The European Commission has approved a €358 million (1.772 billion RON) Romanian scheme to support small and medium-sized enterprises (‘SMEs') affected by the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures that the Romanian government had to implement to limit the spread of the virus. The public support was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants for investments in productive activities, up to a maximum amount of €1 million (4934.3 RON) per beneficiary. The scheme will be open to SMEs active in sectors particularly affected by the coronavirus outbreak, such as processing industry, construction, wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, transport and storage. In order to be eligible, companies must have been established in Romania by 31 December 2018 and must have recorded operating profits over 2019. The scheme is expected to benefit 4,000 companies. The Commission found that the Romanian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €1.8 million per beneficiary; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2021. The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules.
Exim Banca Romaneasca diversifies its product portfolio and launches the Mastercard World card in EURO, a tool that enhances the payment experience for people who travel or work abroad, offering premium advantages, benefits, and rewards. The new EURO card from Exim Banca Romaneasca has as its main advantage the reduction of costs associated with transactions...
A report by cybersecurity company Refute uncovered a large-scale international influence operation targeting Romanian diaspora voters on TikTok ahead of the second round of Romania’s presidential elections on May 18. The report identifies approximately 32,500 TikTok videos containing slogans promoting the populist candidate George Simion and former candidate Călin Georgescu. Many of these videos are […]
Romania's gross domestic product (GDP) remained largely unchanged in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter, according to flash estimates published on May 15 by the National Institute of Statistics (INS). The economy recorded a growth of 0.2% in gross series and 0.5% in seasonally adjusted series compared to the same quarter of […]
Iulius Mall Suceava has officially inaugurated its EUR 40 million expansion that transformed it into “the largest retail and entertainment hub in northern Romania,” according to the official announcement. Developed by IULIUS and Atterbury Europe, the project adds 16,500 sqm of new retail space, bringing the mall's total area to 60,000 sqm. The expansion introduces […]
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced the launch of the second edition of its Star Venture program in Romania this week, following a first edition in 2022. The program provides high-potential startups with business expertise and access to finance. After the round of applications, 10 promising startups were shortlisted to showcase their […]
Non-profit BookLand started building last year a pre-university, dual-system campus in the village of Vultureşti, in southern Romania’s Argeş county. The campus will train pupils in various specializations, allowing them to work in industries ranging from hotels & restaurants to retail and food. More on how the project got off the ground and what it […]
