Senate Adopts Criminal Code Amendment Allowing Public Officials To Hire Family
A bill amending the Criminal Code to allow public officials to hire their own relatives up to the second degree has been adopted tacitly in the Senate.
The bill, initiated by MPs of the social democratic, conservative and Hungarian minorities parties, was adopted on March 25 and no longer qualifies the hiring of relatives as conflict of interests.
The bill will move on to the Chamber of Deputies, which has the final say. (Adevarul)
President Iohannis Calls For Governmental Transparency For American Investments
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis wants Romania-U.S. trade relations to reach the same level as the two countries’ political and military collaboration.
The president calls for more predictability and transparency in governing and legislation, which are essential to American investors.
“We want the U.S. to be among the top ten foreign investors in Romania,” said Iohannis. (Puterea)
Executives See Economic Recovery In Spring Season
Romanian managers predict activity in all economic sectors will grow over the March-May period compared with the previous three months, the statistics institute INS said in a survey released Monday.
Activity in retail is seen significantly higher in the analyzed period, while output in the services sector is expected to grow moderately. A sound increase is also predicted for the manufacturing industry and the constructions sector.
Employee numbers are expected to rise in retail, manufacturing industry, and constructions, but remain stable in the services sector in the spring months.
Prices are seen stable in all industries in the March-May period, except retail, where they are expected to rise. (Adevarul)
Romgaz Announces Two New Gas Discoveries In Romania
Romania’s largest natural gas producer Romgaz (SNG.RO) Monday announced two new onshore gas discoveries, which account for 3% of its daily production.
The first well, drilled at a 4,100-meter depth, is located in the exploration-development -production block RG 04 Moldova Nord, an area where Romgaz produces gas since 1972. This drilling operation, completed in January 2015, discovered a gas-condensate field which is currently under the development phase, the company said.
The other well is drilled at 2,600 m depth and is included in the block RG 03 Transilvania Sud, where some of the oldest Romanian natural gas fields are located. “The discovery, made in January 2014, identified a new natural gas field where currently more wells are drilled for full assessment and development,” Romgaz added. (Puterea)
Elimination Of EU Milk Quotas Cold Drive 60% Of Local Dairy Farms Out Of Business
The elimination of the milk quota in the EU as of April 1 could result in the shutdown of 60% of dairy farms in Romania, unions in the industry warned, as western farmers get subsidies four times higher than Romanians.
The current situation found in German retail chains Kaufland and Lidl, which only sell imported milk, could become the norm after April 1, as 60% of local dairy farms risk being driven off the market by cheap imports. (Romania Libera)
Malpractice Victims Won’t Get Claims Higher Than EUR30,000
Malpractice victims will not be able to receive claims higher than EUR30,000 and the doctor’s action will fall under the statute of limitations unless the victim presses charges within 12 months.
This according to provisions of a bill that had been adopted in Senate even though the Health Ministry had disapproved of it.
The bill will move to the Chamber of Deputies, which has the final say in the matter. (Adevarul)
Norway Funds Cancer Prevention Programs In Romania
The Norwegian government is financing two of the most important cancer prevention programs in Romania.
Norwegian authorities have offered RON1.5 million to a team of oncologists in Cluj. The money will be used for 10,000 pap smear tests to check for uterine cancer and 5,000 mammograms.
The project also includes cost of treatment. Employees of the Institute for Oncology will get two mobile testing units to reach isolated rural communities. (Romania Libera)