The government adopted on last Wednesday two measures to support farm producers affected by drought, providing for financial compensation and the legal suspension of the repayment of current and outstanding loans until August 2025.The decision comes as more than 230,000 farm producers (individuals, companies or family businesses) were hit by drought between September 2023 and August 2024, and provides for drought relief grants in the amount of RON 1,000 for each affected hectare, government spokesman Mihai Constantin said. The aid is disbursable based on a damage assessment minute acknowledging that the affected area is at least 30%. The budget of this state aid scheme is RON two billion.Another measure adopted by the government to support farmers who had difficulties this year provides for the possibility of legally suspending the repayment of current and overdue loans due in 2024, until August 1, 2025. The facility applies provided that two requirements are met: the applicant for suspension must have a record ascertaining an extent of damage of at least 50%; the interest charged by the lender is higher than 2.5% plus ROBOR for loans in RON, and 2% plus EURIBOR for foreign currency loans, Agriculture Minister Florin Barbu explained.Another emergency ordinance adopted on Wednesday aims to expand the "Farmer's Loan" state aid scheme, so that advantageous state-guaranteed loans can also be accessed for the payment of outstanding debts to suppliers and input distributors."We are talking here about 100% state-backed loans with a fixed interest rate of 1.95, and the ROBOR and all other fees are borne by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Government of Romania. (...) Let me tell you one more thing: Romania's self-sufficiency rate for domestic products is 100%. This year's wheat production exceeds by 1.9 million tons the 2023 crop. Practically, we have the necessary output for both animal husbandry and for export," the minister emphasized.
President Nicușor Dan has nominated Senate president Ilie Bolojan, a leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and former interim president, for the prime minister seat. Dan said Bolojan is “the best person to carry out the needed adjustments in the state administration.” He pointed to Bolojan’s track record with reducing spending, and said he has […]
Balkanik Festival – Home of World Music, set to take place at Uranus Garden between September 5 and September 7, lines up this year artists who "celebrate that form of joy that does not ignore reality, but faces it with beauty, energy, and solidarity," the organizers said. The artists performing in September in Bucharest will […]
The mayor of Timișoara, Dominic Fritz, announced on Friday, June 20, that two new bridges over the Bega River will be built in the city. The bridges will be financed with EU-backed funds worth over RON 130 million. The bridges in question are the Solventul Bridge, which will connect Gării Street to Dâmbovița Boulevard and […]
A Sarmatian necropolis nearly 2,000 years old was discovered after archaeological excavations were carried out at the Mehala II site in the municipality of Timișoara, in western Romania. Researchers discovered 15 inhumation graves, most arranged in rectangular pits with rounded corners, although some no longer retain their original outline, having been disturbed by the passage […]
The George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra will deliver on June 26 a concert marking Romania Day at the Osaka World Expo. Additionally, the Bucharest-based orchestra will present a series of other concerts and recitals, both within the Romanian Pavilion and outside, at Toyonara Hall in Osaka. The George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra's concerts will be conducted by […]
Sphera Franchise Group, the largest food service group in Romania, has opened its first Cioccolatitaliani store in the seaside resort of Riccione, in Italy’s Rimini tourist area. This marks the official launch of Sphera Group’s development plan for the premium Italian brand of coffee, gelato, and pastry. Under the plan, it will open four locations […]
