“Until recently, Romania’s economy was on track to record robust growth in 2012, after a recovery in 2011. However, the slowdown in the eurozone is already having a significant dampening effect on Romania’s exports, and further weakening is likely in the coming months,” the bank said in its latest Regional Economic Prospects report.
The eurozone crisis affects Romania mainly through cross-border banking relationships, EBRD said.
However, the country’s precautionary loan from the International Monetary Fund should provide an important buffer if things deteriorate, it noted.
For 2013, the institution forecasts an economic growth of 2.6% in Romania.
EBRD maintained its growth estimate on southeastern Europe unchanged at 1% in 2012.