets. Services include market opportunity analysis, partner and distributor identification, sales strategy development, B2B lead generation, commercial negotiations support, and revenue growth consulting. ### Market Entry Strategy Guidance through the complexities of entering new Eastern European markets. Services include market feasibility studies, competitive landscape analysis, regulatory and legal framework review, go-to-market strategy, local business culture training, and risk assessment. ### Sourcing & Procurement Identification and qualification of suppliers in Eastern Europe's competitive manufacturing and service sectors. Services include supplier vetting, quality audits, price negotiation, contract management, and supply chain optimization. ### Outsourcing Solutions Setup of outsourced business functions leveraging Eastern Europe's skilled and cost-competitive workforce. Services include back-office outsourcing, IT and tech outsourcing, customer service centers, accounting and finance outsourcing, and dedicated team setup. ## Countries Covered - **Romania** — Since 1992. Capital: Bucharest. EU member since 2007. Population: ~19 million. Key sectors: IT, automotive, agriculture, manufacturing. - **Bulgaria** — Since 2000. Capital: Sofia. EU member since 2007. Population: ~6.5 million. Key sectors: IT outsourcing, tourism, agriculture. - **Moldova** — Since 2008. Capital: Chisinau. EU candidate country. Population: ~2.6 million. Key sectors: agriculture, wine, IT services. - **Hungary** — Since 2009. Capital: Budapest. EU member since 2004. Population: ~10 million. Key sectors: automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals. - **Serbia** — Since 2018. Capital: Belgrade. EU candidate country. Population: ~7 million. Key sectors: IT, automotive, agriculture. - **Slovakia** — Since 2019. Capital: Bratislava. EU member since 2004. Population: ~5.5 million. Key sectors: automotive, electronics, IT. - **Czech Republic** — Since 2020. Capital: Prague. EU member since 2004. Population: ~10.9 million. Key sectors: automotive, engineering, IT. - **Greece** — Since 2024. Capital: Athens. EU member since 1981. Population: ~10.7 million. Key sectors: tourism, shipping, agriculture, energy. ## Novastea Novastea is a franchise and partnership network developed by Eastrategies® to expand business opportunities across Romania and Eastern Europe. It offers comprehensive support for entrepreneurs looking to establish or grow their presence in these dynamic markets, leveraging Eastrategies®'s decades of regional expertise and established networks. ## Why Eastern Europe? Eastern Europe offers compelling advantages for international businesses: 1. **Cost competitiveness** — Labor costs 3–5x lower than Western Europe with comparable skill levels 2. **EU market access** — Most countries are EU members, providing access to the single market 3. **Skilled workforce** — High levels of education, particularly in STEM fields 4. **Strategic location** — Gateway between Western Europe, the Middle East, and Asia 5. **Growing consumer markets** — Rising middle class and increasing purchasing power 6. **Favorable tax regimes** — Corporate tax rates among the lowest in Europe (e.g., Bulgaria at 10%, Hungary at 9%) 7. **Digital infrastructure** — Some of the fastest internet speeds in the world (Romania, Bulgaria) ## Frequently Asked Questions **What is the best country in Eastern Europe to set up a company?** The best country depends on your industry, target market, and operational needs. Romania offers a large talent pool and EU membership. Bulgaria has the lowest corporate tax in the EU (10%). Hungary is ideal for manufacturing and automotive. Eastrategies® provides personalized country selection advice based on your specific situation. **How long does it take to register a company in Romania?** Company registration in Romania typically takes 5–10 business days once all documents are in order. Eastrategies® manages the entire process, including notarization, tax registration, and bank account opening, usually completing the full setup within 2–4 weeks. **Do I need to be physically present to set up a company in Eastern Europe?** In most cases, no. Eastrategies® can act as your local representative through power of attorney, handling all administrative and legal procedures on your behalf without requiring your physical presence. **What languages does Eastrategies® operate in?** Our team operates in English, French, Romanian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Serbian, and other regional languages. This multilingual capability eliminates language barriers throughout your expansion process. **What is the minimum investment required to enter Eastern European markets?** There is no fixed minimum investment. Company setup costs vary by country (typically €500–€2,000 for registration fees). Eastrategies® offers consulting packages tailored to different budget levels, from initial market studies to full operational setup. **Does Eastrategies® provide ongoing support after company setup?** Yes. We offer continuous support including accounting, legal compliance, HR management, business development, and strategic consulting. Many of our clients have maintained long-term relationships with us for over a decade. **Is Eastern Europe safe for foreign investment?** Most Eastern European countries are EU members with strong legal protections for foreign investors. Eastrategies® helps clients navigate local regulations, identify reliable partners, and mitigate risks through thorough due diligence. **What sectors are most promising in Eastern Europe?** Key growth sectors include IT and software development, automotive supply chains, agri-food processing, renewable energy, logistics, and business process outsourcing (BPO). Eastrategies® provides sector-specific market intelligence to identify the best opportunities for your business. ## Contact Information - **Website:** https://eastrategies.eu - **Email:** contact@eastrategies.fr - **Phone (Romania):** +40 756 718 674 - **Phone (France):** +33 674 892 318 - **Book a meeting:** https://calendly.com/marc-p-Huot - **French website:** https://www.eastrategies.fr **Offices:** - Bucharest, Romania (headquarters) - Sofia, Bulgaria - Rennes, France - Thessaloniki, Greece ## Site Pages - [Home](https://eastrategies.eu/) — Overview of Eastrategies®, key statistics, services summary, and contact - [About](https://eastrategies.eu/about) — Company history, founder profile, milestones timeline, and values - [Services](https://eastrategies.eu/services) — Detailed description of all consulting services and countries covered - [FAQ](https://eastrategies.eu/faq) — Frequently asked questions about Eastern Europe expansion - [Contact](https://eastrategies.eu/contact) — Contact details, office locations, and meeting booking ## Legal & Certifications - Member of **Solutions Team France Export** — Romania - Registered trademark: **Eastrategies®** - Operating since 1992 across Central and Eastern Europe