Radio România Internațional

Tag: fiscal

  • Fiscal measures to reduce the budget deficit

    Fiscal measures to reduce the budget deficit


    A state budget deficit significantly above the target has prompted the Romanian authorities to take steps to address the situation.



    The finance minister Marcel Boloș announced on Thursday that this set of tax-related measures must be endorsed in September, first of all in order to ensure that EU funding is not suspended.



    “Not implementing these measures or implementing them too late would lead to a budget deficit of around 7% of GDP,” Marcel Boloș explained, and warned that this is a turning point for Romania.



    The set of changes announced by the finance minister includes measures targeting multinational corporations and a 10-fold increase in fines in order to curb tax evasion. Adding to these are increased royalties, even 1000 times, for mineral resources and hydrocarbons, and an extensive reorganization plan for the national tax administration agency in order to improve revenue collection.



    Marcel Boloş: “It is unfair for companies that develop mineral resources and have billions in turnover and huge profits to pay minimal, even insulting royalties to the state budget. These will be rearranged, and some royalty categories will be even 1,000 times higher. It is only reasonable. These are royalties for the exploitation of mineral resources and hydrocarbons as well as for the land itself, and it is ridiculous and absurd for the state budget to receive RON 2.5 million for 300,000 hectares.ˮ



    As for the measures targeting the public sector, Marcel Boloş mentioned decentralization and the regionalisation of public services, so as to eliminate what he called the “splurge” of public money.



    “We need a lot less bureaucracy, a lot more thoughtfulness in spending public money,ˮ Marcel Boloș pointed out. According to him, these measures are expected to have a combined impact of 2% of GDP.



    Meanwhile, the news from the Fiscal Council is not encouraging. The institution made an upward adjustment of its budget deficit forecast, and says the deficit will be over 6% of GDP unless correction measures are implemented. According to the Councils annual report, the budget deficit for the first half of the year, standing at 2.3% of GDP, is around 0.63% higher than in the corresponding period of last year. The reasons have to do with the slower dynamics of certain categories of revenues and an increase in spending above the levels in the budget law. The Council reiterated the importance of introducing immediate corrections and of substantially increasing tax revenues. (AMP)


  • Fiscal Code Amendments

    Fiscal Code Amendments


    In times of crisis, taxes and charges should not be raised. This is a rule often mentioned by economic analysts and politicians.



    These days however, burdened by a two-digit inflation rate prompted by skyrocketing energy and natural gas prices, Romanians are finding it increasingly hard to cope. And they fear they will be unable to pay their bills this coming winter. Under these circumstances, additional taxes and charges only manage to bring people down even more.



    Asked recently about the amendments to the Fiscal Code that are taking effect on August 1, the president Klaus Iohannis said they do not introduce new taxes, but that they address situations that had not been properly regulated before. More precisely, this is about taxes introduced in other circumstances, perhaps without proper discussion or analysis, and it is now necessary to revisit them, to make things more transparent and fair, and thus to ensure better collection of state budget revenues. Better collection means less tax evasion, president Iohannis argued.



    That said, following the decisions made recently by the coalition government made up of the National Liberal Party, Social Democratic Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, as of August 1 tobacco products will be more expensive, ceilings for certain tax exemptions will be lower and the tax on gambling gains will be higher.



    To go into more detail, as of Monday, whether they smoke classical or electronic cigarettes, Romanians will pay more, as the tobacco excise duty is raised. The decision, the authorities say, was made in order to avoid an infringement procedure against Romania for the inadequate transposition of EU legislation in this respect.



    The prices of alcoholic beverages also go up. According to the finance minister Adrian Câciu, the excise duties for alcohol had not been updated since 2015.



    As for gambling gains, a higher tax will be levied, ranging between 3% and 40%.



    Changes are also operated as regards salaries in the construction industry, agriculture and the food industry, where the ceiling for certain tax rebates will be lowered from EUR 6,000 to EUR 2,000 per month.



    Also beginning on August 1, for a part-time employment contract, employers will have to pay taxes corresponding to a full minimum salary, which triggers concerns that many small companies might be forced out of business or resort to illegal employment.



    Even more changes to the Fiscal Code will take effect on January 1, 2023. For example, in the hospitality industry VAT will be raised from 5 to 9%, while the VAT for non-alcoholic beer and for sugary drinks will be raised to 19%. Property taxes will also be calculated on a new methodology. (AMP)


  • July 31, 2022 UPDATE

    July 31, 2022 UPDATE

    TAXATION On 1 August, some of the
    fiscal measures introduced recently by the coalition government made up of the
    National Liberal Party, Social Democratic Party and the Democratic Union of
    Ethnic Hungarians in Romania take effect. On Monday the tobacco excise duty is
    to increase, as is the tax on gambling gains. Changes are also operated as
    regards salaries in the construction industry, agriculture and foodstuffs, where
    the ceiling for certain tax rebates will be lowered. Further changes to the
    Fiscal Code will take effect early next year. For example, in the hospitality
    industry VAT will be raised from 5 to 9%, while the VAT for non-alcoholic beer
    and for sugary drinks will be raised to 19%. Sales of houses bigger than 120
    sqm or for prices of over EUR 120,000 will also carry increased VAT. According
    to government estimates, these changes will bring the state budget an
    additional EUR 243 million this year and some EUR 2.1 billion in 2023.



    FESTIVAL Transylvania is a model of inter-ethnic harmony and
    tolerance at European level, the PM Nicolae Ciuca said at the Haferland Week
    Festival, devoted to the Saxon culture. The PM highlighted that Romania is a
    democratic state, where diverging or even opposing views and ideas may be
    expressed, but that these views must not become radical and any expression of
    authoritarianism, extreme nationalism or populism must be prevented. Also
    attending the Haferland Week, president Klaus Iohannis said it was very
    important for each of us to be aware of the threat entailed by climate change,
    and added that we have a responsibility towards protecting our planet and
    resources. In this context, he emphasised, education remains the key to a
    greener future and a sustainable society.


    DIPLOMACY In the context of Romania’s strong show of solidarity
    during this war in Ukraine, with our management of the over 1.75 million
    Ukrainian refugees who have entered Romania since the start of the war, a
    situation which we have managed successfully, I believe we can hope for
    consistent and firm support from Germany for Romania’s Schengen accession as
    soon as possible, the Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu said. This is
    important among other things for the inter-human relations between Romania and
    Germany, between the ethnic Germans in Romania and Germany and conversely,
    between the Romanian community in Germany and Romania, Aurescu emphasised upon
    opening on Sunday the Romanian-German Bilateral Cooperation Forum, on the
    sidelines of the 10th edition of the ‘Haferland Week’ cultural
    festival in Romania.


    CENSUS Sunday was the
    last day of the official population and housing census in Romania, after
    several extensions. According to the National statistics Institute, over 90% of
    the process had been completed by early this week. The purpose of the census was
    to establish the number of people living on Romanian territory, as well as the
    living standards in each locality. Based on the data collected, the
    authorities will create public policies and earmark funding for each town or
    village. At EU level, the number of people
    living in Romania is a criterion in the distribution of EU funds. The census was
    compulsory for all Romanian citizens.


    COVID More than 4,000 new
    SARS-CoV-2 infections out of over 13,000 tests, as well as 13 COVID-related
    deaths were reported on Sunday in Romania, the authorities announced. The
    number of COVID patients in hospitals is over 3,900, of whom more than 260 are
    in intensive care. The authorities estimate that next week Romania could see
    10,000 new cases per day. Although spreading very quickly, this variant of the virus causes less
    severe forms of the disease.


    UKRAINE The Romanian foreign ministry condemns the shelling of the
    Olenivka prison and the killing of Ukrainian POWs, reads a message issued on
    Sunday. These heinous crimes committed by Russia call for international
    investigation and sanctioning. Condolences to the families and full support for
    Ukraine, the foreign ministry’s Twitter post also reads. A prison in Olenivka was
    attacked on Friday, with most of the 193 Ukrainian prisoners of war there
    killed or wounded, according to the Russian defence ministry, which Saturday
    released the names of 50 dead and 73 wounded. Russia claims the strike came
    from a HIMARS system provided by the US to Ukraine, as Kyiv seeks to recover
    the territories controlled by pro-Russian separatists in the east of the
    country. Ukraine replied it would never attack civilian sites, especially one
    housing its own people, and accused Russia of organising the attack in
    retaliation against the Ukrainian nationalists among the prisoners brought
    there from Mariupol several weeks ago. (AMP)

  • July 31, 2022

    July 31, 2022

    TAXATION On 1 August, some of the fiscal measures introduced
    recently by the coalition government made up of the National Liberal Party,
    Social Democratic Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in
    Romania take effect. On Monday the tobacco excise duty is to increase, as is
    the tax on gambling gains. Changes are also operated as regards salaries in the
    construction industry, agriculture and foodstuffs, where the ceiling for
    certain tax rebates will be lowered. Further changes to the Fiscal Code will
    take effect early next year. For example, in the hospitality industry VAT will
    be raised from 5 to 9%, while the VAT for non-alcoholic beer and for sugary
    drinks will be raised to 19%. Sales of houses bigger than 120 sq.m. or for prices
    of over EUR 120,000 will also carry increased VAT. According
    to government estimates, these changes will bring the state budget an
    additional EUR 243 million this year and some EUR 2.1 billion in 2023.



    FESTIVAL Medieval
    Sighişoara Festival in central Romania comes to a close today with a
    concert by the rock band Cargo and a spectacular fireworks show. Currently in
    its 28th year, the festival recreated the medieval feel with the
    help of the over 100 participating artists. Events included medieval music and
    dance performances, theatre plays, animation, and arts and crafts workshops. The
    festival was organized under the patronage of Her Majesty Margareta, custodian of the Crown of Romania. Sighişoara is the
    only inhabited medieval citadel in south-eastern Europe.


    MILITARY The world’s
    strongest air assault force, the US 101st Airborne Division, started
    its mission in Romania, following a decision in this respect taken at the
    recent NATO summit in Madrid. PM Nicolae Ciucă Saturday took part in the
    ceremony in which the US unit presented its colours at Mihail Kogălniceanu Airbase
    57 and welcomed the presence of this force, which contributes to strengthening
    NATO’s eastern flank. The Romanian official thanked the US troops deployed to
    Romania for their effort and contribution to the country’s security. Civilians,
    airport personnel and their families then watched an impressive demonstration
    showcasing the firepower of the Romanian and US armed forces. Created in 1942 to free Europe from the Nazi
    occupation, the US 101st Airborne Division has 2,400 troops
    deployed in Romania, 4,700 in Europe and nearly 20,000 around the world. In one
    night alone, it can mobilise a brigade of 4,000 troops and hundreds of military
    vehicles, equipment and weapon systems, an assault force able to overwhelm any opponent.


    CENSUS Sunday is the
    last day of the official population and housing census in Romania, after
    several extensions. According to the National Statistics Institute, over 90% of
    the process had been completed by early this week. The purpose of the census is to
    establish the number of people living on Romanian territory, as well as the
    living standards in each locality. Based on the data collected, the
    authorities will create public policies and earmark funding for each town or
    village. At EU level, the number of people
    living in Romania is a criterion in the distribution of EU funds. The census is
    compulsory for all Romanian citizens.


    COVID More than 4,000 new SARS-CoV-2 infections out of over 13,000
    tests, as well as 13 COVID-related deaths were reported on Sunday in Romania, the
    authorities announced. The number of COVID patients in hospitals is over 3,900,
    of whom more than 260 are in intensive care. The authorities estimate that next
    week Romania could see 10,000 new cases per day. Although spreading very
    quickly, this variant of the virus causes less severe forms of the disease.


    TENNIS
    The Romanian tennis player Ana Bogdan (108 WTA) plays today against Caroline
    Garcia of France (45 WTA), in the Warsaw WTA tournament finals. They only
    played against each other once before, at Wimbledon
    in 2017, when the French player won. On Saturday, Ana Bogdan, currently
    at her first WTA final in her career, defeated Kateryna Baindl of Ukraine (190
    WTA), 7-5, 7-5. (AMP)

  • Hăbări ditu bana românească şi internaţională

    Hăbări ditu bana românească şi internaţională

    COD FISCAL. București s’duc ninti consultările anamisa di autorităț, sindicate și patronate, după ţi reprezentanțălli a mediului di emburlăki, sindicatelor și autorităților locale și spusiră niifharistusearea andicra di alăxerli pi cari guvernul ari naeti s’li facă la Codlu fiscal. Tru cadrul a muabeţloru purtate luni cu premierlu Nicolae Ciucă și ministrul di finanțe Adrian Câciu, aești căftară, ntră altili, amânarea ti anlu ţi yini a misurlor pi care guvernul ari naeti s’li bagă tru lucru di la di 1 agustu. Anamisa di aestea s’arădăpsescu acciza la alcool, taxe, plafonlu ma ñicu ti facilitățile fiscale tru sectorul a construcțiilor și ideea ca lucrătorlli cu fracțiune di normă s’păltească contribuții sociale uidisitu cu tiñia di cafi mesu minimă națională.



    INFLAȚIA. Rata anuală a inflațillei agiumsi la 15,1% tru cirisaru, andicra di 14,5% tru mai, dimăndă adză Institutlu Național di Statistică. Uidisitu cu instituția, păhadzlli la produsele nealimentare criscură cu aproapea 18%, păhadzlli la alimente criscură cu aproapea 15% și păhălu a serviciilor criscu și el cu aproapea 8%. Banca Națională a Româniillei ș-ajustă prognoza di inflație la 12,5% ti bitisita aluştui anu și la 6,7% ti bitisita a anului 2023.



    COVID. Ahurhinda di adză, actualizările COVID-19 va s’hibă lansate cafi dzuă tru România, andicra di cu si făţea siptămânal, după ună creaștiri cabaia mari a numirlui di cazuri, dublânda numirlu di noi infecții la cathi 7 dzăli. Autoritățli dimăndară marță că pisti 4.000 di persoani fură testate pozitiv tru 24 di săhăţ, ditu aţeali cama di 21.000 di teste fapti. Fură raportate și nauă decesi ligate di COVID, tuti la paciență cari avea afecțiuni tu kirolu di ma ninti. Numirlu a paciențălor cu COVID internaț easti di 1.361, cu 90 di paciență tru terapie intensivă. Uidisitu cu experțăll, naua sumvarianta Omicron cari aduţi dalaga di tora cu infecție tru tută lumea, și cari fu aflată și tru România, zniipseaşti protecția oferită emu di vaccin, emu și di imunizarea naturală, ama tru general pare ca aduţi turlii cama apridunati a lăngoarillei. Ministrul a Sănătatillei Alexandru Rafila dimăndă că misurli di prevenire armân tru vigoare, maxusu ti anvălearea a prosuplui și distanțarea fizică. Vaccinurile contra a COVID-19 suntu nica fapti urminie di autorități, maxus ti categoriili vulnerabili.



    PARTENERIAT România nu are niţi un soţ ma bun” andicra di SUA, declară secretarlu di stat ali SUA Antony Blinken, cu furñia că s-umplură 25 di ani di la lansarea a Parteneriatului Strategic anamisa di Washington și București. Tu arada a lor, foștilli ambasadori ali SUA la București declară tru ună carti că parteneriatlu strategic cu România fu ună ditu nai cama buni investiții ditu Europa tră SUA. Elli nica spunu că România agioacă un rol decisiv tru apărarea și anvărtuşearea a flancului estic al NATO și tru anvărtuşearea a stabilitatillei și securitatillei la Amarea Lae.



    Autoru: Udălu a hăbărloru


    Armânipsearia: Taşcu Lala

  • July 12, 2022

    July 12, 2022

    FISCAL CODE Consultations continue in Bucharest between the authorities,
    trade unions and employers’ associations, after representatives of the business
    community, trade unions and local authorities voiced discontent with the
    changes the government intends to operate on the Fiscal Code. During the talks held on Monday with PM Nicolae Ciucă and the finance
    minister Adrian Câciu, they requested, among other things, a postponement to
    next year of the measures that the government plans to introduce as of August 1.
    These include the increase in alcohol excise duties, the lower ceiling for tax
    facilities in the constructions sector and the idea that part-time employees
    should pay social contributions corresponding to the national minimum wage.


    INFLATION The year-on-year inflation rate reached 15.1% in June, as
    against 14.5% in May, the National Statistics Institute announced today. According
    to the institution, non-foodstuff prices went up nearly 18%, food prices rose
    by roughly 15% and the price of services also increased by some 8%. The
    National Bank of Romania adjusted its inflation forecast to 12.5% for the end
    of this year and to 6.7% for the end of 2023.


    COVID Starting today, COVID-19 updates will be released on a daily basis
    in Romania rather than weekly, after a steep rise in the number of cases,
    accounting for a doubling of new infection numbers every 7 days. On Tuesday the
    authorities announced over 4,000 people tested positive in 24 hours, out of
    over 21,000 tests conducted. Nine COVID-related deaths were also reported, all
    of them in patients suffering from prior conditions. The number of hospitalised
    COVID patients is 1,361, with 90 patients in intensive care. According to
    experts, the new Omicron sub-variant that causes the current infection wave
    around the world, and which has also been identified in Romania, affects the
    protection provided both by the vaccine and by natural immunisation, but it
    generally seems to cause milder forms of the disease. The health minister
    Alexandru Rafila announced that prevention measures remain in place, especially
    face covering and physical distancing. COVID-19 vaccines are still recommended
    by the authorities, particularly to vulnerable categories.


    PARTNERSHIP Romaniahas no better friend than the US, the US secretary of state
    Antony Blinken said on the celebration of 25 years since the launch of the
    Strategic Partnership between Washington and Bucharest. In turn, former US
    ambassadors to Bucharest state in a letter that the strategic partnership with
    Romania has proved to be one of the best investments in Europe for the US. They
    also say that Romania plays a decisive part in the defence and strengthening of
    NATO’s eastern flank and in consolidating stability and security at the Black
    Sea.


    REFUGEES Over the past 24 hours around 226,800 people have crossed the
    border in and out of Romania, the Romanian Border Police Inspectorate announced.
    Of these, over 22,000 are Ukrainian nationals who came into Romania via various
    checkpoints. Since the start of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, more than 1.5
    million Ukrainian citizens have crossed the border into Romania.


    VISIT The head of the European Public
    Prosecutor’s Office, Laura Codruţa Kovesi,
    is on an official visit to the R. of Moldova until 14 July. The European
    official will have meetings with Moldovan authorities. Moldova’s president Maia
    Sandu, who had a meeting with Laura Codruţa Kovesi in January 2021 in Brussels,
    expressed at that time her willingness to work together with the European
    institution to encourage the country’s reforms in the judiciary. Experts in
    Chişinău note that Codruţa Kovesi’s visit takes place after Moldova was recently
    granted the EU candidate status, and that Brussels would like to make sure that
    Moldova stays on a predictable path. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office
    became operational on 1 June 2021, and is in charge with investigating and
    prosecuting offences against the EU budget. (AMP)

  • Fiscal resetting in Romania

    Fiscal resetting in Romania

    The finance ministry made public the bill modifying the Fiscal Code of Romania, due to be endorsed by the government next week.



    The planned amendments include increases of the tobacco and alcohol excises, of taxes on gambling revenues, a lower ceiling for tax facilities in the constructions sector, agriculture and the food industry, and scraps previous tax facilities for the hospitality industry, with operators in the sector set to return to a regular tax on turnover. All these measures are scheduled to take effect on August 1.



    The document also includes provisions due to come into force as of January 2023, such as a raise on dividend taxes from 5% to 8% and a change in the criteria that define microenterprises by lowering the revenue ceiling from EUR 1 mln to EUR 500,000, with the microenterprise legally bound to have at least one employee.



    Also, as of January 1, VAT will be raised from 5% to 9%, both for food and beverage deliveries and for restaurant and catering services, as well as for accommodation services. The bill also stipulates changes in property owners taxes.



    On the other hand, governmental sources also mention a possible adjustment of pension benefits to the inflation rate, starting next year.



    The draft amendments to the Fiscal Code were one of the topics discussed by president Klaus Iohannis in a recent press conference. He pointed out that a modernisation of the fiscal legislation was due, and added that he had discussed this with the Liberal PM Nicolae Ciucă and the relevant ministers. The president also emphasised that no taxes and charges were considered for regular people, but that the changes are related to situations that had not been regulated properly before:



    Klaus Iohannis: “I have asked them to analyse things very carefully, to avoid putting additional burdens on regular people and not to discourage businesses, but instead to make changes that make things more transparent and fairer. Virtually, this would improve revenue collection to the state budget, and better collection means less tax evasion.”



    Romania does not plan an austerity procedure at this time, the president also added, and explained that measures of that kind taken during the 2009 economic crisis failed to yield good results. He also warned that the government cannot earmark substantial funds for offsetting the rise in fuel prices at the expense of investments, which are still necessary.



    Mr. Iohannis voiced satisfaction with the work of the government, and said the Cabinet members did their job well and solved a lot of problems. (AMP)

  • July 5, 2022 UPDATE

    July 5, 2022 UPDATE

    PRESIDENCY Romania is a very involved actor in the European policy
    and security policy, president Klaus Iohannis told a press conference on
    Tuesday. He emphasised that the recent decisions at the European Council and
    the NATO summit made Romania safer and more visible. Romanians are better
    protected, Romania is better protected, the head of state pointed out.


    TAXES Amendments to Romania’s Fiscal Code are subject to the
    decision transparency procedure until Friday, and scheduled for endorsement by
    the government next week. The changes agreed by the ruling coalition made up of
    the Social Democrats, the Liberals and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians
    in Romania in order to improve collection to the state budget include increases
    of the tobacco and alcohol excises, of the VAT for the hospitality industry and
    of property owner’s taxes. Gambling revenues up to roughly EUR 600 will be
    taxed by 10%, those between EUR 600 and 2,000 by 20% and those over EUR 2,000
    by 40%. Government sources say another measure introduces a 5% VAT rate for
    purchased houses of up to 120 square meters. Other amendments may increase
    house owner’s taxes by 60%. Taxes in the hospitality industry may also change
    so they may not be under 1% of the turnover starting next year.


    NATO
    Romania’s foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu hailed Tuesday’s
    signing of Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO accession protocols in Brussels by the
    standing representatives of the 2 countries and of the Allied states, including
    Romania. According to the Romanian foreign ministry, in
    the current security context marked by Russia’s illegal war of aggression
    against Ukraine, the 2 countries’ move proves their commitment to the
    democratic values and spirit that NATO safeguards and promotes. Romania, the
    ministry also says in a news release, has been one of the main supporters of
    the Open Door policy as central to NATO’s strategic approach in relation to its
    partner states. The decision to join the organization, Bucharest adds, is an
    option any state is free to take, based on meeting the criteria defined for the
    process and on the consensus of the Allies. No third party may affect NATO’s
    enlargement policy. Bucharest is also confident that Finland’s and Sweden’s
    accession will contribute to strengthening NATO security. After the
    representatives of the 2 countries signed the accession protocol, each NATO
    country’s parliament must ratify the decision, which may take up to one year.
    Turkey is the only NATO member to make ratification conditional on commitments
    regarding terrorism on the part of the 2 Nordic countries.


    CABINET Seven months into their term in office, all the ministers
    in the Liberal Nicolae Ciucă’s Cabinet have been reconfirmed in office. The PM
    talked to president Klaus Iohannis about the assessment of his cabinet members
    and according to political sources they agreed reshuffling is not necessary. Ciucă
    informed his ministers however that last-minute submissions of key projects
    under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan funded by the EU would not be
    acceptable. Following a 10-criteria assessment that took into account the
    expectations of Romanian citizens and society, PM Ciucă also presented a report
    on the work of his government, which included overcoming the health crisis,
    stabilisation of the energy crisis and the management of the effects of the war
    in neighbouring Ukraine. The report also mentions the largest investment budget
    of the last 32 years, the new Offshore Act and strengthening security within NATO
    and the EU.


    AUTOMOTIVE The city of Craiova, in southern Romania, Tuesday hosted
    a ceremony occasioned by the acquisition of the local Ford plant by Ford Otosan,
    the largest producer of commercial vehicles in Europe. The US-Turkish company
    announced investments of nearly EUR 500 million in the next 3 years, to
    increase production. The plant will make the new generation of a freight and
    passenger transport model, with a fully electric version as of 2024. Ford Puma,
    the best-selling Ford automobile in Europe, will also have an electric version
    as of 2024, to be produced in Craiova as well. Attending the event, PM Nicolae
    Ciuca highlighted the commitment of the company’s American and Turkish
    officials to strengthen and improve economic relations and strategic
    partnership with Romania. He also added that Romania’s National Recovery and
    Resilience Plan includes a commitment to have 18,000 EV charging stations ready
    in Romania by the end of 2026.


    SPORTS 494
    swimmers from 42 countries are competing in the European Junior Swimming
    Championships underway in Bucharest until July 10. The host country, Romania,
    is represented by 26 athletes, 14 boys and 12 girls, including the world
    champion in the 100m and 200m freestyle race, David Popovici. The 17 year old
    champion has already qualified for the semifinals of the 200m freestyle race. In
    turn, Cristian Lapadat qualified for the 200m butterfly semi-final. Aissia
    Claudia Prisecariu and Rebecca-Aimee Diaconescu have qualified for the women’s
    50m backstroke semi-finals, while Ana Maria Sibiseanu takes part in the
    semifinals of the women’s 200m freestyle race. Romania’s men and women teams will
    also compete in the 4×100 freestyle final.




    TENNIS US
    tennis player Amanda Anisimova will be playing Romanian Simona Halep in the
    quarter finals of the Grand Slam tennis tournament in Wimbledon. In the round
    of 16, Halep secured a 6-1, 6-2 win against Paola Badosa of Spain, while
    Anisimova defeated Harmony Tan of France 6-2, 6-3. A former world leader, Halep
    won the 2019 of Wimbledon and a year earlier the one in Roland Garros. (AMP)

  • May 23, 2022 UPDATE

    May 23, 2022 UPDATE

    ECONOMY Seven countries, including Romania, continue to
    experience imbalances, the European Commission announced on Monday, having
    assessed the existence of macroeconomic imbalances for the 12 Member States
    selected for in-depth reviews in the 2022 Alert Mechanism Report. The
    Commission points out that vulnerabilities in Romania’s economy relate to
    external accounts, linked to large fiscal deficits, and to competitiveness
    issues that are re-emerging. Large fiscal deficits pre-date the COVID-19 crisis
    and have driven up the current account deficit, which poses risks to external
    debt sustainability. Government debt increased significantly, although from
    moderate levels, sovereign borrowing costs kept growing, while bureaucracy and
    a volatile legislative framework will be a burden for investments, the
    Commission warns.


    RECOVERY The first payment request under the National Recovery and
    Resilience Plan, amounting to EUR 3 bln, will be submitted to the European
    Commission, PM Nicolae Ciucă announced on Monday. The money will finance
    projects in all the sections of the Plan and will impact several strategic
    sectors for Romania. PM Nicolae Ciuca appreciated the efforts of the
    institutions involved in the management of the RRP and asked for a steady pace
    in the efficient and high-quality implementation of the reforms and investment
    projects. This is an effort that must be carried on and extended in order for
    Romania to benefit from the EUR 30 bln available under the RRP for
    modernisation and development projects, Ciucă said.


    UKRAINE The number of people forced to flee conflict, violence, human
    rights violations and persecutions has exceeded 100 million for the first time,
    as a result of the war in Ukraine and other deadly conflicts, shows a statement
    from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The figure is staggering,
    worrying and should have never been reached, said UN High Commissioner for
    Refugees Filippo Grandi. By the end of 2021, the number of displaced people had
    reached 90 million worldwide, due to new waves of violence or protracted
    conflicts in countries such as Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Myanmar, Nigeria,
    Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. On February 24, the Russian
    President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, throwing
    further millions of people into the streets to flee fighting and reach less
    exposed regions or other countries. Europe has not seen such a rapid inflow of
    refugees since the end of World War II, UNHCR points out. Nearly 6.5 million
    Ukrainians have left the country, mostly women and children, and the UN
    estimates that their number could exceed 8 million by the end of the year.


    CANNES The Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu, competing at the Cannes Film
    Festival, hopes that his film ‘R.M.N.’, in which a village in Transylvania is
    like an explosive laboratory of populism, will open the eyes of Europeans to
    this evil that has been gnawing at them, AFP reports. Mungiu is in the race for
    a second Palme d’Or Prize, 15 years after his ‘4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days’.
    The film title, ‘R.M.N.’, refers to the medical term MRI – magnetic resonance
    imaging: Mungiu scans the underbelly of populism, an evil that has metastasized
    in a still traditional village, on the borders of Europe, AFP reports. ‘I hope
    that the public do not easily shy away from their responsibilities, do not
    think that this is happening in a remote, wild land. I’m afraid that’s not the
    case,’ said director Mungiu. The film takes place a few days before Christmas,
    in a village in Transylvania, where the Roma population disappeared, driven
    away by the inhabitants and the force of prejudice, and where the new ‘cursed
    people of the Earth’ appeared: Sri Lankan workers, brought to work at the local
    bakery after the Romanians went to work in the west. (AMP)

  • November 6, 2017 UPDATE

    November 6, 2017 UPDATE

    PROTESTS – Tens of thousands took to the streets on Sunday night in Bucharest and other major Romanian cities, protesting the plans of the ruling coalition to amend the tax code and the laws on the judiciary. The bills modifying the legal framework for the judiciary, drafted by the Justice Minister Tudorel Toader and currently under debate in Parliament, stipulate among other things the transfer of judicial inspection powers from the Higher Council of Magistrates to the Justice Ministry. The bills also exclude the head of state from the procedure to appoint the chief prosecutors. Meanwhile, the Government postponed to Wednesday a special meeting, originally scheduled on Monday, in which several fiscal measures were to be adopted, including the transfer of social security payments from employers to employees, the introduction of a so-called employment insurance contribution covering medical leaves and unemployment costs, and a reduction of income taxes from 16 to 10%. Also on Monday, the Senate dismissed a simple motion tabled by the Opposition against the Finance Minister Ionuţ Mişa. The Opposition, trade unions and employer associations say the measures proposed by Misa would severely affect the private sector. In turn, President Klaus Iohannis says a substantial postponement of changes in fiscal legislation is necessary, and added that their implementation as of January 1, 2018 would be ill-timed.




    DIPLOMACY – While on a 2-day visit to Montenegro, the Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Meleşcanu had a meeting on Monday with his counterpart Srdan Darmanovic. Melescanu reiterated Romanias firm support for Montenegros European accession efforts. The two officials also reviewed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including employment and social security, science and technology, tourism, energy and the environment. The visit is part of Romanias efforts to increase its presence in the Western Balkans, one of Romanias foreign policy priorities, ahead of the Romanian presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2019.




    EXHIBITION – The Ambassador of Japan to Bucharest, Kisaburo Ishii, took part in the opening of an exhibition on “Meiji-era Stamps, organised by the Stamp Cabinet of the Romanian Academy Library as part of the “Japanese Culture Month in Romania, and hosted by the Theodor Pallady Hall of the Romanian Academy Library. The exhibition will close on November 12.




    MOLDOVA – Should early elections be held in the Republic of Moldova, only 3 parties would make the parliamentary threshold: the Socialists Party, the Action and Solidarity Party and the Democratic Party, according to an opinion poll released on Monday by the Public Opinion Fund organisation. The Socialists would get 50% of the votes. The poll also reveals low public confidence rates for the Parliament and Government. Eighty per cent of the respondents are unhappy with the current state of affairs in the Republic of Moldova. According to the poll, only one-fifth of the people would support their country joining NATO or uniting with Romania.




    FOOTBALL – Romanias national football team has convened for friendly matches against Turkey and the Netherlands, scheduled to take place in Cluj-Napoca on November 9 and in Bucharest on November 14, respectively. Manager Cosmin Contra invited 30 players, including 17 Romanian footballers playing for foreign clubs. This is the start of Romanias preparations for the Euro 2020 qualifiers. The Turkish national team is coached by the Romanian Mircea Lucescu.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • November 4, 2017 UPDATE

    November 4, 2017 UPDATE

    UNIONS – The “Solidaritatea Sanitara union federation announces its opposition to the Governments plan to transfer the payment of social security contributions from employers to employees, and says it will join the all-out strike planned by the countrys main union confederations. Previously, trade union federations Frăţia, Cartel Alfa and the National Union Bloc had voiced fears that this transfer would entail a drop in salaries and the loss of jobs. In turn, employer associations say that should this measure be implemented, they will have to lay off employees, while the National Liberal Party in opposition announced it would notify the Constitutional Court unless the Government gave up these plans. President Klaus Iohannis described the Governments initiative as fiscal confusion through which average gross salaries would only go up by a rough 70 eurocents. In response, PM Mihai Tudose and his Social Democratic Party chief, Liviu Dragnea, say they do not understand the opposition to the measures announced for next year, given that in fact both employers and employees would stand to gain. The Cabinet postponed to Monday the meeting in which the new provisions were to be discussed, on grounds that some of the bills on the agenda had not received all the required approvals.




    BY-ELECTIONS – The town of Deva, in western Romania, as well as 16 villages in 12 counties hold by-elections on Sunday. 16 localities elect their mayors, and a village will elect its local council. In Deva, the mayor position has been vacant since the former mayor, Mircia Muntean, re-elected to office last summer, was sentenced to six months in prison for abuse of office and DUI.




    HEALTHCARE – The Romanian healthcare and tourism ministries will work together to come up with medical tourism packages. The announcement was made by the Healthcare Minister Florian Bodog at a medical tourism conference in Bucharest. The healthcare services in the highest demand from foreign patients in Romania are dental treatments, spa treatments, and plastic surgery, Bodog explained. He added that the Government is working to adopt the public-private partnership bill, which will allow foreign partners to invest in Romania, including in the healthcare sector. The Romanian official added that he had already received offers from foreign investors interested in setting up hospitals and cardiovascular surgery and recovery centres.




    CAMPAIGN – MEP Cătălin Ivan has announced he intends to start a signature campaign to ban bearer shares in Romania. Such shares, which are not registered, may be transferred from one holder to another without tax and accounting records. Ivan argues that this enables civil servants to own stock in companies that are awarded public procurement or service contracts, without any means of combating corruption. According to official data there are around 400 companies in Romania having issued bearer shares, and most of them have been awarded government contracts worth hundreds of millions of euros. Bearer shares have already been banned in countries like the UK, Belgium, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Malta and Cyprus.




    PUIGDEMONT – Belgian authorities announced having received the international arrest warrant issued by Spain against the ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and 4 members of his secessionist cabinet. The source added that prosecutors would study the documents before submitting them to a judge. The five Catalan ministers arrived in Brussels this week, after Spain issued an arrest warrant for sedition. Puigdemont insists that he is not in Belgium to escape justice, and that he is facing a potential 30-year prison sentence for keeping his promise to his voters. A Spanish court approved the arrest after the five failed to appear in court on Thursday to respond to accusations regarding the Catalan independence declaration. Before the arrest warrants were issued, the European Commission said the trial of the Catalan separatists was for the judiciary to settle.




    HANDBALL – The Romanian womens handball team CSM Bucharest beat the Danish side Nykobing at home, 39-26, in the 4th round of Champions League Group A, making up for the surprising defeat they had sustained two weeks ago, in Denmark, 22-25. In the first 2 games in Group A, the Romanians defeated Krim Ljubljana of Slovenia and Vistal Gdynia of Poland, and are now qualified into the main group stage. Romanias target in the current competition season is to reach the Champions League Final Four.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • The Week in Review, October 30 – November 5

    The Week in Review, October 30 – November 5

    Controversy over the salary system in Romania


    Two government projects due to be implemented next year have generated vehement reactions in Romania. The projects in question are the new salary scheme for public sector employees and the changes to the fiscal code. President Klaus Iohannis says the fiscal measures announced by the government such as transferring the payment of social security contributions to employees and a cut on income tax, will complicate problems instead of solving them. He has asked the ruling coalition to show responsibility and drop these fiscal policies, which, he says, will generate mistrust. The president says that while the country is seeing a period of economic growth, this growth is based on consumption, and has warned that public and private investments have dropped significantly compared to the same period last year. Trade unions have also criticised the governments plans. The most vocal of critics, the leader of the Cartel Alfa trade union confederation, Bogdan Hossu, has warned that the plans to amend the fiscal code is flawed and may lead to lower incomes for 2 million employees. CNSRL Fratia has said it will start gathering signatures among its members for a general strike, while the National Union Bloc warns there is no certainty that net salaries will remain the same as long as there is no obligation for employers to increase gross salaries to make up for the amount of social security contributions to be paid by employees under the new government plan. Employer associations have shied away from entering the open conflict between the government and trade unions. However, business people have advised the government to think things deeply and not to take rush decisions, whose impact has not been sufficiently assessed.



    The two-year commemoration of the Colectiv fire


    On the 30th of October, Romania commemorated 2 years since a tragic fire broke out at the Colectiv nightclub in Bucharest in which 64 people were killed and more than 100 injured. The Colectiv association formed in the wake of the fire staged a commemorative Guitar March and concerts. Several hundred people took part in the march, walking in silence and wearing white T-shirts printed with the photographs of the victims and carrying candles and flowers. Radio Romania broadcast a programme entitled “64 inspired by the tragedy at Colectiv and a commemoration event was held in Cluj Napoca, in the west, to protest against the delays in the trial. A court case began again the clubs owners, the former sector mayor and employees of the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations for failing to take measures despite the fact that the club did not have a fire safety authorisation. Quite a lot of voices claim little has changed in the two years since the tragic event. In their defense, the authorities say the number of fire safety permit requests has gone up by nearly 85%. We recall that the Colectiv nightclub tragedy was followed by wide street protests against the Government and local authorities, which led to the demise of Victor Pontas Cabinet.



    The crisis in Catalonia


    Romania has reasserted its firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Spain, refusing to acknowledge the unilateral declaration of independence of Catalonia. According to a Foreign Ministry release, Spain is an important ally and strategic partner of Romania and has good bilateral, regional and international relations with this country. The legitimacy of any process or action pertaining to the interior state of affairs of a country consists in its full conformity with the countrys Constitution and rule of law, the document also reads. In this context, Romania has argued in favour of observing international law, which forbids any territorial modifications without the consent of the state in question. The Ministry for Romanians Worldwide has also announced it was monitoring the developments in Catalonia very closely. According to a communiqué the Ministry released at the time the referendum on the regions independence was held, a task force monitoring the events has been in permanent contact with Romanian associations, parishes and diplomatic missions, in order to assess the real-time situation of the over 130,000 Romanians who live in Catalonia right now.



    FCSB advances to the Europa League round of 32


    Romanias vice champions FCSB have qualified to the round of last 32 in Europa League after drawing 1-all at home against Hapoel Beer Sheva of Israel in the fourth round of Group G. FCSB has 10 points and tops the league tables, followed by Viktoria Plezen of the Czech Republic with 6 points. The Czech team defeated Lugano of Switzerland 4-1 in Thursdays other group fixture. Hapoel and Lugano are 3rd and 4th respectively, both with 3 points. Romania will next play Viktoria Plezen away from home and needs a win to preserve the top spot in the group standings.

  • November 4, 2017

    November 4, 2017

    UNIONS – The “Solidaritatea Sanitara union federation announces its opposition to the Governments plan to transfer the payment of social security contributions from employers to employees, and says it will join the all-out strike planned by the countrys main union confederations. Previously, trade union federations Frăţia, Cartel Alfa and National Union Bloc had voiced fears that this transfer would entail a drop in salaries and the loss of jobs. In turn, employer associations say that should this measure be implemented, they will have to lay off employees, while the National Liberal Party in opposition announced it would notify the Constitutional Court unless the Government gave up these plans. President Klaus Iohannis described the Governments initiative as fiscal confusion through which average gross salaries would only go up by a rough 70 eurocents. In response, PM Mihai Tudose and his Social Democratic Party chief, Liviu Dragnea, say they do not understand the opposition to the measures announced for next year, given that in fact both employers and employees would stand to gain. The Cabinet postponed to Monday the meeting in which the new provisions were to be discussed, on grounds that some of the bills on the agenda had not received all the required approvals.




    BY-ELECTIONS – The town of Deva, in western Romania, as well as 16 villages in 12 counties are preparing for Sundays by-elections. 16 localities will elect their mayors tomorrow, and a village will elect its local council. In Deva, the mayor position has been vacant since the former mayor, Mircia Muntean, re-elected to office last summer, was sentenced to six months in prison for abuse of office and DUI.




    HEALTHCARE – The Romanian healthcare and tourism ministries will work together to come up with medical tourism packages. The announcement was made by the Healthcare Minister Florian Bodog at a medical tourism conference in Bucharest. The healthcare services in the highest demand from foreign patients in Romania are dental treatments, spa treatments, and plastic surgery, Bodog explained. He added that the Government is working to adopt the public-private partnership bill, which will allow foreign partners to invest in Romania, including in the healthcare sector. The Romanian official added that he had already received offers from foreign investors interested in setting up hospitals and cardiovascular surgery and recovery centres.




    CAMPAIGN – MEP Cătălin Ivan has announced he intends to start a signature campaign to ban bearer shares in Romania. Such shares, which are not registered, may be transferred from one holder to another without tax and accounting records. Ivan argues that this enables civil servants to own stock in companies that are awarded public procurement or service contracts, without any means of combating corruption. According to official data there are around 400 companies in Romania having issued bearer shares, and most of their have been awarded government contracts worth hundreds of millions of euros. Bearer shares have already been banned in countries like the UK, Belgium, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Malta and Cyprus.




    PUIGDEMONT – Belgian authorities announced having received the international arrest warrant issued by Spain against the ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and 4 members of his secessionist cabinet. The source added that prosecutors would study the documents before submitting them to a judge. The five Catalan ministers arrived in Brussels this week, after Spain issued an arrest warrant for sedition. Puigdemont insists that he is not in Belgium to escape justice, and that he is facing a potential 30-year prison sentence for keeping his promise to his voters. A Spanish court approved the arrest after the five failed to appear in court on Thursday to respond to accusations regarding the Catalan independence declaration. Before the arrest warrants were issued, the European Commission said the trial of the Catalan separatists was for the judiciary to settle.





    HANDBALL – The Romanian womens handball team CSM Bucharest is playing this afternoon at home against the Danish side Nykobing, in the 4th round of Champions League Group A. Two weeks ago, CSM lost surprisingly in Denmark, 22-25. In the first 2 games in Group A, the Romanians defeated Krim Ljubljana of Slovenia and Vistal Gdynia of Poland. The top 2 teams in each of the 4 groups will qualify into the main group stage. Romanias target in the current competition season is to reach the Champions League Final Four. Also today, in mens handball, Romanias champions Dinamo Bucharest play away from home against Ademar Leon of Spain. Dinamo ranks last in Group C, and is left with next to no chances to move on in the competition.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • 04.04.2016 (mise à jour)

    04.04.2016 (mise à jour)

    Protestations — Une partie des médecins traitants de Roumanie continue aujourd’hui le mouvement de protestation débuté la semaine dernière, en refusant de délivrer des recommandations de consultations spécialisées et des ordonnances remboursées par la Caisse d’assurance maladie. Cette situation est le résultat du retard enregistré par la procédure de conclusion de l’accord-cadre de fonctionnement pour l’année en cours et par le manque de financement adéquat pour l’assistance médicale primaire. Les médecins traitants menacent d’entrer en grève si leurs revendications ne trouvent pas de satisfactions.



    Evasion fiscale — Des noms de chefs d’Etat et d’acteurs politiques de premier rang du monde entier, de milliardaires, sportifs célèbres, hommes d’affaires, y compris de Roumanie, mais aussi de réseaux criminels apparaissent dans les documents confidentiels d’un cabinet d’avocat du Panama, montant la manière dont les riches et fameux de ce monde cachent leurs fortunes dans des paradis fiscaux. Selon la BBC, les documents épluchés par des journalistes d’une 70aine de pays semblent être la fuite d’informations la plus ample au sujet de la corruption globale. Parmi les noms en question, on trouve celui du président de l’Argentine, du premier ministre islandais, du président de l’Ukraine, du roi d’Arabie Saoudite, de proches des présidents russe et chinois, ou encore des footballeurs Platini et Messi.



    Motion — La première motion simple contre un membre du Cabinet technocrate du premier ministre roumain Dacian Ciolos fait l’objet des débats à la Chambre des Députés de Bucarest. Les initiateurs, l’Alliance des libéraux et des démocrates de Roumanie et l’Union démocratique des magyars de Roumanie, critiquent la ministre de la Justice, Raluca Pruna, et affirment que le décret relatif aux écoutes téléphoniques dans des affaires pénales qu’elle a soutenu, risquait de transformer la Roumanie en un Etat pas sûr, où les droits de l’homme peuvent être discutés mais pas nécessairement respectés. Les libéraux ont défini de « comique » démarche des initiateurs, alors que le PSD a précisé qu’il n’allait ni initier, ni soutenir des motions simples, mais qu’il allait demander le changement de certains ministres.



    Anniversaire — L’Académie roumaine célèbre aujourd’hui 150 ans d’existence. Une session solennelle est consacrée à cet anniversaire. Y participent représentants des autorités publiques, présidents d’académies européennes, personnalités culturelles et scientifiques roumaines, académiciens de Roumanie et de l’étranger. Fondée en 1866 sous le nom de Société littéraire roumaine, changé par la suite en Société académique roumaine, l’Académie roumaine acquiert son nom définitif en 1879. Aujourd’hui, ce plus haut forum culturel et scientifique de Roumanie rassemble 84 membres titulaires, 76 membres correspondants et 45 membres d’honneur, dont six étrangers.



    Motion — La première motion simple contre un membre du Cabinet technocrate du premier ministre roumain Dacian Ciolos fait l’objet des débats ouverts ce lundi à la Chambre des Députés de Bucarest. Les initiateurs, l’Alliance des libéraux et des démocrates de Roumanie et l’Union démocratique des magyars de Roumanie, critiquent la ministre de la Justice, Raluca Pruna, et affirment que le décret relatif aux écoutes téléphoniques dans des affaires pénales, qu’elle a soutenu, risquait de transformer la Roumanie en un Etat pas sûr, où les droits de l’homme peuvent être discutés mais pas nécessairement respectés. Les libéraux ont défini de « comique » démarche des initiateurs, alors que le PSD a précisé qu’il n’allait ni initier, ni soutenir des motions simples, mais qu’il allait demander le changement de certains ministres.



    Négociations — Les ministres des affaires étrangères russe, Sergueï Lavrov, et moldave, Andrei Galbur, ont confirmé, lundi, à Moscou, l’appui de leurs gouvernements respectif à la reprise des négociations dans la formule 5+2, pour la solution du conflit entre le pouvoir central de la République de Moldova et la région séparatiste de Transnistrie. Ces négociations, entre Chisinau et Tiraspol avec la participation de la Russie, de l’Ukraine et de l’Organisation pour la coopération et le développement en Europe en tant que médiateurs, les Etats Unis et l’Union européenne en tant qu’observateurs, sont suspendues depuis 2014. Le chef de la diplomatie moldave, Andrei Galbur, a exprimé son espoir que la présence, mardi et mercredi, à Chisinau et Tiraspol, des médiateurs et des observateurs internationaux, contribuerait à la reprise rapide des négociations. La Transnistrie a fait sécession en 1992, suite à un conflit armé avec la République de Moldova, qui a été tranché par l’intervention des troupes russes aux côtés des séparatistes.


    Sport — La meilleure joueuse de tennis roumaine, Simona Halep, est sortie du top 5 mondial, et occupe actuellement la 6e place. C’est la Bélarusse Viktoria Azarenka, gagnante du tournoi de Miami de la semaine dernière, qui passe devant. Simona Halep s’était arrêtée en quarts de finale au tournoi américain. En handball féminin, l’équipe roumaine Corona Brasov a perdu à domicile devant l’équipe allemande TUS Metzingen, en match-aller des demi-finales de la Coupe EHF. Le match-retour aura lieu en Allemagne le 9 avril. Et la nationale de water-polo de Roumanie affronte aujourd’hui la France, au tournoi préolympique de Trieste, en Italie. Dimanche, les sportifs tricolores ont eu raison des Slovaques sur le score de 13 à 11. Le groupe A de la compétition inclut aussi le Canada, la Russie et la Hongrie. Les 4 premières équipes des deux groupes se qualifient pour les quarts de finales et les demi-finalistes participeront aux JO de Rio.

  • De la salariul minim la scăderea TVA

    De la salariul minim la scăderea TVA

    În ultima
    şedinţă din acest an, Guvernul de la Bucureşti a aprobat majorarea salariului
    minin brut pe economie de la 1.050 lei la 1.250 lei (276 de euro), începând cu
    1 mai 2016. Sindicatele şi patronatele
    au căzut de acord asupra acestei decizii, avizată anterior şi de
    Consiliul Economic şi Social. Proiectul va avea un important impact social,
    întrucât, spun specialiştii, va asigura creşterea nivelului de trai şi va
    reduce decalajele sociale. Datele oficiale arată că numărul de beneficiari ai
    creşterii salariului minim este de 1,1 milioane de persoane, din care puţin sub
    40.000 în sectorul bugetar, restul în sectorul concurenţial.

    Purtătorul de
    cuvânt al executivului, Dan Suciu, a subliniat că această majorare trebuie
    urmată şi de alte măsuri, pentru a nu se ajunge la concedieri ori la blocaje în
    activitatea societăţilor comerciale.

    Dan Suciu: Acest
    risc există. A fost preocuparea noastră de la bun început de a reduce riscul,
    dar considerăm că în aceste luni care vor trece şi în care firmele vor beneficia
    şi de noul context pe care-l acordă Codul fiscal şi facilităţile fiscale
    introduse de la 1 ianuarie vor putea să găsească resurse pentru a integra
    această majorare salarială fără daune colaterale semnificative.

    Pe lângă creşterea salariului minim, o altă
    importantă măsură de relaxare fiscală pentru anul viitor vizează reducerea
    cotei generale de TVA, de la 24% la 20%. Totodată, taxa va scădea, de la 1
    ianuarie, de la 9% la 5% pentru cinematografe, muzee, livrările de cărţi,
    manuale, ziare şi reviste, nivel care se va aplica şi pentru evenimentele
    sportive şi culturale. O cotă de TVA de 9% se aplică
    din 2016 şi pentru medicamente, hoteluri, alimente, restaurante şi catering şi
    furnizarea de apă. Astfel, diminuarea taxei pe valoare adăugată va duce la
    scăderea preţurilor, cel puţin teoretic, şi în prima parte a lui 2016,
    după ce în 2015 reducerea cotei pentru alimente a dus inflaţia în teritoriu
    negativ.

    TVA mai mică ar putea antrena şi o reducere a preţurilor la benzină şi
    motorină, însă acestea depind de evoluţia cotaţiei petrolului pe pieţele
    externe, în contextul în care statul a menţinut nivelul accizei, dar şi
    supraacciza, ultima urmând să fie eliminată la începutul lui 2017. Taxele şi
    accizele percepute de statul român reprezintă peste jumătate din preţul
    carburanţilor.2016 mai aduce ieftinirea energiei electrice cu 5%-6%,
    reducerea impozitului pe dividende la 5%, dar şi scumpiri la asigurările
    auto obligatorii şi la impozitele pe locuinţe şi terenuri.

    Tot din 2016, băncile din România vor avea obligaţia să raporteze către ANAF,
    în fiecare zi, lista persoanelor fizice sau juridice care îşi deschid sau
    închid un cont bancar, de orice fel, dar şi dacă cineva închiriază sau renunţă
    la o cutie de valori.