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Some 1.1 Million Romanians Form Italy’s Largest Immigrant Community – Report

The number of Romanians living in Italy has reached at least 1,165,000, and the Romanian community is the largest in Italy and second in the EU with respect for the number of immigrants, according to a report of the Caritas organization, quoted by ASCA online.

Romanian PM Calls For Second Stage Of Public Sector Restructuring Process

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc asked his Cabinet to prepare the second stage of the public sector restructuring process, to follow last summer’s reorganization of government agencies, a move which will entail layoffs to lower public spending.

Romania Debt Collecting Cos Recovered 24% Of Receivables In 2009

Romanian debt collecting companies recovered debts worth EUR264 million in 2009, mostly from individuals, and they represent 24% of a total EUR1.1 billion to be recovered, Association of Commercial Debt Management (AMCC) said Thursday.

Romanian Financial Guard Estimates Tax Evasion In Cigarette Sales At EUR1B

Tax evasion in the sale of tobacco products in Romania is estimated at EUR1 billion, mainly because of cigarettes smuggled from Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and sales in duty-free shops, said Thursday Ladanyi Arpad Csaba, head of Romania’s Financial Guard.

Romanian Commercial Debt To Grow 10% In ’10, To EUR1.1B – Collectors

The value of commercial debts will gain 10% this year, from EUR1.1 billion in 2009, with the highest impact segments including the residential segment, construction, transports, textiles, retail and distribution according to forecasts from the Romanian Commercial Debt Management Association (AMCC).

Romanian Hotel Prices High; Only Low Demand Can Slash Prices – Tourism Min

Romania’s Tourism and Regional Development Minister Elena Udrea said the prices charged by hotel owners on the Black Sea Coast are pretty high compared to the conditions they offer, adding only a low demand, like that in the summer of 2009, can trigger lower prices.

Romania Leu’s Reference Hits Fresh 14-Mo High At 4.0653 Vs Euro

The Romanian leu edged higher against the euro in mid trade Thursday and the national currency’s reference firmed for the third consecutive day to a new 14-month peak at 4.0653.

Romania’s Personal Insolvency Law To Affect Good Payers, Banks To Up Interest Rates

Romania’s personal insolvency law will work in favor of people who have overdue debts and to the detriment of good payers, as banks will set harsher loan conditions and increase interest rates, Association of Commercial Debt Management (AMCC) representatives said Thursday.

Romania May Resume Swine Exports In July

Romania might be able to resume its swine exports as of July, after a commission of the EU checks to see whether the country has closed all its swine fever outbreaks, Agriculture Ministry state secretary Adrian Radulescu said Thursday.

Romanian Education Unionists Picket Govt HQ, Union Leaders Summoned For Talks

Over 1,500 Romanian education unionists are picketing the headquarters of the Government where they brought a mascot picturing Education Minister Daniel Funeriu dressed as a samurai, while union leaders were invited at the Government for talks.

Romanian Healthcare Co-Payment Law Sent For Parliament Approval

Romania’s Government approved a draft law drawn up by the Health Ministry regarding the introduction of a co-payment system for public healthcare services, and the draft law is pending debates in Parliament.

Romanian Govt To Reconsider Taxation Of Handicapped Individuals

The Romanian Government will reconsider the decision to tax people with severe or incapacitating handicaps and will establish that the income from wages obtained by this category does not count as salary and is not taxable, as they were under the system applied before the end of 2009.

Romania To Continue Assistance Agreement With IMF, WB After The Crisis – President

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Wednesday at the local American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) that Romania aims to continue collaboration with the IMF and the World Bank after the crisis as well, but in terms of assistance.

Romania To Pay $1.3B For F-16 Fighters, More Purchases To Follow

The purchase of the F-16 fighter jets, approved by the Romanian High Council for National Defense (CSAT), will cost some $1.3 billion, the planes have a flight resource of about 10-15 years left, and in a second phase Romania will purchase another 24 new planes, according to the Ministry of Defense.

Romania Ranks Seventh In World’s Top Spammers Chart – Study

Romania is ranked seventh in a world chart of spam source countries, while Bucharest ranks eighth in a chart of the world’s top spam source cities, according to a study compiled by computer security company PandaLabs for the first two months of 2010.

S&P Revises Romanian Transgaz Outlook To Stable; Affirms Ratings

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said today that it revised the outlook on Romania-based natural gas transmission operator Transgaz Medias (TGN.RO) to stable from negative, while affirming the company's ratings, following the outlook revision on Romania's sovereign

Romanian Govt Works On List Of Lump Sum Taxable Services

Taxi transportation, car washes and artistic interpretation are some of the activities introduced by the Romanian Government on a list of 28 services for which the lump sum tax will be paid, according to a working document of the Government.

Romanian Govt To Hike Over Six Times Vessel Taxes By Amending Fiscal Code

The Romanian Government will amend the Fiscal Code to increase over six times annual taxes collected by local authorities on sports and voyage vessels.

Romanian Senate Extends Allowance To Adult High School Students

Romania’s Senate tacitly adopted a draft law whereby people over the age of 18 who attend high school or a form of vocational education and do not earn their own income will receive state child’s allowance until the completion of their studies.

Romanian Radicalism, Proselytism Seen Rising, Attack Risks Remain Low – Intelligence Chief

Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) director George Maior said Wednesday that, in connection with the placement of US missile shield elements on Romanian soil, the SRI is making preparations to face offensive espionage actions.

Romanian Senate Clears Path For Senator’s Prosecution

Romania’s Senate approved Wednesday in plenary session anticorruption prosecutors’ request to have social democrat senator Catalin Voicu placed under preventive arrest on charges of influence peddling and fraud.

Romanian Intelligence Service Fight For Other Causes Than Fmr Communist Secret Police – President

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Wednesday there is a fundamental difference between former secret police Securitate, which served the communist regime, and the current Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI).

Romanian Econ Revival Hindered By Lower Invest, Population Ageing

Romania’s economic growth may be impaired on medium-term by falling investment, constraints in credit availability and rising unemployment, the European Commission said Wednesday in its assessment of the country’s updated convergence program.

EU: Romania Could Miss 2010 Deficit Target Over Difficult Spending Cuts

Romania could miss its budget deficit target in 2010, because some of the measures aimed to slash public spending are socially and politically difficult to carry out, the European Commission said in its opinion on the country’s updated convergence program.

British Auto Dealers Unaware Of Dacia’s UK Mkt Penetration Plans

The members of UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited (SMMT) are not interested, at the moment, in a partnership with Romanian carmaker Dacia, despite announcements from the Renault group that Dacia could enter the British market in 2012.

Romanian Leu Up Vs Euro, Exch Rate Hits New 14-Mo Peak At 4.0716

The Romanian leu extended early gains against the euro in mid trade Wednesday and the central bank’s reference strengthened to 4.0716 units, a fresh 14-month peak.

Romanian Intelligence Services SRI, SIE Are Politically Unbiased – President

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Wednesday at the headquarters of the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) that he is convinced nobody can politically influence the SRI, adding he does not refer to the department services, just those coordinated by the High Council for National Defense (CSAT).

Romania Feb Overdue Loans Up 5.3% MM To RON9.24B

Romanian overdue non-government loans rose 5.34% on the month to 9.24 billion lei (EUR1=RON4.0716) in February, central bank data showed Wednesday.

Romanian Closed-Circuit Pharmacies To Provide Medicine Through Healthcare Programs – Draft

Romanian closed-circuit pharmacies will provide medicine to patients admitted to hospital or treated through ambulatory care, as well as the ambulance service, via national healthcare programs, under a draft order of the Health Ministry.

Romanian Senator Facing Influence Peddling Charges, In Hospital Over Heart Problems

Romanian social democrat senator Catalin Voicu, for whom the Parliament is holding a vote Wednesday deciding whether to allow anticorruption prosecutors to have him arrested on charges of influence peddling and fraud, has been admitted to hospital over heart problems.

Romania Econ Min To Lobby For Urgent Adoption Of Renewable Energy Law

Romanian Economy Minister Adriean Videanu on Tuesday pledged to discuss with Prime Minister Emil Boc about a possible emergency ordinance to pass the Law 220 on renewable energy production.

Romania Energy Prices Unchanged In ’10; Gas Prices Could Rise – Regulator

Romania's energy prices will remain at their current levels until January 2011, but natural gas prices might be adjusted for the 2009 inflation sometime this year, the country’s energy regulator ANRE said Tuesday.

Romania Environment Min: Over 100,000 Old Cars Will Be Scrapped Under 2010 Clunkers Program

Romania’s Environment Minister Laszlo Borbely said Tuesday evening that over 100,000 old cars will be scrapped under the 2010 clunkers program, which, he stressed, has set off on the right foot and its success mainly favors the local carmakers.

Romanian PM Expected For Hearings In Lawsuit Filed Against Him By Ex-PM

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc is expected Wednesday for hearings in court, in the slander lawsuit filed against him by former Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu.

Romanian High Council For National Defense OKs Purchase Of 24 Used F16 Jet Fighters

Romania’s High Council for National Defense (CSAT) approved the Defense Ministry’s proposal to purchase 24 used F16 fighter aircraft, a request which has been sent to the Parliament for debates.

Romania Ctrl Bk: Banks Will Seek Additional Guarantees After Personal Insolvency Law Adoption

The adoption of the personal bankruptcy law might force banks to require additional guarantees, which would restrict people's access to loans, Adrian Vasilescu, an adviser for the central bank governor, said Tuesday.

Google To Open One Office In Romania In ’10

Google, holder of the search engine with the same name, will open an office in Romania this year, said Amelia Cretu, Agency Relationship Manager Google for Southeast Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Romanian Lower Chamber Rejects Simple Motion Against Labor Minister

Romania’s Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday rejected 121 to 100 votes and six abstentions the simple motion initiated by 52 social democrat and conservative deputies against Labor Minister Mihai Seitan.

Romanian Lower Chamber Rejects Simple Motion Against Health Min

The Romanian Chamber of Deputies rejected Tuesday, with 124 cons, 95 pros and seven abstentions the simple motion initiated by 54 liberal (PNL) MPs against Health Minister Cseke Attila.

Nobel Literature Prize Winner Herta Muller To Visit Bucharest In September

Herta Muller, winner of the 2009 Nobel Prize for Literature, will come to Bucharest in September, when the Humanitas publishing house launches an author series dedicated to her, within a wider campaign marking the publishing house’s 20th anniversary.