Romania secures third place at International Business and Finance Olympiad

The International Business and Finance Olympiad (IBFO) recently concluded in Bucharest, where Romania proudly claimed third place among seven finalist delegations from three continents. The competition, organized by the Romanian Excellence Centre in Economics (RECE), showcased the talents of young economists and finance enthusiasts from Greece, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, New Zealand, Poland, and Romania.

Romania's success was highlighted by the Bronze award for the financial report, a testament to the hard work and dedication of its team members. Ava Moldovan from the Cambridge School of Bucharest, Robert Bercea from the British International School of Timișoara, Bogdan Miheț from Colegiul Național „Sfântul Sava”, Andrei-Vlad Petcu from Colegiul Național de Informatică „Tudor Vianu”, and Mircea Andrei Huidu from the International School of Bucharest represented the country with impressive performances.

The competition, held from August 2 to 6, 2026, featured unique challenges, including two rounds without internet access. Participants were permitted to use artificial intelligence tools only for their final presentation preparation, ensuring a level playing field.

New Zealand topped the overall ranking, followed closely by Poland in second place. Jacob Samuel, team leader of the New Zealand delegation, expressed appreciation for the productive meetings with representatives from ASE and BCR, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the event.

The opening ceremony took place at the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest, with academic activities held in the Aula Magna and FABIZ. The final jury comprised esteemed figures such as Cristian Honciu, Ileana Botez, Ioana Pârvu, conf. univ. dr. Roxana Voicu-Dorobanțu, and Mihaela Radu, who evaluated the participants' efforts.

In addition to the competition, RECE will be launching a new series of free courses in September 2026 aimed at students looking to enhance their analytical skills. Registration details and the calendar for the 2026-2027 academic year will be available on www.rece.com.ro. RECE continues to be a vital educational initiative in Romania, dedicated to providing advanced training in economics, business, and finance.