Bulgarians Voice Out Serious Defects At Calafat-Vidin Bridge
The road-rail bridge over the Danube linking Calafat (Romania) to Vidin (Bulgaria) has at least 20 serious defects which were identified following checkups by the Bulgarian Transport Ministry, according to Novinite.com.
“I do not understand why media talk about a pothole on Danube Bridge 2, when it comes to many potholes and a whole series of problems,” said Bulgarian Transport Minister Danail Papazov, cited by Novinite.com.
“If it can be comforting, the Romanian part is in worse condition,” Papazov also said.
Several days ago, a large pothole gapped in the middle of the bridge, which was paved only 4 months ago, in the traffic lane from Romania to Bulgaria.
Romania and Bulgaria inaugurated the Calafat-Vidin bridge at the middle of June 2013. (Evenimentul Zilei)
GfK: Romanians More Optimistic Regarding Their Country’s Economic Development In 2013
Romanians are more optimistic regarding their country’s economic development this year and both their willingness to buy and income expectations increased in the third quarter of 2013 compared with the previous one, according to a survey conducted by GfK.
The indicator regarding economic expectations rose 4.6 points to -11.5 points in the third quarter from -16.1 points in April-June, according to the GfK Consumer Climate Europe survey for the third quarter of 2013.
The indicator regarding income expectations improved to -4.5 points from -5.3 points, and the one concerning willingness to buy rose to -21.1 points from -22.5 points.
“For 2013, all experts are anticipating a slight revival in the so far extremely weak Romanian economy. The forecasts for this improvement vary from 1.6 percent to 2.0 percent. Between 2014 and 2016, the Romanian economy is expected to see growth of between 2.7 percent and 4.3 percent. According to current estimates, GDP rose by 0.5 percent in the second quarter. The overall economic framework conditions are favorable: national debt is at around 34 percent, the budget deficit is around 2.5 percent and unemployment is in the region of 7 percent,” the survey reads.
According to the document, Romania still needs a number of reforms in order to keep pace with other European countries. (Romania Libera)
Romania To Resume CFR Marfa Sale After Talks With IMF, EU
Romania will restart privatization procedures for 51% in freight railway carrier CFR Marfa after talks to set a new privatization calendar with the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission, Transport Minster Ramona Manescu said Tuesday.
“CFR Marfa will continue its privatization procedure. We will be meeting our partners with the IMF and European Commission these days to discuss the calendar,” said Manescu, adding a privatization calendar agreed in principle is expected to be presented in a Cabinet meeting later this week.
She added the escrow account into which Grup Feroviar Roman (GFR) transferred EUR20 million of the EUR202 million it bid for CFR Marfa has been unblocked and the company will get its money back. GFR will also get back the EUR10 million it deposited as guarantee to be allowed to bid for the freight carrier.
The sale of 51% in CFR Marfa failed as sale procedures were not completed by the October 14 deadline. (Jurnalul National)
Tarom To Replace Board Chairman, Extend CEO Term Back To Four Years
Dan Pascariu will be dismissed as chairman of the board of state-owned airliner Tarom and Christian Heinzmann’s CEO term will be extended back to four years, people close to the matter said Tuesday.
“The decision on the dismissal will be made during a board meeting Tuesday,” the sources said.
Nicolae Demetriade Tuesday said he resigned from the position of Tarom CEO and board member.
Demetriade was appointed CEO of Tarom in June, after the company’s managing board decided to shorten the four-year term of Belgian general manager Christian Heinzmann to one year, dissatisfied with the latter’s activity. Demetriade was appointed member in Tarom’s board in May. He had served as general manager of Tarom between 2001 and 2002. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Romanian PM Ponta Meets With US Vice President Biden
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta met with US Vice President Joe Biden for talks which focused on the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Ponta said Romania remains an important ally of the United States in the region, from a political, military and economic standpoint.
The Vice President, in turn, reaffirmed the enduring U.S. commitment to a strategic partnership with Romania and thanked the Prime Minister for Romania’s steadfast support on a range of regional challenges, including in Afghanistan and its hosting of a missile defense base in Deveselu in support of key NATO capabilities. (Adevarul)