Romanian PM To Make Official Visit To United States In October
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta will make an official visit to the United States at the end of October, people close to the matter told daily gandul.
Ponta will meet with U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden at the White House.
Talks will focus on the antimissile shield in Deveselu and U.S. investments in Romania, the sources said. (Gandul)
Fin Min: Romania To Cut Social Security Contribution Rates For Income From Salary
The Romanian Government pledged in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund to look into ways to widen the social security contribution base while reducing contribution rates, Finance Minister Daniel Chitoiu told Mediafax.
According to the minister, Romania will not raise social security contributions for freelancers and income from copyright but will cut the social contribution rate for income from salary.
Currently, social security contribution rates in Romania are 20.8% of the gross wage (the employer’s contribution) and 10.5% (the employee’s contribution).
End-July, the authorities in Bucharest reached an agreement with the officials of the IMF and the European Commission for a two-year stand-by loan deal worth EUR4 billion. Half of the money will come from the IMF and the Romanian authorities will treat the deal as precautionary, meaning they do not plan to draw on the available funds. (Gandul)
Romania 2Q Labor Costs Rise At 3rd Fastest Pace In EU
Total hourly labor costs in the Romanian economy rose 6% on the year in the second quarter on 2013, the third largest increase in the European Union, official data showed Monday.
Hourly labor costs in Romania rose 6% in the second quarter, higher compared to the EU and euro zone average of 0.9%, according to Eurostat.
Higher increases among EU member states were registered only in Estonia (+7.7%) and Lithuania (+6.5%).
Decreases were recorded in Slovenia (-5.9%), Cyprus (-4.6%), Croatia (-0.6%) and Spain (-0.3%). (Evenimentul Zilei)