Romania To Spend The Most On Welfare, Healthcare, Transport, Education In 2014
Romani’s welfare, healthcare, transport and education sectors will suck up the most state budget funds in 2014, namely, RON231.2 billion, compared to RON221.8 billion in 2013, according to an official document obtained by MEDIAFAX.
The bulk of public funds will go to welfare, namely, RON76.3 billion, compared to RON73.4 billion in 2013.
The sectors in question will also receive funds from local authorities.
The agriculture, national defense and environment sectors, however, will receive the least money. (Curentul)
Excise Goods Brought Into Romania To Be Subject To Excise Duties
Private Individuals who bring into Romania, from non-EU countries, goods subject to excise duties, such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, will pay excise duties.
The new measure will apply to private individuals who bring such products into Romania regularly, that is, several times a day or several times a week, as per an order of the president of Romania’s tax authority ANAF. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Romania’s Planned Tax On “Special Constructions” Could Be 1% Of Construction Value
The Romanian Government’s planned tax on “special constructions” starting 2014 could be 1% of the construction value, instead of 1.5% proposed initially.
The new tax will be levied on special constructions in the rail, road and telecom infrastructures and targets both Romanian and foreign firms operating locally.
The government has decided to extend the property tax pool as of 2014, as per agreement with the International Monetary Fund, to include previously exempted types of properties such as special constructions.
The Government expects the measure will reign in revenue of 488 million lei (nearly EUR110 million) in 2014. (Gandul)
Romgaz Closed At RON34.5/Unit, Secured 85% Of Bucharest Bourse’s Liquidity
The shares of Romanian state-run natural gas company Romgaz (SNG.RO) closed at RON34.5 in its first day of trading in Bucharest, securing transfers worth RON92 million, or 85% of the Bucharest Bourse’s liquidity.
Romgaz shares opened at RON35.85 per unit, 19.5% higher than the offering price, of RON30/unit, and closed at 34.5 per share, 15% higher than the offering price.
The company last month raised 1.7 billion lei (about EUR383 million) in an initial public offering of shares and GDRs in Bucharest and London. (Adevarul)
Deputy PM: Ports May No Longer Go Under Local Authorities’ Control
Romania’s deputy prime minister Liviu Dragnea said Tuesday, during debates on the decentralization bill, which entails transferring duties from central to local authorities, that ports might no longer be transferred under the local authorities’ control.
Dragnea said ports, the sites on which they are located and moorings belong to the public domain of the state, whereas port installations and equipment belong to two commercial companies – APDF and APDM Giurgiu.
Early November, Prime Minister Victor Ponta said the Government would seek a confidence vote in Parliament on a bill decentralizing public administration “around November 15.”