Over Half Of Local Businesses Expect Considerable Turnover Growth In 2015
Romanian-owned companies are more optimistic that foreign businesses operating in Romania regarding growth in turnover, salaries or staff numbers this year, according to a survey released by EY Romania.
According to the survey, 55% of local businesses expect considerable turnover growth in 2015, of +10% to +31%, compared to just 39% of foreign companies operating in the country. Half of the foreign businesses expect moderate growth, of +1% to +10%, compared to 37% of local companies expecting modest growth.
None of the Romanian businesses included in the survey expects a decline of more than 5% in turnover, while 6% of foreign companies expect a decline of 5% to 20%.
The most optimistic Romanian businesses operate in manufacturing, while the most optimistic foreign companies are in services industry. (Romania Libera)
Cost of Living Accounts For 67.5% Of Household Income
The monthly living expenses in Romania (food, drink, household supplies, utility bills, taxes) account for 67.5% of the monthly income of a Romanian household.
At the end of 2013, monthly living expenses accounted for 66.4% of the total, according to the National Statistics Institute.
In the fourth quarter of 2014, the average income of a household stood at RON2,579/month, down from RON2,624/month in the corresponding period a year earlier.
Expenses totaled RON2,357/month in the fourth quarter of 2014, lower from RON2,394/month in the same period of 2013. (Adevarul)
House Prices Lower Than Apartment Prices In Main Romanian Cities
The price of houses in the main Romanian cities halved compared to the prices of four-room apartments in certain cases, according to study of imobiliare.net.
In Bucharest, the average price of a house/villa is EUR613/sqm, down 43% compared to the price of a three-room apartment and 45% lower than the price of a four-room apartment.
In April, the average price of a three-room apartment in Bucharest was EUR1,071/sqm, while the price of a four-room apartment was EUR1,116/sqm,” according to the study.
In Cluj city, the average price of a house/villa is higher than in Bucharest, reaching EUR645/sqm. The lowest average price of houses among Romanian main cities can be found in Constanta, EUR400/sqm, half compared with the average price of four-room apartment and 51% lower than three-room apartments. (Puterea)
Firms Hiring Youths Aged Up To 24 To Get EUR200 And RON500/Month
Companies in Romania that hire youths aged up to 24 will receive EUR200 and RON500 monthly for each employee, for a one-year period, provided they keep them employed for at least 18 months, under a program financed by EUR470 million from the EU budget for the period 2014-2020.
The program, called “Job guarantee for youth,” was launched Wednesday by Labor Minister Rovana Plumb, at the presidential Victoria Palace, in the presence of Prime Minister Victor Ponta and European Commission Vice-President for the Euro and Social Dialogue, Valdis Dombrovskis.
The program, which is expected to support 441,000 youths aged 16 to 24, sets that employers which keep the new jobs for more than 18 months will be exempted from paying unemployment taxes for a 24-month period. As regards apprenticeships, employers will receive EUR250 and RON300 monthly, for a period of one to three years, while for specialization courses, they will get EUR300 and RON750. (Puterea)
Several Roma Organizations In Transylvania Call For Early Elections
Several organizations of ethnic Roma in Transylvania called for early elections, on International Roma Day – April 8, saying that the political class needs a reform.
According to a press statement of Roma organizations, the integration of ethnic Roma has been carried out only on paper so far, by protocols, conferences and promises, without clear actions.
Roma representatives say they continue to be discriminated, projects for ethnic Roma have a reduced effect while their representatives in the Parliament ”are invisible, without legislative initiatives on Roma integration”. (Puterea)