The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has downgraded to 1.2% the growth outlook of the Romanian economy for 2026, from 1.6% in September, according to the "Regional Economic Prospects" report, published on Thursday by the international financial institution.The growth in 2026 and the 2.2% advance in 2027 are supported by a projected peak in the absorption of European funds from the RRF (Recovery and Resilience Facility) and the improvement of the trade balance. Weak external demand is an important source of downside risks.EBRD preliminary estimate for 2025 indicates an advance of 0.9% of Romania's GDP in 2025, a level similar to that forecast in September.Economic growth remained low in 2025, estimated at 0.9%. An increase in EU-funded investment and a recovery in commodity exports partially offset weakness in private consumption, amid a 5% drop in real wages in the second half of the year. Business confidence remains gloomy, amid the political turmoil in the first half of the year and the fiscal consolidation measures implemented in the second half of 2025.The fiscal deficit is estimated to have narrowed from 9.3% of GDP to around 8% of GDP in 2025 and is expected to further narrow to 6.2% of GDP in 2026. The increase in VAT and energy prices led at the end of the year to the increase in the annual inflation rate to the peak level of 9.7%, the highest level in the EU.The National Bank of Romania (BNR) has kept the interest rate restrictive, in order to combat persistent inflationary pressures.
Romanian Iulia Neagu, a PhD in physics at Harvard, sold the artificial intelligence startup Quotient to the American, Romanian-founded data giant Databricks. The two companies aim to improve the way AI agents are used in production environments, are evaluated, and optimized. The startup was launched in 2023 to create systems capable of measuring and improving […]
Authorities in Bucharest have passed regulations to drastically limit the use of fireworks throughout the year. Companies that organize pyrotechnic shows will have to pay a fee of RON 500 (EUR 100) per minute and will need the approval of the City Hall. The new measures were approved by the Bucharest General Council and are […]
The Islamic government in Tehran warned Romania that providing bases to the US airforce amounts to participation in the attacks against it, according to a series of statements offered on Monday, March 16, by a spokesman of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The spokesman argued that Romania's support for the US “would incur international responsibility […]
Restaurant technology startup Choice has raised USD 7.1 million in new funding as it accelerates its expansion across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), including Romania. The company entered the Romanian market in 2025 and has already attracted its first paying restaurants. The funding round was led by Portuguese venture capital fund Alea Capital, with participation […]
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released a report regarding Romania and its path to becoming a member on Monday, March 16, in an event attended by the organization's secretary general, Mathias Cormann, and prime minister Ilie Bolojan, among other officials. The report underscores the need to improve the long-term sustainability of Romania’s...
The Sand Marathon (Maratonul Nisipului), one of Europe’s most distinctive beach running competitions, will return to Constanța, on the shores of the Black Sea, on May 17, for its 11th edition. The event will take place on Zoom Beach and marks the beginning of a new decade for the competition under the theme Next Wave. […]
