On Thursday, the European Commission estimated that the growth rate of Romanian economy slowed down by 1.8% in 2023, 0.4% less than estimated in the fall, when the high inflation and slow credit growth affected domestic demand, while foreign demand was very low, according to winter economic provisions released on Thursday by EC. The Commission also reviewed estimates referring to the advance of Romanian economy in 2024 to 2.9% from 3.1% as foreseen in the fall of 2023. Although private consumption is expected to increase, investments will remain the main contributor to GDP increase this year. Monetary policy is expected to be a restrictive one in 2024 and will relax only gradually when inflation pressure drops. The relaxation of financial and monetary conditions, accompanied by a higher foreign demand will lead to a real GDP increase of 3.2% in 2025, somewhat less than autumn prognosis, the EC report shows. Concerning inflation, EC estimates that in 2023 it dropped to 9.7% from 12% in 2022, mainly due to the significant slowdown of private credit increase and strict monetary conditions, as well as lower energy and food prices. Except for a short period at the beginning of 2024, following some increase of indirect taxes, prices will continue to drop. Average annual inflation is foreseen to reach 5.8% in 2024 in order to slow down to 3.6% in 2025,”EC estimates, warning that there are risks of a disinflation process more gradual in case salaries and pensions continue to grow rapidly. The European Commission publishes two sets of detailed provisions every year, in the spring and autumn and two sets of intermediate provisions in winter and summer. Intermediate provisions include annual and quarterly GDP and inflation values of all member states for the on-going and future years, as well as data for the EU and euro areas.
The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, congratulated Pope Leo XIV for succeeding Pope Francis on Thursday, May 8. He expressed confidence that the new pope will continue to promote "the spirit of dialogue, peace, and cooperation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church." "In a world facing multiple spiritual, economic, and […]
The organizers of the Untold festival announced they will offer a RON 150 (EUR 30) voucher toward the purchase of a festival pass to anyone who votes on May 18, during the second round of the presidential elections. In an online message, Untold representatives emphasized the connection between civic participation and the future of every […]
The Open Streets program, which sees the city's major arteries close for car traffic and become pedestrian areas, returns this weekend with a program of exhibitions, concerts, and a Festival of Lights. On Saturday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m., the public is invited to the Made in Romania exhibition, which presents a selection of civilian […]
Joseph Stiglitz, the famous economist and professor at Columbia University in New York, and winner of the Nobel Prize in economy in 2001, told an audience in Cluj, Romania, that governments must stimulate exports and key sectors when facing deficits. Stiglitz was in Romania on Thursday, May 8, to receive the title of Doctor Honoris […]
The Constitutional Court unanimously validated on Friday, May 9, the results of the first round of the presidential elections. It also rejected as unfounded a request to annul the elections filed by Sebastian-Constantin Popescu, the presidential candidate of the New Romania Party, it announced. The runoff, set for May 18, will see ultranationalist leader George […]
Bucharest's culinary scene welcomes back OLEA, the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel's celebrated Mediterranean destination, now reimagined with a fresh concept that blends authentic coastal flavours with contemporary sophistication. Following an extensive transformation, OLEA reopens its doors to offer guests a refined journey through the Mediterranean's sun-drenched culinary traditions, right in the heart of Romania's […]
