The National Strategy and Prognosis Commission (CNSP) revised downwards to 2.9% the growth estimate of the Romanian economy for this year, from 4.3% as previously forecast.In the spring version of the Medium-Term Forecast, CNSP shows that the overlap of shocks (the geopolitical context, successive increases in energy prices and altered global supply chains) exacerbates risks and uncertainties on the economy, while affecting short-term business expectations. .The estimates published by CNSP are in line with the forecasts of the international financial institutions, which have significantly decreased the growth targets of the Romanian economy this year. Thus, the IMF was recently estimating an advance of 2.2% for 2022, from 4.8% in the autumn, while the World Bank indicated an even more modest increase for Romania's GDP of 1.9%.For the current account deficit, CSNP foresees the maintenance of the indicator at high values in the current year (-6.9% of GDP), against the background of a growing trade deficit, amplified by the price increases. Positive corrections are expected in the medium term.The estimated level of price increase is slightly higher than the previous forecasts, respectively 9.7% compared to 9.5% for the end of the year, and 10.1% compared to 9.9% as an annual average."Recent government support measures for the vulnerable population, as well as measures to increase the minimum wage in agriculture and the food industry, will keep the dynamics of purchasing power at positive values (about + 0.7%), given a high average annual inflation (+ 10.1%)," the cited source states.For 2022, the average gross earnings are estimated to increase by 9.7%, to a level of 6,120 RON, and the number of employees will record an advance of 1.6%. The BIM unemployment rate will continue to fall this year to 5.4%.The draft budget for 2022 was set at an economic growth of 4.6%.
Romania was formally designated the 43rd country to join the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) on Friday, January 10. According to the Romanian ambassador to Washington, Andrei Muraru, Romanian citizens will be able to travel to the US without the need for a visa starting March 31, 2025. "Romania becomes the first country in the […]
Cluj-Napoca, the city in Romania with some of the highest rents and a fast-growing IT industry, is closer to banning smoking in playgrounds and parks after mayor Emil Boc expressed his support for the measure. The mayor cited the prioritization of public health as the reason behind such a ban. He mentioned that he has […]
Romania's Sibiu County Emergency Clinical Hospital will receive a robotic system to prepare cytostatic drugs needed by cancer patients, along with other equipment, after the County Council obtained funds from the European Regional Development Fund. With an estimated value of EUR 1 million, the "Robotic Composition System for Sterile Preparations of Cytostatic Drugs" is among […]
Romania’s government adopted in its January 10 meeting a decision granting an extra day off to public sector employees at the beginning of May. Thus, Friday, May 2, will be an official day off for public sector workers, linking the legal holiday of May 1 (Labor Day) with the weekend (May 3-4). This...
The Ministry of Environment announced that 2024 was the hottest year in the history of Romania's meteorological records. Red alerts for heat waves began in June of 2024, with the longest consecutive periods of persistent and intense heat waves, six consecutive days, between July 13-18 and August 15-20. "The year 2024 is the hottest year...
Supporters of former presidential candidate Călin Georgescu gathered outside the Parliament Palace in Bucharest, which houses the Constitutional Court, on January 10, demanding a rerun of the second round of the presidential elections. The protest, dubbed "The Great Judicial Union," was initiated by Georgescu, who called on his supporters to challenge the election annulment, as […]
