Romania's economy will grow by 4% this year, and the growth will slow down to 3.5% in 2023 as the central bank will have to rise the refinancing rate to 7% by the end of this year (versus the 8%-9% ideal rate of the refinancing rate), according to a research report published by OTP Bank Romania. The fiscal consolidation has stalled and will resume maybe next year, while the current account (CA) deficit may exceed expectations this year amid high energy prices and slower fiscal consolidation, the report reads, concluding that the twin deficit issue remains relevant. "In a regional context, the comparison suggests a more optimistic average growth performance for Romania. Although, for next year, the prediction is pessimistic, with a lower expected result. At the moment, all areas are affected, given inflation - trade, real income, interest rates or fiscal consolidation, which has stalled at this time. [...] The positive outlook is also complemented by the fact that Romania is expected to receive European funds of about 3.5% of GDP annually in this forecast horizon," OTP Bank analysts argue, quoted by Bankingnews.ro. "Under the baseline scenario, inflation could peak in June at a level slightly below 15%, but in the period to come, the decline will be slow, and we should be prepared not to see single-digit rates until March next year. Energy and food growth are now passing through to core inflation [...]. In addition, we can anticipate another increase in the price of energy for household use in April next year, when the current cap-and-subsidy scheme expires," the report reads. OTP Bank expects the National Bank of Romania to conduct more hawkish policy towards the end of the year, yet along the line of moderation followed so far. "The current level of the key policy rate, of 3.75%, still lags very much behind the evolutions of the inflation and the risk premium for the Romanian assets and it is very likely to see it increasing to 7.0% by the end of the year, while the market suggests a level of 8-9%," according to bank analysts' expectations.
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JTI Romania is the Top Employer for the 12th year in a row, being ranked third amongst 44 companies locally awarded, after an assessment conducted by the Top Employers Institute. The company was rated for about 20 criteria such as leadership, talent acquisition, on-boarding, digital HR, work environment, career development, learning, ethics & integrity, diversity, […]
Romanian defense minister Angel Tîlvăr stated that the contract for the Patriot system, which will replace the one ceded by Romania to Ukraine, is expected to be signed in February. The minister commended the decision of the United State government to approve the delivery of three Patriot systems to Romania. Raytheon stated it will collaborate […]
Romanian companies are entering 2025 with cautious optimism, focusing on managing risks and controlling costs, according to the Deloitte 2025 Romania CFO Survey conducted at the end of last year among approximately 130 Chief Financial Officers (CFOs). Most of the Romanian CFOs predict an increase in revenues for this year (58%), but their share has […]
Several employees of the Romanian Senate began protesting and booing while the president of the upper Chamber was announcing that staff restructuring would be implemented to reduce public spending. Ilie Bolojan, president of the National Liberal Party and head of the Senate, announced a reduction in the organizational chart from 796 positions to 618 positions. […]
The members of the Romanian angel investor network TechAngels put EUR 2.757 million in direct investments in tech startups in the second half of 2024, almost triple the amount invested in the year's first half. The investments for the entire 2024 rose to EUR 3.777 million, a 25% year-on-year increase. The rounds backed by TechAngels […]
