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Romanian Anticorruption Prosecutors Indict Fmr Railway Manager Mihai Necolaiciuc

Romanian anticorruption prosecutors indicted former state-owned railway company (CFR) manager Mihai Necolaiciuc on charges of public fund misappropriation.

Romania’s PC Software Piracy Rate Dn 1 Pct In 2010, To 64% – BSA

The rate of software piracy dropped to 64% in Romania in 2010, from 65% in 2009, and losses triggered by software piracy increased by 6.55%, to $195 million, according to a report drawn up by Business Software Alliance (BSA).

Romanian Businessman Dinu Patriciu To Launch Macro Chain Next Week

Romanian businessman Dinu Patriciu on Thursday said he will launch next week the Macro store chain, after rebranding the miniMax Discount chain, which he bought in August 2010.

PwC: Romania’s Construction Market To Gain $22B By 2020

The Romanian construction market is expected to grow by $22 billion over the next 10 years, according to a study published by consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Romanian Govt Bars Installing Public Utility Infrastructure Above Ground

The Romanian Government approved Wednesday a bill which forbids the installation of equipment used by public utility infrastructure above ground on public property.

Romania To Modernize 16 Train Stations For EUR280M

Romania will modernize 16 train stations within a program worth a total EUR283 million, the Government decided Wednesday.

Renaissance: Romania To Become One Of Europe’s Safest Credits

Romania is poised to become one of the safest credits in Europe, due to its modest foreign debt, a low current account deficit and undergoing economic reforms, a report from Renaissance Capital showed Wednesday.

Romanian Police Integrity To Be Tested By Undercover Agents

The employees of the Romanian Interior Ministry will soon go through integrity tests, given by undercover officers, said chief-commissioner Gabriel Constantin of the ministry's General Anticorruption Department (DGA) in a press conference on Wednesday.

HP Romania To Hire 600 People At Bucharest Consultancy Center In 2011

Hewlett-Packard (HP) will hire 600 people this year for its Global eBusiness Operation Centre (GeBOC) in Bucharest, which currently has a staff of 3,100, Alexander Weigl, the Centre's general manager, said in a press conference Wednesday.

Romanian Carmaker Dacia Starts Production Of New Duster Version For Export

Romanian carmaker Automobile Dacia has started the production of a new Duster model exclusively for export, Renault Romania director of communications Anca Oreviceanu said Wednesday.

Over 6,500 People Expected To Compete In Bucharest International Marathon

Over 6,500 people are expected to compete in the fourth annual edition of the Bucharest International Marathon on October 9, which would be a 30% increase from the previous edition, competition organizers said Wednesday.

Romania April New Car Registrations +32% On Month, -44% On Year

Romanian new car registrations rose 31.8% on the month to 4,999 units in April, but were down nearly 44% from the year-earlier month, Interior Ministry data showed Wednesday.

Romania’s Population Decreased By 7,775 People In March 2011

Romania's population decreased by 7,775 people on the month in March 2011, according to data released Wednesday by the National Statistics Institute (INS).

EXCLUSIVE: Romania To Fire One Third Of Customs Workers – Bill

Romania’s Government plans to fire about one third of the country’s customs workers, according to a draft Government decision that amends the law regulating the country’s National Customs Authority (ANV).

Romania Vows Quick Privatization Or Liquidation For Oltchim – Draft

Romanian chemical company Oltchim (OLT.RO) will be liquidated if the government fails to privatize it by the end of the year, according to the draft letter agreed on May 3 between local authorities and the International Monetary Fund.

Over 117,000 Work Contracts Signed Since Romania’s New Labor Code Took Effect

Over 117,000 individual work contracts were signed in Romania between May 2 and May 9, after authorities started checkups aimed to eliminate illegal jobs, the Work Inspection said in a press release Tuesday.

Romanian Police Aircraft Might Be Rented To Individuals, Companies

Romanian police aircraft might be rented to individuals or companies, to supplement the Interior Ministry's "insufficient" budget, says a draft Government decision put up for public debate on Tuesday.

Romania To Pay RON737M Of Arrears Amassed By Roads Authority CNADNR By End-June

The Romanian Transport Ministry will pay by the end of June 737 million lei (about EUR181 million) of arrears amassed by national roads authority CNADNR due to investment projects, according to Romania’s draft letter of intent to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Romania’s Economic Growth Potential At 3% On Medium Term – IMF

Romania has an economic growth potential of 3% on medium term, but it needs to raise local production for a sustainable growth, according to Jeffrey Franks, head of the International Monetary Fund mission to Bucharest.

Romania To Float 20% In CFR Marfa By Yearend

Romania's Government will offer a 20% stake of state-owned railway company CFR Marfa by initial public offering, "with a view toward full privatization when market conditions permit," says the letter of intent agreed upon with the International Monetary Fund.

Romania Plans To Sell At Most 20% In Airline Tarom

Romania’s Government plans to sell 20% in national airline Tarom either on the stock exchange or to a strategic investor by the end of 2011, according to the draft letter of intent agreed with the International Monetary Fund.

Romania’s Top-40 State-Owned Companies To Hire Private Managers

Romania’s largest 30 to 40 state-owned companies will have private management, and the government will employ an internationally acknowledged head hunting firm for executive selection, according to Jeffrey Franks, the head of the IMF delegation to Romania.

King Michael Of Romania Renounces Ties To House Of Hohenzollern

King Michael of Romania announced Tuesday he is renouncing his historic and dynastic ties to the House of Hohenzollern, as well as the titles "Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen."

Romanian Leu Gains 0.4% Vs Euro, Exchange Rate At 4.0885

The Romanian leu extended early gains against the euro in mid-session Tuesday, and the central bank's reference strengthened to 4.0885 units, from 4.1039 units in the previous day.

Romanian Social Homes Might Be Sold For Closer To Market Value

Romanian authorities might be able to sell public housing for a price determined by an expert evaluator, closer to the home's regular market price, as per a Government-sponsored bill changing the way the sale value of social homes is calculated.

Romania Vows Before IMF To Slash Heating Aid, Bills May Soar

Romania's government committed in the latest talks with the International Monetary Fund to eliminate the thermal energy subsidy in the near future, which could increase household heating bills by up to 60% by the end of the year, depending on the mayoralties' capacity to cover the difference.

Romania To Sell More Than 10% In Nuclearelectrica, Hidroelectrica

Romania will sell more than 10% in state-owned energy producers Nuclearelectrica and Hidroelectrica, an International Monetary Fund official told MEDIAFAX in an interview.

Vicinity To Home Or Workplace, Prices – Romanians’ Main Store Choice Criteria

Most Romanians choose the stores where they spend the largest amount of money considering the stores’ location, whether they are close to or far from their home or workplace, as well as prices, according to a survey conducted by GfK.

Requests To Hike Gas Prices Are Justifiable – Romanian Energy Watchdog

Natural gas suppliers operating in Romania are entitled to request the increase of regulated prices and the use of reserves for several industrial consumers, according to a document of the local energy regulator ANRE.

Romania 1Q Trade Gap Narrows To EUR1.4B

Romania’s trade deficit narrowed to EUR1.4 billion in the first quarter, from EUR2 billion in the year-earlier period, the country’s statistics institute INS said Tuesday.

Romania Inflation Hits 32-Month High In April

Romanian consumer prices rose 0.66% in April from a month earlier, while the annual inflation accelerated to 8.34%, the highest level since July 2008, the country’s statistics institute INS said Tuesday.

Romanian Soldier Killed During Mission In Afghanistan

A Romanian soldier was killed Tuesday morning during a mission in Zabul province, in Afghanistan, the Romanian Defense ministry said in a statement.

Romanian Senate Tacitly Adopts Postal Voting Bill

The Romanian Senate on Monday adopted tacitly a bill introducing postal voting for Romanians abroad, which was put forward by several ruling democrat liberal lawmakers.

Romanian Fmr Gymnast Lavinia Milosovici To Join International Gymnastics Hall Of Fame

Romanian former gymnast Lavinia Milosovici will be honored at the 15th annual International Gymnastics Hall of Fame Ceremony, which will take place on May 14, 2011, at the Petroleum Club in Oklahoma City (USA), said the organizers of the event.

IMF Says Tax Cuts In Romania Not Possible On Short-Term

Romania can’t afford to reduce its main taxes in the coming years, because the measure would entail substantial spending cuts in the public system, an official of the International Monetary Fund said Monday.

Romania Needs More Data Before Cutting Social Security Taxes – IMF

Romania and the International Monetary Fund have agreed to wait for additional fiscal data before deciding on a potential cut in social security contributions, IMF mission head Jeffrey Franks said Monday.

IMF: Romania To Free Gas Prices Gradually By 2015

Romania will free the natural gas market in stages by 2013 for companies and between 2013 and 2015 for household consumers, Monday said Jeffrey Franks, the head of the IMF delegation to Romania.

IMF: Romania Central Bank May Need To Adjust Monetary Policy

Romanian central bank may need to adjust its monetary policies to tackle rising food and fuel prices and reach its inflation target for 2012, an official of the International Monetary Fund said Monday.

Romania Unlikely To Tap Into IMF Funds In 2011 – Mission Head

Romania is highly unlikely to access the funds made available through a EUR5 billion precautionary deal from the International Monetary Fund and the European Union in 2011, IMF mission chief Jeffrey Franks said Monday.

IMF: Romania To Sell Large Stakes In Key Energy Companies

Romanian authorities will make the necessary arrangements to sell “significant stakes” in several key energy companies in the coming months, including nuclear power company Nuclearelectrica and gas pipeline operator Transgaz, an official of the International Monetary Fund said Monday.