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Romania OKs Two More Oil Drilling Licenses In The Black Sea

Romanian government Wednesday approved two oil exploration licenses in the Black Sea platform granted by the national agency for mineral resources to a consortium made of oil companies Lukoil Overseas and Vanco International.

Romanian President Wins Suit Against Businessman Dinu Patriciu

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Wednesday won his suit against businessman Dinu Patriciu and demanded the payment of 1 leu (about EUR0.23) in damages for “lies and fabricating footage”.

Michelin: Romanian Winter Tire Market Surged 130% In Jan-Sept To 1.46M Units

The Romanian winter tire market increased by up to 130% in the first nine months of the year compared with the same interval a year ago, to 1.46 million units, Alina Ghica, marketing director of tire manufacturer Michelin Romania, told MEDIAFAX Tuesday.

Romanian Diesel Fuel Prices Grow Because Demand Is High – OMV Petrom

The increase in diesel fuel prices comes from increased demand for this product, as Romania produces less of this fuel than it consumes, Wednesday said Mariana Gheorghe, chief executive officer of oil company OMV Petrom (SNP.RO).

Court Terminates Bucharest Sanitation Contracts, Orders New Auctions

The Bucharest Court of Appeals has decided to terminate the sanitation contracts signed by City Hall and the authorities of sectors 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6, and compelling them to hold new procurement auctions for these services.

Romania’s Govt OKs Bill Ratifying U.S.-Romanian Antimissile Shield Agreement

The Romanian Government on Wednesday approved the draft law ratifying the U.S.-Romanian agreement on the deployment of a U.S. ballistic missile defense system in Romania.

Terapia Ranbaxy, ZTE Interested In Taking Over Nokia’s Romanian Facility

Romanian pharmaceutical company Terapia Ranbaxy and ZTE, one of the largest Chinese producers of telecom equipment, are interested in taking over Nokia's production halls at Jucu, once the plant closes, Alin Tise, president of the Cluj County Council, said on Tuesday.

Romanian Census To Begin On October 20 With EUR45M Budget

The national census, to be conducted between October 20 and 31, will be the most complex census carried out in Romania after 1989 and the first since the country's accession to the European Union, with a budget of more than EUR45 million for 2011-2014.

Romania’s 2012 Budget Needs New GDP Growth, Deficit Estimates – PM

Romania's Government has completed the draft of next year's state budget, but it will be sent to Parliament after the European Commission (EC) announces the economic growth forecast and after the budget deficit target is agreed upon with the IMF and EC, Prime Minister Emil Boc said Monday.

Romanian Number Of Insolvencies Nears 14,000 In First 9 Months

A total 13,984 firms went insolvent in Romania within the first nine months of the year, 10% less than in the same interval of the previous year, according to data from the national trade registry ONRC.

Romanian Democrat Liberal Leaders Decide To Oust Silviu Bian From Party

The Romanian ruling Democratic Liberal Party’s Standing Bureau on Monday decided to oust Silviu Bian from the party, following his arrest on corruption charges, deputy Razvan Mustea said Monday.

Integrity Agency Says Fmr Union Leader Marius Petcu Cannot Acount For EUR725,000 In Revenue

Romania’s integrity agency, a body that screens public officials’ wealth and interests, has called on a judicial commission to check the wealth of former union leader Marius Petcu, who was unable to account for part of his declared wealth.

Romanian PM Dismisses State Secretary Arrested For Corruption

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc on Sunday dismissed Silviu Bian from his position of state secretary and head of the National Employment Agency, following his arrest on corruption charges, Government spokeswoman Ioana Muntean told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian State Secretary Arrested For Bribe Taking

Romanian state secretary Silviu Bian, head of the national employment agency, was placed under 29-day preventive arrest Sunday on charges of bribe taking.

Romanian Employment Agency Chief Caught Taking Bribe

Romania’s National Employment Agency chief Silviu Bian was caught by anticorruption prosecutors Saturday as he was receiving 80,000 lei (EUR18,500) as bribe, people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX.

Romania Has No Plans To Tax Pensions, PM Says

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said Saturday at a party meeting the Government has not included any plans to tax pensions in its draft state budget for next year, denying recent media allegations.

KPMG: Romania Among States With Highest Social Contribution Rates

Romania ranks among the countries with the highest level of combined employer/employee social contributions on $100,000 of gross income, placing it 18th among 87 states surveyed in the category, according to the most recent KPMG International Individual Income Tax and Social Security Rate report.

EU Commissioner: Food Security Not A Past Problem, It Concerns Future

Romanian EU Commissioner for Agriculture Dacian Ciolos said Friday food security is an issue that concerns the future and fears of food shortages underlie current social commotion and political turmoil.

Bucharest Public Transport Authority To Spend EUR760,000 On Monitoring System

Bucharest's public transport authority (RATB) will buy a monitoring system for 1,000 buses and 100 trolley buses, estimating that the EUR760,000 investment will be compensated in less than a year by reducing costs associated with control terminal personnel.

Minister: Romania Will Have Code Of Conduct For Staff Managing EU Funds

Romanian Minister for European Affairs Leonard Orban said Thursday the ministry will draw up by the end of November a code of conduct targeting those tasked with managing EU-funded projects to avoid cases of incompatibility and conflict of interest.

Romanian Procurement Regulator Admits Only 49 Of 1552 Checked Auction Files

Checkups started recently by the Romanian Authority for Public Procurement Regulation and Monitoring (ANRMAP) show that only 49 of the 1,552 auction files which have been submitted over the past two weeks met requirements, ANRMAP president Cristina Traila said Thursday.

Romanian Authorities Must Compare Prices Of Similar EU-Funded Projects – Banker

Romania's EU fund management authorities and the Ministry of European Affairs should be able to look up and compare the prices of similar projects, because in some instances the difference between them is considerable, said Radu Gratian Ghetea, president of CEC Bank.

Romania’s European Affairs Min Wants Fund Absorption Rate Of At Least 20%

Romanian Minister for European Affairs Leonard Orban said Thursday he wants Romania to reach a European fund absorption rate of at least 20% by the end of 2012.

EP Adopts Resolution Supporting Romania’s Schengen Accession

The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution asking the European Council to allow Romania and Bulgaria to join the Schengen Area.

Romania Contracted Projects Worth EUR4.5B Through Regional Operational Program

The EU-funded projects contracted by Romania through the regional operational program (POR) by the beginning of this week are worth EUR4.5 billion and exceed the budget allotted to the program, of EUR4.4 billion.

Romanian Govt Approves Renewable Energy Incentive Scheme

Romania's Government on Wednesday approved the ordinance providing state aid through green certificates for renewable energy production, after repeated complaints about delays from business associations in the industry.

Bulgaria, Romania To Set Up Cooperation Council For Future Joint Cabinet Meetings

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc and his Bulgarian counterpart, Boiko Borissov, decided Wednesday to set up a high-level cooperation council tasked with preparing future joint Cabinet meetings.

Romanian Health Ministry To Introduce Private Health Insurance

Romania's Health Ministry wants to introduce private health insurance, by creating private insurance houses supervised by the National Health Insurance House, said minister Ladislau Ritli on Wednesday.

Romania Signs Up Pedersen&Partners To Recruit Management For State-Owned Firms

Romania's Ministry of Economy and Pedersen&Partners Consulting on Tuesday signed the contract for counseling regarding the recruitment of private management for state-owned companies.

Romania, Bulgaria To Hold Joint Cabinet Meeting Wednesday

The Romanian and Bulgarian governments on Wednesday will convene a joint meeting in Bucharest to discuss several common projects, as well as issues concerning the two countries’ accession to the border-free Schengen Area.

EP Might Renew Support For Romania’s Schengen Area Accession

The European Parliament might reiterate this week its support for the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area.

Romanian Pensioners To Sue Govt At ECHR For Violating Pension Law

Romanian pensioners will sue the Government at the European Court of Human rights (ECHR) for violating the pension law, and will stage ample protests if authorities tax pensions, National Federation of Romanian Pensioners president Preda Nedelcu said Tuesday.

Romania To Return VAT Worth A Total RON1.61B In October

Romanian tax authority ANAF on Monday said it will return value added taxes worth a total 1.61 billion lei (EUR373.9 million) in October, including RON363 million in compensations.

President: Romania Never Received Security Guarantees, Must Ensure It In Partnership With Allies

The antimissile shield elements the United States will set up in Romania have a defensive purpose, and any speculations on this matter or any attempts to cast doubt on Romania’s goodwill show lack of cooperation, President Traian Basescu said Monday at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Romanian Tax Authority To Write Off Contributors’ Penalties If They Pay Debts By Yearend

Romanian fiscal authority ANAF will write off individuals’ and companies’ debt penalties if they pay off debts and interest on overdue taxes by the end of the year, according to a Finance Ministry order.

Romanian Car Market To Drop Up To 10% In 2011 – Dealers

The Romanian car market will drop up to 10% this year compared to 2010, mainly due to lack of financing, according to car dealers.

Romania Provided EUR300M In State Aid To 20 Major Investments – PM

Romania has provided EUR300 million in state aid for 20 investment projects worth more than EUR1.1 billion, through an aid scheme approved by the European Union, Prime Minister Emil Boc said Friday in a business forum in Timisoara.

IMF Delegation To Visit Romania October 25 – November 7

A delegation of the International Monetary Fund will visit Romania between October 25 and November 7 for the third review of a EUR3.5 billion precautionary agreement signed end March.

Romanian Realitatea Media Appoints New Manager After Contract With Asesoft Denounced

Businessman Elan Schwartzenberg, owner of Romanian media group Realitatea Media, told MEDIAFAX Thursday Sorin Enache will take over the management of the group after the contract signed with IT&C group Asesoft, controlled by Sebastian Ghita, has been denounced.

Romanian Govt Prepares Poultry, Pig Welfare Legislation

Romanian farmers will receive financial aid in the amount of EUR200 million in 2011-2012, for the diesel fuel used in their activity, among other things, and the authorities are also preparing an act on "the welfare of poultry and pigs," according to Prime Minister Boc and the Minister of Agricultur