People Without Health Cards To Get Medical Services Temporarily
Insured people who have not yet got their health cards will receive medical services only temporarily, said Vasile Ciurchea, president of the National Health Insurance House (CNAS).
Ciurchea also said that competent authorities will make public the deadline by which medical services will be provided to people who do not yet have health cards.
The health card, which is mandatory for all Romanians aged over 18, includes the patient’s ID information: name, surname and sole insurance code, as well as basic medical history and blood type. (Adevarul)
Central Bank Cuts Key Rate To Record Low 1.75%
Romania’s central bank on Wednesday surprisingly lowered its main monetary policy rate by 25 basis points to a new record low of 1.75%, the seventh rate cut in the current reduction cycle started in August 2014.
In its latest board meeting on March 31, the bank adopted a similar rate cut, but analysts said that was the end of the current reduction cycle, estimating the policymakers will turn to lowering minimum requirement ratios, which are largely above the European averages.
And the bank added to the rate cut a two-percentage point reduction to the minimum reserve requirement ratio for leu deposits, to 8% from 10%. However, the bank kept its requirement ratio at 14% for hard currency deposits at its Wednesday board meeting. (Romania Libera)
Romanian Banking System Profitability Seen Recovering This Year On Lower Risk Costs
The local banking system could return to profit this year, with a return on equity estimated at 2.7% this year and 3.9% in 2016, as risk costs and non-performing loan rates will be lowered to 2.8% in 2015 and 2.4% in 2016, according to study by Deloitte.
The system’s profitability was affected last year by the purging of non-performing loans, which had to be fully covered with provisions. Cleaner lending portfolios should allow for a considerable drop in net provisions in 2015-2016, lowering lending risk costs.
Risk costs in Romania were among the highest in the region (4% in 2013) and had a difficult year in 2014 as well (4.1%), as banks speed up amortization and provisioning. These costs are expected to drop to 2.8% in 2015 and 2.4% in 2016, according to the Deloitte study ordered by local banking industry association CPBR. (Puterea)
Youths Willing To Start Businesses In Agriculture May Receive Up To EUR50,000
Youths in Romania willing to start businesses in agriculture this year, based on European Union funds, may receive up to EUR50,000 from the Agriculture Ministry.
The ministry posted on its website, ever since 2014, a series of standard projects which, according to authorities, need no approvals and authorizations, but only the approval for production sale.
Young farmers willing to set up farms may access EU funds in agriculture. Thus, the ministry said that for a five-year period, young people willing to carry out projects in agriculture may receive up to EUR50,000. The money will be granted in two tranches. (Adevarul)
Parliament Adopts Three Election Bills
Romanian lawmakers adopted three election bills which are expected to be passed into laws by President Klaus Iohannis.
Lawmakers adopted the bill on the financing of political parties, the bill regarding political parties and the bill regarding local elections. (Adevarul)