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Anticorruption Authorities Raid SE Romanian Customs Point

Romanian authorities on Monday morning raided the Agigea Sud customs in southeastern Romania and checked local freight transport firm Romtrans, people familiar with the matter told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian Federation Of Agricultural Producers Warns Food Prices To Go Up

The National Federation of Romanian Agricultural Producers (FNPAR) warned that the unfavorable weather conditions and lack of agricultural strategies will force up food prices in the upcoming period.

Romanian Labor Min Reminds Employers Of Advantages To Hiring Unemployed People

Romanian acting Labor Minister Emil Boc said Friday that he has ordered "a more aggressive campaign" to inform the business environment about the incentives provided to hire unemployed people, even as the jobless rate is declining.

Romanians Spend Over Half Of Monthly Budget On Food, Utility Bills – Survey

Romanian households spend more than half of their monthly budgets on food, gas and electricity bills, ranking first among EU countries, UniCredit said in a presentation at the EBRD annual meeting in Kazakhstan Friday.

Romania To Have 845 Km Of Highway In A Few Years – Transport Min

Romania will have 845 km of highway in a few years, compared to its current 313 km, through investments of EUR5.17 billion, Transport Minister Anca Boagiu said Friday.

Romania Needs Energy Competition, Not Full Privatization – Enel

Romanian authorities need not privatize all energy companies or electricity producers, but the segment needs true competition, Friday said Luca D’Agnese, president of Enel Romania.

Romania Remains Top CEE Business Destination In May – Survey

Romanian economic outlook for the next six months improved slightly in May, anchoring the country in the first spot among the best business destinations in Central and Eastern Europe, a ZEW/Erste survey showed Friday.

Romania Might Have 40 Min Wage Standards, One For Each Economic Sector

Romania's labor union confederations on Friday suggested dividing the economy into 39 sectors, meaning there could be 40 minimum wage standards – one for each private sector plus the public sector.

Romanian Transp Min Signs EUR693M Contracts For Corridor IV Highways

Romanian Transport Minister Anca Boagiu on Friday signed five contracts, worth a total EUR692.68 million (including VAT), for the design and construction of highway sections on Pan-European Corridor IV, the first of nine project packages that have been auctioned off.

EXCLUSIVE: Romanian Govt Considers Charging Car Pollution Tax Upon First Sale

Romania's Government is considering charging the pollution tax upon the first sale of cars imported before July 1, 2008, but in an amount reduced by 30%, and refunding part of the tax already paid by owners, in installments over several years, to avoid returning EUR750 million all at once.

EBRD Ups Romania GDP Forecast To +1.8% In 2011

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Friday revised upward its forecast for Romanian economic growth to 1.8% in 2011, from 1.1% previously, saying it expects harsh austerity measures implemented under a multilateral financial program will pay off.

S&P Revises BNR Outlook To Stable With One Year Delay, Citing Administrative Error

Standard & Poor's Rating Services Thursday said that due to an administrative error the rating outlook on the National Bank of Romania (BNR, the central bank of Romania), which is linked to that of Romania, had been incorrectly listed as negative for more than one year.

Romanian President Wants New Constitution Adopted Before 2012 Parliamentary Elections

Romanian President Traian Basescu said on public television late Thursday he wants the referendum on a new Constitution to take place simultaneously with local elections in June next year so parliamentary elections in November-December 2012 will be organized based on the new fundamental law.

Self-Employed Romanians May Hire Other People As Workers

Self-employed Romanians will be allowed to hire other people for their activity, with employment contracts, as per a new government emergency ordinance.

EU Asks Romania To Implement Directive On Railway Safety

The European Commission (EC) has sent a reasoned opinion to nine member states, including Romania, formally asking them to fully implement the railway safety directive.

EU Launches Infringement Procedure Against Romania Over Air Service Agreement With Russia

The European Commission (EC) on Thursday launched an infringement procedure against Romania over its bilateral air service agreement with Russia.

Romanian Daewoo Mangalia To Build 4 Ships In $400M Deal

Southeastern Romanian shipyard Daewoo Mangalia Heavy Industries, or DMHI, will build four container carriers for Israeli group Ofer Global Holdings, under a $400 million contract, the ship owner announced Thursday.

Romanian Private Lending Seen Recovering In H2

Romanian private lending is poised to pick up in the second half of 2011, albeit at a slower pace compared with pre-crisis levels, said Radu Ghetea, head of Romanian Banking Association.

Over 500,000 Phone Numbers Ported In Romania Since 2008

Over 500,000 telephone numbers were ported in Romania between October 2008 and May 16, 2011, most in mobile networks, according to the data of telecom regulator ANCOM.

Romania To Open One Lane Of Basarab-Constanta Hwy Section In July

One lane on the Basarab-Constanta section of the Bucharest-Constanta highway in Romania, as well as Constanta's ringroad, will be opened to traffic in July, Transport Minister Anca Boagiu said Thursday.

Romanian President Supports Plan To Reduce No. Of Heating Aid Beneficiaries

Romanian President Traian Basescu supports the Government’s plan to eliminate heating subsidies and direct such aid only to disadvantaged categories.

Romania To Amend Car Pollution Tax, Following CJEU Ruling

Romania's Government has decided to amend the car pollution tax again in a few weeks, after the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) judged it in violation of community legislation.

Romanian Sustainable Home Heating Subsidy Program Reopened To Individuals In June

Romania's "Green House" program will be reopened to individuals on June 1, Environment Minister Laszlo Borbely announced Wednesday.

Bucharest Public Transport Authority RATB Might Become Commercial Co

Bucharest public transport authority RATB should be turned into a commercial enterprise, to increase its independence and allow it to access European funds, general manager Adrian Crit said Wednesday.

Bucharest Subway Operator Eyes Mainline Extension For EUR300M

Bucharest subway operator Metrorex wants to add two stations to the M4 line, as well as a terminal hub with a parking lot, dispatcher and bus station, through an investment of about 1.22 billion lei (EUR296 million, VAT included).

Romania’s EU Fund Absorption Rate Still Lowest In Region

Romania's European fund absorption continues to be the lowest in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), with especially low payment ratios recorded for transport and environmental programs, according to a study compiled by consultancy firm KPMG.

Romanian Lower House Committee For Human Rights Approves Internet Pornography Bill

The Romanian Chamber of Deputies committee for human rights on Wednesday approved the bill on Internet pornography, with a series of amendments.

Romanian 2008 Govt Ordinance On Car Pollution Tax Ruled Constitutional

The Romanian Constitutional Court on Wednesday rejected as groundless the unconstitutionality claims targeting certain provisions of Government Emergency Ordinance 50/2008 on car pollution tax.

Romanian Opposition Submits Simple Motion Targeting Foreign Affairs Ministry

Romanian opposition lawmakers on Wednesday submitted in the Senate a simple motion targeting the Foreign Affairs Ministry, social democrat senator Titus Corlatean told MEDIAFAX.

Number Of Romanian Active Cards In 1Q At Lowest Level Since March 2008

The number of active cards in Romania decreased by 619,815 in the first quarter, to 10.58 million, the lowest level since March 2008, although the total value of transactions has grown compared to the same period of last year, central bank data showed Tuesday.

Lower House Eliminates Obligation To Teach Romanian History, Geography In Minority Languages

Romania's Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday tacitly adopted a proposal to eliminate the obligation to teach Romanian history and geography in the languages of national minorities.

Illegal Spirits Sales In Romania Reached About EUR750M In 2010

Illegal spirits sales in Romania stood at between EUR700 million and EUR750 million last year, or 60% of the overall spirits market, according to the Garant association comprising most of the players on the spirits market.

Rompetrol Cuts RON0.12/Liter Off Diesel Prices, Raises Gas Price By RON0.09/Liter

Rompetrol Downstream, the fuel distribution unit of oil group Rompetrol, Tuesday increased pump prices for gasoline by 0.9 lei (EUR0.22) per liter and decreased diesel pump prices by RON0.12 per liter.

Romanian Police Protest Ends After Parliament Postpones Debate On Layoff Bill

The Romanian police protest outside the Parliament on Tuesday ended early, after lawmakers postponed the debate on the bill cutting 9500 jobs in the Interior Ministry.

Romanian Govt Adds Pvt Company To IMF Letter Of Intent By Mistake

Dalkia Romania, a unit of French utility Veolia Environment, was included by mistake on a list of money-losing public companies that require international monitoring.

Romanian Durable Goods Market Widens 10% In 1Q, To EUR307M – GfK

The Romanian durable consumer goods market widened by 10.7% on the year in the first quarter of 2011, to EUR307 million, according to a GfK Temax survey released Tuesday.

About 200 Romanian Interior Ministry Unionists Picket Parliament Over Layoff Bill

About 200 Romanian police officers on Tuesday are picketing the Parliament, calling on lawmakers to reject the Interior Ministry layoff bill.

Romanian Senate Adopts Food Content Dot Bill

The Romanian Senate on Monday adopted with 54 to 42 votes and three abstentions a bill whereby food products will have a colored dot on their packaging to signal their healthy or harmful content.

Romanian Land Prices Down 16% In 1Q – imobiliare.ro

Owners of inner city land for residential project development in Romania continued to decrease prices in the first quarter of the year, by up to 16%, under the pressure still felt from the economic crisis, according to realty ad portal imobiliare.ro.

Romanian Govt Coalition May Discuss Replacing PM – Sources

Romania’s ruling coalition will hold a meeting Tuesday and might discuss whether to replace Emil Boc as prime minister following his reelection as head of the ruling Democratic Liberal Party, people close to the matter said Monday.