Meal Vouchers To Reach RON15
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has signed off on a bill allowing the value of meal vouchers to be raised to RON15.
Meal vouchers, offered as employee benefits, currently have a nominal value of RON9.
Under the law, employers may choose to keep the current voucher value or raise it to a maximum RON15. (Puterea)
Financing For SMEs Developing Innovation Projects
The government approved a memorandum introducing an aid scheme for small and medium sized businesses that develop innovation projects.
SMEs may get grants to finance projects with a high degree of innovation. Innovation grants may not exceed RON45,000 in non-reimbursable funding and SMEs may use the money to pay for 90% of the total cost of research services.
The aid will be available starting the fourth quarter of 2016, until 2018. The scheme has a total budget of RON20.25 million, of which RON6.75 million for 2016. The government estimates 450 SMEs will benefit from this aid throughout the duration of the program. (Evenimentul Zilei)
President Iohannis Signs Off On Law Banning Food Waste
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has signed off on a bill aiming to reduce food waste by forcing vendors to lower prices or donate food products nearing the expiry date.
The law sets fines of up to RON10,000 for failure to comply. The parliament adopted the bill on November 18.
According to statistic data, between 82 and 114 million tons of food were lost or wasted annually in the EU in 2012-2014.
The food products nearing their expiry date will be donated to foundations, NGOs, almshouses, hospitals or orphanages based on contracts signed between the parties.
Application norms for the law must be developed within six months. (Adevarul)
Study Places Romania Among Top Countries Using Bribes To Solve Problems
According to a Transparency International report, 29% of Romanian households resort to bribe to ease their access to public services.
The study, which covers Europe and Central Asia, shows one in six households on average has paid bribes to access public services. The rate grows significantly for eastern countries.
The biggest rates were in Tajikistan (50%), Republic of Moldova (42%), Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine (38%). Romania had the highest rate among EU countries, with 29%, the report showed. (Evenimentul Zilei)