OMV Petrom (BVB: SNP), the largest energy company in Romania, no longer buys crude oil from Russia for consumption at the Romanian refinery, company officials told Economica.net. Even if it is going to be more expensive, OMV Petrom will seek to buy crude oil from other sources. By its decision, OMV Petrom follows a trend of an informal ban on Russian oil that will probably soon become formal in Europe - after such a ban was enacted in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. While sanctions on Russian natural gas are unlikely at this point because of the economic damage they would cause, Europe could better withstand an embargo on Russian oil. "We have chosen not to process crude oil from Russia. We bring non-Russian crude oil, it may originate from ex-Soviet republics - but not Russia. We also look to North or West Africa [for oil supplies]. We also have the offer of crude oil from Kazakhstan on the table. But all purchases are made through our London office (OMV Trading), which looks at all options for purchases," said Radu Caprau, a member of Petrom's management responsible for refining and marketing. "Russian oil would have been delivered at a discount, but we are not buying. It is our way of sanctioning Russia. It was our decision and that of the OMV group, they are going in the same direction as well," the official explained.
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 […]
Armenian Street Pop-Up: All That Jazz, an event focusing on the city’s Armenian neighborhood, community and living heritage, takes place on the weekend of May 24 – May 25. The first edition, meant as an overture to the Armenian Street Festival, brings to the fore the cultural heritage of the Armenian community in Romania and […]
One year after its launch, Attractive Romania/România Atractivă - part of Romania's first national program dedicated to cultural tourism - announced major milestones, including more than 280,000 active users and over 60,000 downloads of its mobile app. The platform has become the second most popular Romanian tourism app, after Munții Noștri. Initiated by the Ministry […]
