Nine Flu Cases This Season In Romania
Nine cases of flu have been registered this season in Romania, of which six were reported between January 5 and 11, as well as more than 77,000 cases of acute respiratory infections, according to the National Center for the Control and Supervision of Transmissible Diseases.
Between January 5 and 11, other six cases of flu were confirmed, of which three were associated with the A H3 influenza virus and three with the B influenza virus. (Adevarul)
Government Allots RON1.42B From Privatization Proceeds To EU Fund Management Authorities
The Romanian Government has decided to temporarily allot RON1.42 billion from privatization proceeds to provide financing to EU fund management authorities for the months of January and February 2015.
The funds will be used to reimburse the eligible expenses of EU fund beneficiaries and the eligible expenses included in the payment applications targeting structural instruments, for the program increasing economic competitiveness (POSCCE), the program for the development of human resources (POS DRU) and the Regional Operational Program (POR).
The amounts will be distributed to the Romanian EU Funds Ministry for the POSCCE and POS DRU programs, namely, RON460 million and RON560 million, respectively, and to the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration (for the Regional Operational Program) – RON400 million. (Romania Libera)
Romania Ranks 17th In EU By Value Added In SMEs, Last By Active Firms
Romania ranks 17th in the European Union in terms of total value added of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and last by the number of active SMEs, according to a survey by the Post-Privatization Foundation.
The survey shows that Romania has 426,295 active SMEs in the non-financial economy- the smallest SME density in the EU28, which have 2.71 million employees. Romania ranks eighth in the EU by share in the total number of employees within SMEs. Also, the value added of SMEs is EUR25.8 billion.
Romania has 21.3 SMEs per one thousand inhabitants, compared to an EU average of 42.7 firms. The highest SME density is registered in the Czech Republic (95.9 SMEs/1,000 inhabitants), Portugal (73.5 SMEs/1,000 inhabitants), Malta (73 SMEs/1,000 inhabitants) and Slovakia (70.2 SMEs/1,000 inhabitants). (Puterea)
Consumer Protection Association Sees Personal Bankruptcy Law As Solution To Swiss Franc Crisis
Romania’s Consumer Protection Association said a personal bankruptcy law would be a solution to the recent Swiss franc crisis.
The association blasted the commitments of the governments that have ruled Romania over the last years, arguing they had undertaken several times to the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission not to adopt a law in this respect.
The Swiss franc, seen as a safe-haven currency in times of crisis, gained 27% on the euro on January 15, hitting a record high, following the Swiss National Bank’s decision to scrap the exchange rate ceiling.
The move to remove the cap on the Swiss franc conversion rates sent the Romanian leu soaring against the euro and dealt a staggering blow to about 200,000 Romanians with loans in this currency, who found themselves having to pay about 15% more on their loan installments overnight. (Adevarul)
Chamber Of Deputies Convenes Tuesday For Talks On Personal Bankruptcy Law
The Standing Office of the Chamber of Deputies was summoned Tuesday morning for talks on Parliament’s extraordinary session regarding the personal insolvency law.
Liberals requested Monday that lawmakers convene in extraordinary session to adopt a bill on personal bankruptcy.
Liberal leader Alina Gorghiu said the personal bankruptcy law is the only regulation that can help consumers unable to pay back their loans to steer clear of foreclosure. It can also help consumers fulfil their obligations toward banks, which is advantageous for both parties.
Romania is one of the few countries in Europe that doesn’t have personal bankruptcy legislation, leaving over-indebted consumers unprotected against creditors, a report commissioned by the European Commission showed in April 2013. (Adevarul)