Ludovic Orban To Lead Liberal Parliamentary Group
Ludovic Orban, first vice-president of the liberal Party, will lead the liberal group in the Chamber of Deputies and Ion Popa will be the leader of the liberal senators group.
Liberal and democrat liberal MPs will be part of the same group in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate as of February 1, when the Parliament goes back in session. (Adevarul)
Ponta Announces Budget Deficit Of 1.85% of GDP For 2014
Prime Minister Victor Ponta announced the country ran a budget deficit of 1.85% of GDP in 2014, admitting the government was unable to spend all the money it had allotted for investments.
After two months of relative balance, October and November, the state budget posted a deficit in December but not because the government increased investments but because it used that money to pay off foreclosures. (Adevarul)
Pharma, Transport, Real Estate And Construction Firms Most Prone To Insolvency This Year
Companies in the pharmaceutical industry, transport companies, real estate and construction firms are most prone to insolvency this year, as over 3,000 businesses in these sectors face major difficulties or imminent insolvency, according to insolvency practitioner CITR.
According to relevant data regarding the segment of companies with a major impact in the Romanian economy, with total assets of more than EUR1.5 million, CITR has found around 9,000 companies in difficulty or on the verge of insolvency. Of these, 3,158 operate in the real estate, construction, pharmaceutical and transport industries.
Overall, CITR expects a drop in the number of insolvencies in Romania in 2015. According to the Trade Registry, over 20,000 businesses went insolvent in 2014, 30% fewer than in 2013. (Puterea)
Romanian Executives Expect Declining Activity In Retail, Constructions In 1Q
Romanian managers predict activity in the retail sector will moderately fall over the January-March period compared with the previous three months, with a significant decline expected in constructions, the statistics institute INS said in a survey released Wednesday.
Activity in the manufacturing industry and the services sector is seen stable over the first quarter, the survey showed.
Employee numbers are expected to rise moderately in retail, but decline in the services and constructions sectors during the analyzed period. Executives also predict a relative stability in staff numbers in the manufacturing industry. (Romania Libera)
Romania To Borrow EUR200M From IBRD For Education
Romania’s government has approved the contracting of a EUR200 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) for education.
The government plans to use the money to finance a project regarding high school education. The project targets to improve transition from secondary to tertiary education and to raise the passing rate for first year university students. (Curierul National)
Health Insurance Card To Be Operational As Of February
The national health insurance card will become operational starting February 1 and may be used by patients when they see family physicians, in hospitals and pharmacies, as well as other medical service providers.
The card will be used in parallel to the current system of referrals until April 30. As of May, the health insurance card will remain the sole instrument for the validation of medical services. (Puterea)