The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) significantly worsened estimates about the evolution of Romanian economy in 2024, the low demand for eternalization affecting the IT sector, according to a report released by the international financial institution, on Thursday. According to the latest EBRD estimates, Romania's GDP would record an advance of 1.4% this year, on the drop compared to the 3.2% estimate made in May. In 2025, the increase will be only 2.6%, from 3.4% foreseen in May. South-East European EU countries are affected by the low demand, although consumption was resilient, following solid salary increases. In Bulgaria and Romania, the rise of the lowest salary stimulated demand and also had as result the expansion of commercial deficit and was added to inflation pressures, the EBRD report shows. On the background of low foreign demand, Romania's economic growth slowed down to 2.1% in 2023, while in semester 1, 2024 an advance of 1.3% should have been registered. Also, the IT sector slowed down signficantly, in line with global tendencies, while industrial output stagnated. On the other hand, investments in infrastructure continue to support growth. Inflation proved to be constant, following slary and pension increases. In July 2024, the annual inflation rate of 5.8% was the highest in EU, according to EBRD. Moreover, the Central bank (BNR) reduced the interest rate to 6.5%, prospects of this summer. Fiscal policy continues to be expanding, deficit being 3.6% of GDP in semester 1, 2024, higher than in the last 3 years. While incomes had a good evolution in semester 1, 2024, following the measures announced at the end of 2023, expenses went up. Thus, capital expenses, salaries and expenses with goods and services grew by over 20% annually. The latest estimates of the Fiscal Council show a deficit expansion of 8% of GDP in 2024, according to the report of the international financial institution. Romania's GDP will grow by 1.4% in 2024 and 2.6% in 2025, supposing that there will be a recovery in semester 2, 2024, despite the need of fiscal consolidation. EBRD warns that the delay in absorbing European funds is a risk for the economic growth prospects. IMF has reviewed as dropping estimates about te growth of Romanian economy this year, from 3.8% as foreseen in October 2023, to 2.8%, according to the “World Economic Outlook” released in April. Last week, the National Commission for Strategy and Prognosis reviewed on the drop to 2.8%, from 3.4% previously, estimates about this year's PIV advance.
As Halloween approaches, Voxa, the market leader in audiobooks and ebooks, announced the launch of Audioboo!, the first digital festival in Romania of short audio stories dedicated exclusively to thriller and horror genres. Until October 18, local writers are invited to create captivating stories specially designed to keep listeners intrigued. Voxa says the contest "is […]
A new group of 69 vulnerable individuals, consisting of Romanian citizens and family members, mostly women, children, medical cases, and people in high-risk areas, was assisted on Monday, October 7, for repatriation from Lebanon. The group is the second after 69 Romanians were brought to the country earlier this month. They were assisted by two […]
Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca are at an early stage in developing smart urban mobility solutions, according to the PwC "Smart Cities Mobility" Index for Central and Eastern Europe. As a result, the two cities are at the lower end in a ranking based on an index measuring urban mobility. The index evaluates factors such as traffic […]
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found no issue with the trial process in Romania that saw former MEP Adrian Severin condemned to 4 years in jail for influence-peddling. In 2011 the British weekly newspaper The Sunday Times published an article suggesting acts of corruption at the European Parliament, targeting several MEPs, Severin included. […]
JTI, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of tobacco and vaping products, established a technological hub in Romania, with about 140 employees currently and considering further expansion. The new center provides business technology solutions, data and analytics, software engineering, cyber security, and infrastructure & operations. The experts in Bucharest provide information technology support for all […]
Elena Lasconi, the president of the opposition party USR, said that she is working with her colleagues on drafting a no-confidence motion against the government headed by Social Democrat leader Marcel Ciolacu. She also urged the Liberals and their president, Nicolae Ciucă, to back USR's action. "I met thousands of soldiers, I have also been […]
