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Romania Posts Highest Annual Inflation In EU For 9th Straight Month

Romania maintained the highest inflation in the European Union for the ninth month in a row in April, while the EU's average rate was up at 3.2% from 3.1% in March, statistics office Eurostat said Monday.

Romania’s Current Account Deficit Shrinks To EUR634M In First Quarter

Romania registered a current account deficit of EUR634 million in the first quarter this year, some 2.5 times lower than in the same interval of the previous year, but 14 times higher than EUR44 million in January-February this year, central bank data showed Monday.

Romanian Govt Pledges Over 7000 Job Cuts In Railway, Energy, Postal Co

Romania's government has pledged to cut more than 7000 jobs in state railway companies, energy suppliers and the national postal company, while lowering their running costs through renegotiated contracts, says the letter of intent to a EUR3.6 billion loan agreement with the IMF.

Romania Pledges To Slash Heating Aid By End-August

Romania's government committed in the letter of intent to the International Monetary Fund to eliminate the thermal energy subsidy by the end of August at the latest and direct such aid only to disadvantaged categories.

Romanian Govt Promises To Hike Train Ticket Prices By More Than Inflation

Romania's Government has promised the International Monetary Fund that, by the end of August, it will amend legislation to allow state-owned transport companies CFR Calatori and Metrorex to increase their fees by more than the rate of inflation.

Romania To Revise Gas Transit Deal With Russia

Romania's Government will begin negotiations with Russia to revise the existing agreements on the transit of natural gas through pipelines on Romania's territory, says the memorandum of understanding agreed upon with the European Commission.

Romania Must Amend Newly Adopted Labor Laws By This Fall

The Romanian Government must extend the period over which overtime can be rewarded with paid time off to 90 days, from 60 days as stated in the country’s recently adopted labor laws, says the memorandum of understanding agreed upon with the European Commission.

Romania To Ensure Gas Exports Towards Hungary By End-2012

Romania’s government pledged to make the needed steps to allow exports of natural gas towards Hungary by the end of 2012, according to the memorandum of understanding agreed with the European Commission, a document obtained by MEDIAFAX.

Romanian State-Owned Companies To Crack Down On Debtors

The International Monetary Fund asked Romania to toughen up measures taken against clients who owe considerable sums to state-owned companies, using “legal measures” against those with arrears.

Self-Employed Romanians May Hire Other People As Workers – Draft

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

Almost Half Of Romanians Did Not Go On Holiday Last Year – Survey

Almost half of Romanians (46%) did not take a holiday trip last year, most (62%) because of financial reasons, according to a Eurobarometer survey on the attitudes of Europeans towards tourism, which shows things improved overall in 2010.

Six New Rescue Service SMURD Bases To Be Created In Romania By Yearend – Official

Romania’s emergency rescue service SMURD will be implemented in all counties by the end of the year, Health Ministry deputy state secretary Raed Arafat said Friday.

Romanian PM Says Govt To Set Revenue Cap For Heating Subsidies By End-August

Romania’s Government will decide by the end of the summer on a maximum revenue cap for beneficiaries of heating subsidies, while people with high incomes or who own multiple homes will pay their full bills, Prime Minister Emil Boc said Friday.

Romania Gives Up Plans To Shut Down Oltchim If Privatization Fails

Romania's Government gave up its plans to shut down chemical plant Oltchim Ramnicu-Valcea (OLT.RO) if privatization procedures should fail in 2011, according to the country’s letter of intent to a EUR3.6 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund.

Amnesty International: Roma Still Discriminated In Romania, Including By Govt Officials

Roma in Romania continued in 2010 to be victims of ethnic stereotyping and discrimination and racist and discriminatory remarks against them were reported from senior government figures, Amnesty International said in its annual human rights report released Friday.

Romania Ctrl Bker: Capital Inflows To Turn Focus On Monetary Policy Rate

Higher foreign capital inflows in Romania will likely bring back focus on the key interest rate, but the central bank might have to divert attention to competitiveness from inflation targeting, a central bank official said Friday.

Romania’s Economy Makes It Out Of Recession

Romania's economy expanded by 0.6% in the first quarter, after a meager recovery of just 0.1% three months earlier, a flash estimate of the country’s statistics institute showed Friday.

Romania 1Q GDP +0.5% On Quarter; Economy Exits Recession – Sources

Romanian economy grew by 0.5% in the first three months of 2010 compared with the previous quarter and is technically out of recession, according to governmental sources that cited data from the statistics institute.

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.