Russia To Keep Control Over European Gas Market
Russia is working to keep natural gas exports to Europe near record levels in 2018 after the continent’s biggest supplier, Gazprom PJSC, said its deliveries this year signal it is achieving on its ambitions to expand.
The state-controlled gas giant plans to ship a minimum of 180 billion cubic meters next year, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Alexander Medvedev said in an interview in St. Petersburg. That volume would be the second highest ever after at least 190 billion cubic meters expected this year, which is a record.
“Of course, it’s business, not sports,” Medvedev said. Yet, this is “a new stage” in the company’s history.
Gazprom meets more than a third of Europe’s demand for natural gas, Russia’s biggest and most lucrative market worth some $37 billion in revenue this year. Tighter trade links with the Kremlin-backed company contrast with increasing tensions on the military and political front. (jurnalul.ro)
Consumer Protection Authority Fines Over 500 Toy Merchants Romania’s Consumer Protection Authority (ANPC) said it fined economic operators in the toy making sector nearly RON1.2 million.Checkups were conducted between November 15 and 29, 2017 and targeted the observance of legal provisions regarding toy safety, including in e-commerce.
„A total 829 economic operators were checked upon, of which 814 with direct sale and 15 with online sale. Infringements of legal provisions were found at 572 out of 829 under scrutiny, or 69%. The infringements triggered 631 sanctions, of which 297 warnings and 334 contravention fines for economic operators”, according to ANPC. (cotidianul.ro)
Businesses Like Uber, Taxify And Airbnb To Multiply In 2018
Collaborative businesses, from car sharing services, like Uber or TaxiFy, to accommodation services, like Airbnb, will multiply in 2018, and even Romanian initiatives will take shape, according to an analysis by marketing agency Perceptum.
Easy access, efficient organization and the use of existing resources are the main advantages of businesses in the participatory economics, compared with traditional services.
The biggest disadvantage of this type of businesses in Romania is people’s lack of confidence in online transactions. In Romania, American company Uber has more than 450,000 users, of which 350,000 in Bucharest. Romania is the second largest market in Central and Eastern Europe, after Poland, and the fifth largest in the European Union.
Taxify is a ridesharing application developed in Estonia, and is similar to the well-known service Uber. Airbnb is an American company established in 2008, which owns an online platform enabling people to rent rooms, apartments or houses directly from owner, anywhere in the world. (cotidianul.ro)
Social Democrat Head Mulls Cabinet Restructuring Social democrat head Liviu Dragnea said the ruling coalition will make an analysis in January regarding a possible restructuring of the government. Dragnea said it was a good government year, with good results, efficient work and adopted measures. He added he is pleased with the activity of Prime Minister Mihai Tudose, stressing, however, that the latter ought to be calmer. (puterea.ro)