EIB: Romanian firms will prioritise capacity expansion, with more cautious outlook than EU average

  Almost eight out of ten Romanian companies are investing, most of them planning to expand their capacity, nonetheless the general feeling remains more pessimistic than in the European Union, according to the EIB Investment Survey 2025: Romania overview the European Investment Bank (EIB) released on Tuesday.The survey key messages outline that the share of Romanian firms investing increased to 78% but remains below the EU average of 86%.When looking at the reason for investing over the next 3 years, 44% of Romanian firms will prioritise capacity expansion, which is substantially higher than in the EU (26% of firms).Still, EIB says, Romanian firms show a more cautious outlook compared to the EU average concerning their operating environment, with a higher share of firms expecting deterioration in economic, political or regulatory climate.The use of multiple advanced digital technologies (48% of firms) has risen significantly in Romania and is now in line with the EU average. Around one third of firms (30%) make systematic use of generative AI tools to improve processes, slightly below the EU average (37%), but in some segments, such as the usage of AI tools for marketing and sales, exceed the EU average.Romanian firms exposed to trade are mostly concerned with compliance with regulation and standards (54%) and recent changes in customs and tariffs (51%). Romanian firms are proactively adjusting their supply chains to increase resilience.41% of Romanian firms are investing in digital tracking, vs 18% in the EU. 50% of Romanian importers are diversifying their supply chains, vs 19% in the EU. Interestingly, 17% of Romanian firms are also reducing the share of imports, the survey reveals.Most Romanian firms experienced losses due to climate change and are proactively investing in adaptation, with 65% taking action to address physical climate risks, compared to 53% of EU firms. Still, fewer firms in Romania have invested compared to the EU average to reduce carbon emissions (54% versus 65%).According to the survey, Romania outperforms the EU average in terms of gender equality in senior management.The EIB Group Investment Survey (EIBIS), conducted annually since 2016, is a unique survey of approximately 13 000 firms across all European Union Member States, with an additional sample from the United States.The survey collects data on firm characteristics and performance, past investment activities and future plans, sources of finance, financing issues and other challenges, such as climate change and digital transformation.