PM Bolojan meets EBRD delegation

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan welcomed on Tuesday, at the Victoria Palace, a delegation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), led by Charlotte Ruhe, Managing Director for Central and South-Eastern Europe, who is an official visit to Romania, with the goal of discussing the progress of EBRD operations in Romania, presenting the strategic priorities and identifying new opportunities for cooperation.According to a release of the Government, the discussion focused on the ongoing investment projects and future priority investments, the EBRD support for the municipal infrastructure and for increased absorption of European funds, as well as the exchange of best practices regarding the public-private partnerships and improving the activity of state-owned companies."These initiatives aim at a better management of financial resources, supporting sustainable economic growth and the efficient implementation of projects to the benefit of local communities and the national economy," the release showed.Another topic discussed was the Giurgiulesti Port in the Republic of Moldova, currently undergoing an international acquisition process by the EBRD."The Romanian side expressed the interest for involving in this demarche, in coordination with the Republic of Moldova, with the shared goal of supporting regional development and connectivity on the Danube and the Black Sea," the quoted source mentioned.In this context, the Prime Minister welcome the EBRD's involvement in Romania so far and the latest investments approved, including the energy efficiency programme for public buildings in Brasov, the modernization of the district heating system and urban regeneration in Timisoara and the support for renewable energy development through photovoltaic projects in Dolj and Olt counties.Also attending the meeting, on behalf of the Government were Mihai Jurca, the Head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister and Ciprian Serban, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure.   ***  The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is a strategic partner for Romania, with over 700 million euros invested last year and 600 million euros already committed by September this year, mainly in the private sector, but also in municipal, transport, water and energy efficiency projects, Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare also said on Tuesday.He met, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Finance, with the EBRD team, led by Charlotte Ruhe, Managing Director for Central and South-Eastern Europe."Today we discussed the expansion of these investments, through public-private partnerships (PPP), an instrument through which we can finance major projects, including regional hospitals. The successful experience in Greece, where the EBRD supported important investments through PPPs, can be replicated here. Romania needs to develop projects in key-areas, such as infrastructure and healthcare - that attract private capital and be professionally managed. Collaboration with the EBRD is important not only from the perspective of investments, but also for improving the governance of state-owned companies, for attracting European funds in mixed projects and for consolidating strategic infrastructure. Romania has the potential to become a regional investment hub through transparency, solid partnerships and well-prepared projects", the minister of finance wrote on his Facebook page.The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Romania, with over 11.6 billion euros invested in 560 projects to date. The EBRD's support contributes to strengthening Romania's green economy and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future, generating long-term benefits for the economy and the environment.  (Photo:https://gov.ro/)