Anglo-Romanian Economic Relations during the Reign of Alexandru Ioan Cuza

Abstract

Abstract: It may seem that during the reign of Alexandru Ioan Cuza, England occupied the position of front-rank economic partner of the United Principalities. In what concerns its international economic domination policy, the United Principalities played a small role in the economic strategies of  the City of London. However, the political complications from 1861-1865 have pushed British investors to seek new sales markets. Under these circumstances, the United Principalities have shown leadership as special provinces of the Ottoman Empire. The English showed an interest in investing in the credit system from Romania, the British capital of  the Imperial Ottoman Bank giving rise to the establishment of the Romanian banks. Moreover, various credit institutions from Great Britain have received concessions for building the road and railway infrastructure from Romania. The current analysis focuses on one of  the still unknown aspects of the Anglo-Romanian relations: that of the entry of British investments on the Romanian market in 1862-1866.