Radio România Internațional

Tag: imports

  • Developments in the Romanian Automotive Industry

    Developments in the Romanian Automotive Industry

    The Romanian automotive industry has seen steady growth in recent years, after the acquisition of Automobile Dacia, based in Mioveni, by the French group Renault, and Fords investment in a production facility in Craiova, in the south of the country. While in 2014 the turnover of the sector was around 18 billion euros, in 2015 it exceeded 20 billion euros, to reach 22 billion euro last year. At present, 13% of the GDP comes from this sector, which also generates nearly one-quarter of the countrys exports.



    Around these two major industrial platforms, as well as in several large Romanian cities, companies have also developed, which provide equipment and parts to carmakers around the world. The engines, gear boxes and other components made in Mioveni are shipped to several facilities of the Renault-Nissan Group and fitted on the vehicles assembled there. So are the EcoBoost engines designed by Ford and made in Craiova, which are sent as far as to Brazil and China. Gabriel Sicoe, the head of the Romanian Carmaker Association, confirms the positive trend of this sector:



    Gabriel Sicoe: “Exports reach 13 billion euros, accounting for one-quarter of the national exports. The local market for new vehicles has resumed its growth. We have had three years of growth, at an average rate of 19%. Still, the market remains nearly three times smaller than the level before the global economic crisis.



    The greatest challenge for the local market remains the import of second-hand vehicles, which benefits neither the environment, nor the national budget. In contrast, for each new car made in Romania and registered here, the state budget receives 3,500 euros. Here is Gabriel Sicoe again with details:



    Gabriel Sicoe: “Last year, 3 imported second-hand cars were registered in Romania for each new car sold here. Since the scrapping of the environment charge in February, this ratio doubled. The impact is disastrous for the sales of new cars in Romania. In the second half of this year we intend to push for the taxation of second-hand vehicle imports, which are brought in the country by individual buyers and the state budget gets no benefits, and for tightening technical regulations on these vehicles.



    In spite of these problems, major producers continue to invest in Romania. Michelin has announced investments of over 33 million euros in the tyre plant in Zalau, in the north-west, while the Japanese company Calsonic will begin works next year on a new unit near Ploiesti, in the south. The facility will produce vehicle components both for the domestic market and for international clients.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • Developments in Romanian Trade

    Developments in Romanian Trade

    In the first three quarters of 2016, Romania registered a deficit in the trade of food and agricultural products, which means that it imported more than it exported, according to data centralized by the Agriculture Ministry in Bucharest. Exports went up by 3% as compared to the first nine months last year, and imports went up by over 9%. The EU remains Romania’s main partner in the trade of food and agricultural products, with imports consisting mainly of fresh and refrigerated pork, bakery products, wheat, sugar and coffee. As regards exports, Romania keeps getting the highest revenues from the delivery of grains inside and outside the EU, especially wheat and meslin flour (a mix of wheat and rye), accounting for 5.2 million tones, worth some 862 million Euro. Cigarillo and cigars come second, followed by rape seeds, corn, sun-flower and barley.



    According to an analysis conducted by KeysFin, Romanian e-commerce has registered record results, and in 2016 is likely to exceed 1.4 billion Euro, which is a historic high for Romania. According to the data analyzed, the turnover in the Romanian e-commerce has grown significantly in the past years, from 0.37 billion Euros in 2011 to 1.21 billion Euros in 2015. This growth was registered against the background of a spectacular development of online trade services, currently provided by over 5,300 companies, which is by 2600 more than five years ago. KeysFin statistics show that, as Romanians have become growingly interested in products and services sold online, the profitability of the sector grew from 10.4 million Euro in 2011 to 51.7 million in 2015, and the estimated target for 2016 is some 66.7 million Euro.



    The spectacular results of the Black Friday campaign in 2016 are evidence of the fact that Romanian on-line trade is now a national phenomenon. KeysFin analysts have explained that it is not necessarily the discounts, but rather the spectacularly high volume of products sold, which show that Romanians get more and more interested in buying from the so-called ‘virtual malls’. Data show that there are 500 transactions registered per minute, which is twice the maximum level last year, and the biggest transaction was worth some 32.000 Euros, the value of an order sent from Hungary.


    (Translated by Mihaela Ignatescu)


  • November 22, 2015 UPDATE

    November 22, 2015 UPDATE

    RESUMPTION OF PAYMENTS-The European Commission has unblocked the Regional Operational Program and the reimbursement of European funds will start in the near future, Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos said on Radio Romania, on Sunday. He explained that, by the end of the year, the absorption rate of structural funds might reach 70%, for the 2007-2013 budget exercise. As regards the reform of the administration, Ciolos said he would lay emphasis on the principles of transparency and integrity. The integrity criteria, that have already been signed by the members of the new cabinet, will have to be assumed by all public administration employees. The Prime Minister said Romania needs a functional system so that corruption and bribe no longer permeate the administration.



    STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP — Romanian State Secretary for Strategic Affairs, Daniel Ionita, and the US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, Hoyt Yee, will co-chair in Bucharest on Monday, the fourth meeting of the Task Force for the implementation of the Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between Romania and the US. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, the Romanian and US officials will assess the stage of bilateral cooperation and will also discuss objectives, action lines and co-operation priorities for the ensuing period of time. The Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between Romania and the US was adopted, at the highest level, in September 2011. It is the first bilateral political document which validates, in writing, the Strategic Partnership between the two countries and includes key domains of bilateral cooperation.



    COLECTIV FIRE VICTIM – One of the people who sustained burn injuries in the Colectiv nightclub fire died on Sunday in Vienna, where he was undergoing treatment. Thus, the death toll has risen to 60. 26 people were killed by the deadly fire that devastated Colectiv on October 30, and a 27th person died on the way to hospital. 33 other people died within the 3 ensuing weeks. 150 other people were injured and admitted to hospitals in Bucharest. 39 of them were taken to foreign hospitals, but 11 passed away, of whom 3 in the UK, one in Israel, two in the Netherlands, one en route to Switzerland, one in France, two in Germany and one in Austria. 40 injured people, of whom 10 in critical or severe condition, are still hospitalised in Bucharest.



    TERROR ALERT– The Belgian authorities are on alert, for fear of possible attacks. Prime Minister Charles Michel has said there is credible information on the risk of attacks similar to those in Paris. On Sunday, Brussels was on lockdown, over serious threat, with the subway system, shopping centres, cinema halls, museums, restaurants and cafes closed. Stations and airports were guarded by heavily- armed joint police- army patrols. Military vehicles patrolled the streets of Brussels, while the security forces continue the manhunt for key suspect and Paris fugitive, Salah Abdeslam, who is believed to hide in the Brussels region, trying to find the opportunity to leave for Syria.



    DIPLOMACY— US Secretary of State, John Kerry, is currently on a three-day visit to the Middle East. The agenda of the talks held in Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ramallah (the West Bank) covers such issues as the situation in Syria, laying emphasis on the fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation and the recent Israeli-Palestinian wave of violence. In the wake of the Paris attacks, the US tries to consolidate militarily the international coalition against the Islamic State, FP reports.



    ECONOMY— The total value of Romania’s imports in 2014 exceeded 58 billion Euro, registering a 5.8% increase as compared to the previous year. Data made public by the National Institute for Statistics show 75.4% of the imported goods came from EU member states, particularly from Germany, Italy and Hungary. As compared to 2013, China outclassed the Russian Federation, in terms of the volume of imports made by Romania. According to the National Institute for Statistics, in 2014 Romania fostered trading relations with 212 countries.



    BOOK FAIR-The “Gaudeamus” International Book Fair, organised by Radio Romania in Bucharest, came to a close on Sunday. Since it opened its doors, on November 18, the fair hosted 700 events and the stands of over 300 publishing houses. The honorary guest of this year’s edition was the Group of Francophone Embassies, Delegations and Institutions in Romania.



    TENNIS– The pair made up of Romanian Horia Tecau and Dutch Jean-Julien Rojer on Sunday won the men’s doubles final of the WTA Tournament in London. In the last match of the competition, Tecau and Rojer defeated the pair Florin Mergea Romania)- Rohan Bopanna (India), 6/4, 6/3. It was for the first time in history that Romania had two representatives in this tournament with 7 million dollars in prize money up for grabs, which brought together the best 8 players of the 2015 season as well as the best men’s doubles pairs.

  • November 22, 2015

    November 22, 2015

    UPDATE 2:(18:50) The pair made up of Romanian Horia Tecau and Dutch
    Jean-Julien Rojer on Sunday won the men’s doubles final of the WTA Tournament
    in London. In the last match of the competition, Tecau and Rojer defeated the
    pair Florin Mergea Romania)- Rohan Bopanna (India), 6/4, 6/3. It was for the
    first time in history that Romania had two representatives in this tournament
    with 7 million dollars in prize money up for grabs, which brought together the
    best 8 players of the 2015 season as well as the best men’s doubles pairs.


    UPDATE 1 : (14:17): COLECTIV FIRE VICTIM – One of the people who sustained burn injuries in the
    Colectiv nightclub fire died on Sunday in Vienna, where he was undergoing
    treatment. Thus, the death toll has
    risen to 60. 26 people were killed by the deadly fire that devastated Colectiv
    on October 30, and a 27th person died on the way to hospital. 33 other people died within the 3 ensuing
    weeks. 150 other people were injured and admitted to hospitals in Bucharest. 39
    of them were taken to foreign hospitals, but 11 passed away, of whom 3 in the
    UK, one in Israel, two in the Netherlands, one en route to Switzerland, one in
    France, two in Germany and one in Austria. 40 injured people, of whom 10 in
    critical or severe condition, are still hospitalised in Bucharest.

    RESUMPTION OF PAYMENTS-The European Commission has unblocked the Regional Operational Program and the reimbursement of European funds will start in the near future, Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos has said on Radio Romania, earlier today. He has explained that, by the end of the year, the absorption rate of structural funds might reach 70%, for the 2007-2013 budget exercise. As regards the reform of the administration, Ciolos has said he will lay emphasis on the principles of transparency and integrity. The integrity criteria, that have already been signed by the members of the new cabinet, will have to be assumed by all public administration employees. The Prime Minister has said Romania needs a functional system so that corruption and bribe no longer permeate the administration.



    STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP – Romanian State Secretary for Strategic Affairs, Daniel Ionita, and the US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, Hoyt Yee, will co-chair in Bucharest on Monday, the fourth meeting of the Task Force for the implementation of the Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between Romania and the US. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, the Romanian and US officials will assess the stage of bilateral cooperation and will also discuss objectives, action lines and co-operation priorities for the ensuing period of time. The Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between Romania and the US was adopted, at the highest level, in September 2011. It is the first bilateral political document which validates, in writing, the Strategic Partnership between the two countries and includes key domains of bilateral cooperation.



    TERROR ALERT– The Belgian line authorities maintain the highest alert level in Brussels, for fear of possible attacks. Prime Minister Charles Michel has said there is credible information on the risk of attacks similar to those in Paris. Brussels remains on lockdown, over serious threat, with the subway system, shopping centres, cinema halls, museums, restaurants and cafes closed. Stations and airports are guarded by heavily- armed joint police- army patrols. Military vehicles are patrolling the streets of Brussels, while the security forces continue the manhunt for key suspect and Paris fugitive, Salah Abdeslam, who is believed to hide in the Brussels region, trying to find the opportunity to leave for Syria.



    DIPLOMACY– US Secretary of
    State, John Kerry, is currently on a three-day visit to the Middle East. The
    agenda of the talks held in Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ramallah (the
    West Bank) covers such issues as the situation in Syria, laying emphasis on the
    fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation and the recent
    Israeli-Palestinian wave of violence. In the wake of the Paris attacks, the US
    tries to consolidate militarily the international coalition against the Islamic
    State, FP reports.



    SANCTIONS– Western leaders meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit held in Turkey last week, have agreed on a 6 month extension, by July 2016, of the sanctions imposed on Russia for the actions it had taken in Ukraine. According to Reuters, the confidential decision was made public by a high level European diplomat. The measure is taken against the backdrop of appeals for tighter cooperation with Russian president Vladimir Putin against the Islamic State Jihadist group, following the November 13 attacks in Paris, which made over 130 victims.



    ECONOMY– The total value of Romanias imports in 2014 exceeded 58 billion Euro, registering a 5.8% increase as compared to the previous year. Data made public by the National Institute for Statistics show 75.4% of the imported goods came from EU member states, particularly from Germany, Italy and Hungary. As compared to 2013, China outclassed the Russian Federation, in terms of the volume of imports made by Romania. According to the National Institute for Statistics, in 2014 Romania fostered trading relations with 212 countries.



    BOOK FAIR-The “Gaudeamus International Book Fair, organised by Radio Romania in Bucharest, will come to a close today, when the winners of the Gaudeamus Prize Draw are made public. Over 100 events are scheduled to take place today, among which the Prizes of the Salon of Inventions and Scientific Creation for Youth as well as the Goncourt Prize, offered following the publics vote, by the French Institute in Romania.



    TENNIS– Two Romanian tennis players will meet in the mens doubles final of the ATP Tournament in London. The pair made up of Romanian Florin Mergea and Indian Rohan Bopanna will face Romanian Horia Tecau and Dutch Jean-Julien Rojer. It is for the first time that Romania has two representatives in this tournament, with 7 million dollars in prize money up for grabs, and which brought together the best 8 players of the 2015 season as well as the best mens pairs playing in the doubles.