Radio România Internațional

Tag: Reza Baqir

  • Nachrichten 17.03.2017

    Nachrichten 17.03.2017

    Bukarest: Der Leiter der IWF-Mission in Rumänien, Reza Baqir, hat am Freitag zum Abschluss seines Besuchs die Schlussfolgerungen zur wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung des Landes präsidentiert. Die Erfolge der letzten Jahre würden langsam gefährdet, warnte er und nannte die aufeinanderfolgenden Steuersenkungen und Lohnerhöhungen als Ursachen. Die Lohnerhöhungen würden die Produktivitätssteigerung übertreffen, hieß es weiter. Der IWF gehe laut Angaben von Baqir von einem Haushaltsdefizit von 3,7% für das laufende Jahr und einem Defizit von 3,9% für das kommende Jahr aus. Auf der Agenda des IWF-Vertreters standen Treffen mit Staatschef Klaus Iohannis und Ministerpräsident Sorin Grindeanu. Derzeit hat Rumänien kein Darlehens-Abkommen mit dem IWF am Laufen, es finden lediglich regelmäßige Beratungsrunden mit den Vertretern der Finanzinstitution statt.



    Bukarest: Rumänien kann für die Modernisierung von 280 Krankenhäusern und medizinischen Einrichtungen auf europäische Fördermittel in Höhe von 250 Millionen Euro zugreifen. Das erklärte in Bukarest die EU-Kommissarin für Regionalpolitik, die Rumänin Corina Creţu. Sie erklärte ferner, es seien bereits 42 Kreiskrankenhäuser identifiziert worden, bei denen in Kürze ein Verfahren zur Rehabilitierung und Erweiterung anlaufen wird. Kommissarin Creţu äußerte abschließend ihre Hoffnung, dass die Bauarbeiten an den drei Regionalkrankenhäusern in Klausenburg, Craiova und Iaşi kommendes Jahr beginnen werden.



    Bukarest: Die Ministerin für Belange der Auslandsrumänen, Andreea Păstârnac, hat am Freitag ihre Ermittlungsreise in der italienischen Provinz Ragusa auf Sizilien fortgesetzt. Dort sind offenbar Tausende rumänische Landwirtschaftsarbeiterinnen zahlreichen Missbräuchen ausgesetzt worden. Păstârnac leitet eine rumänische Delegation, die sich seit Mittwoch in Italien aufhält, vor dem Hintergrund der in der britischen Presse aufdeckten Fälle von Missbrauch und Ausbeutung rumänischer Arbeiternehmer in den Regionen Sizilien und Kalabrien. Bislang führte die rumänische Delegation Gespräche mit Kommunalpolitikern, Vertretern der Menschenrechtsorganisationen und Amtsleitern aus Catania. Rumänien und Italien vereinbarten dabei die Gründung eines Zentrums für die Betreuung und Unterstützung von anfälligen Personen und Opfern von Menschenhandel. Auch sollen mehrere mobile Einheiten mit der Unterstützung vor Ort, Beratung und medizinischen Versorgung beauftragt werden.



    Bukarest: Die Oberstaatsanwältin der Antikorruptionsbehörde DNA, Laura Codruţa Kovesi, nimmt auf Einladung der bulgarischen Kollegen an einem Erfahrungsaustausch am Obersten Gerichtshof in Sofia teil. Vor den bulgarischen Behörden und einer hohen Anzahl an Journalisten und Vertretern der NGOs stellte Kövesi die Rolle der DNA in der Korruptionsbekämpfung vor und stand Rede und Antwort. Sie erinnerte unter anderem daran, dass 2006 an den rumänischen Gerichten 360 Strafverfahren wegen Korruption auf hoher Ebene anhängig waren. Die Anzahl der Angeklagten war vier Jahre später bereits auf 900 angestiegen und 2016 auf 1273. 880 Amtsträger, darunter Minister, Abgeordnete, Bürgermeister und Justizbehörden sind im vergangenen Jahr rechtskräftig verurteilt worden.

  • IWF und Weltbank: neue Empfehlungen für Rumänien

    IWF und Weltbank: neue Empfehlungen für Rumänien

    Der Internationale Währungsfond und die Weltbank haben Bukarest erneut über die Gefahr der Fortsetzung der Lockerung der Finanzpolitik gewarnt. Rumänien habe dies nicht mehr nötig, so die Finanzinstitutionen, die hinzufügen, es gebe das Risiko, dass gegen Rumänien im kommenden Jahr das Defizitverfahren gestartet wird. Der IWF-Chef für Rumänien Reza Baqir hat den Behörden in Buklarest empfolhen, die Maßnahmen für die Lockerung der Finanzpolitik aufzuheben oder sie für das Jahr 2017 aufzuschieben. Reza Baqir erklärte, der Konsum sei schon zu hoch und könnte zur Überwärmung der Wirtschaft führen. Über diese Gefahr sprach auch der ehemalige Vertreter der obenerwähnten Finanzinstitution Jeffrey Franks. Er fügte hinzu, Rumänien müsse vorsichtig sein, um die Fehler der vergangenen Jahren nicht zu wiederholen.



    Es ist gut, dass Rumänien Wirtschaftswachstum erlebt. Es ist nicht so hoch wie vor der Wirtschaftskrise, aber wir wünschen uns das auch nicht, weil es nicht nachhaltig war. Die Frage ist, ob eine Maßnahme hinsichtlich der Steuer oder Löhne, die im letzten Jahr getroffen wurde, zur Nachhaltigkeit beitragen oder dass sie uns davon entfernen wird.



    Die Regierung in Bukarest versucht stufenweise das Defizit zu reduzieren. Die Finanzministerin Anca Dragu machte darauf aufmerksam, die Reduzierung des Beitrags der Versicherten zur Krankenkasse um fünf Prozentpunkte, die vom Senat gebilligt wurde, könne im kommenden Jahr nicht umgesetzt werden. Die Maßnahme koste rund acht Milliarden Lei (circa 1,8 Miliarden Euro). Anca Dragu dazu :



    Für das nächste Jahr schätzen wir ein Haushaltsdefizit von 2,8 oder 2,85% und das ohne der Maßnahme der Reduzierung um fünf Prozentpunkte des Beitrags des Versicherten zur Krankenkasse. Die Maßnahme ist nicht in diesem Haushaltsdefizit für das Jahr 2017 enthalten.



    Cătălin Păuna, Ökonomist der Weltbank in Rumänien, machte ebenfalls darauf aufmerksam, dass unser Land eine Steurerhöhung riskiere. Er hat aber erklärt, die Exekutive habe noch Zeit Ausgleichsmaßnahmen wie eine bessere Prioritisierung der öffentlichen Ausgaben und die Verbesserung der Steuererhebung zu treffen.



    Der IWF-Vertreter Alejandro Hajdenberg erklärte, die Erhöhung des Minderstlohns entmutige die Kompetitivität und die Investitionen und führe dazu, dass die Unternhemen zur grauen Wirtschaft rutschen. Alejandro Hajdenberg fügte hinzu, die negative Auswirkung der Erhöhung des Mindestlohns werde “noch negativer“, wenn es zwischen 25% und 45% des Durchschnittslohnes liegt. In Rumänien liegt er heute bei 45%. Ab Mai beträgt der Mindestlohn 1.250 Lei (circa 280 Euro).

  • IMF Recommendations for Romania

    IMF Recommendations for Romania

    The IMF and the World Bank have warned once again against tax cut policies, which the Romanian economy supposedly does not need. The two financial institutions believe that there is a significant risk for Romania to exceed its deficit threshold. In a debate on economic themes, IMF head for Romania, Reza Baqir, told the authorities in Bucharest to cancel or postpone the tax cuts they planned for 2017.



    Reza Baqir said that they would come at a moment when consumption is still high, which could overheat the economy. This is a danger warned about by the former representative, Jeffrey Franks. He pointed out that Romania has to be cautious in terms of economic policies, to avoid past mistakes. He said that it was comforting that Romania is once again growing economically, though not at a level similar to that before the crisis years. At the same time, he pointed out that those levels were not sustainable to begin with. The question, according to him, is whether or not tax rules and salaries over the last year bring us closer or further from sustainability.



    The government in Bucharest is attempting to cut down deficit. Finance Minister Anca Dragu said that reducing the healthcare contribution by 5%, a measure that recently passed the Senate, cannot be applied starting next year. She explained that the measure would cost almost 1.8 billion Euro, in a year when the pressure on the budget runs high.



    “According to our estimates, next year the budget deficit will stand at 2.8, maybe 2.85% with the measures in the Fiscal Code, if we dont take into account the five percent healthcare cut. This is not included in next years budget deficit.”



    World Bank economist for Romania, Catalin Pauna, pointed out that Romania risks being penalized for excessive deficit in 2017, and end up raising taxes. He admitted, however, that the executive still has time to apply compensatory measures, as well as improve its public spending and tax collection. At the same time, IMF representative, Alejandro Hajdenberg said that the raise in the minimum wage in Romania threatens domestic competition and investment, pushing companies towards the gray economy. The official said that the negative impact of raising the minimum wage gets worse when it reaches 25 to 45% of the minimum wage, and in Romania it is almost 45%. The minimum wage in Romania was raised in May to 1,250 lei, the equivalent of 280 Euro.

  • IMF Recommendations for Romania

    IMF Recommendations for Romania

    The IMF and the World Bank have warned once again against tax cut policies, which the Romanian economy supposedly does not need. The two financial institutions believe that there is a significant risk for Romania to exceed its deficit threshold. In a debate on economic themes, IMF head for Romania, Reza Baqir, told the authorities in Bucharest to cancel or postpone the tax cuts they planned for 2017.



    Reza Baqir said that they would come at a moment when consumption is still high, which could overheat the economy. This is a danger warned about by the former representative, Jeffrey Franks. He pointed out that Romania has to be cautious in terms of economic policies, to avoid past mistakes. He said that it was comforting that Romania is once again growing economically, though not at a level similar to that before the crisis years. At the same time, he pointed out that those levels were not sustainable to begin with. The question, according to him, is whether or not tax rules and salaries over the last year bring us closer or further from sustainability.



    The government in Bucharest is attempting to cut down deficit. Finance Minister Anca Dragu said that reducing the healthcare contribution by 5%, a measure that recently passed the Senate, cannot be applied starting next year. She explained that the measure would cost almost 1.8 billion Euro, in a year when the pressure on the budget runs high.



    “According to our estimates, next year the budget deficit will stand at 2.8, maybe 2.85% with the measures in the Fiscal Code, if we dont take into account the five percent healthcare cut. This is not included in next years budget deficit.”



    World Bank economist for Romania, Catalin Pauna, pointed out that Romania risks being penalized for excessive deficit in 2017, and end up raising taxes. He admitted, however, that the executive still has time to apply compensatory measures, as well as improve its public spending and tax collection. At the same time, IMF representative, Alejandro Hajdenberg said that the raise in the minimum wage in Romania threatens domestic competition and investment, pushing companies towards the gray economy. The official said that the negative impact of raising the minimum wage gets worse when it reaches 25 to 45% of the minimum wage, and in Romania it is almost 45%. The minimum wage in Romania was raised in May to 1,250 lei, the equivalent of 280 Euro.

  • Recomandările FMI pentru România

    Recomandările FMI pentru România

    Fondul Monetar Internaţional a anunţat, în cel mai
    recent raport, trei pericole pentru economia românească: continuarea
    reducerilor fiscale, încetinirea reformelor structurale şi legea dării în
    plată. Aceasta din urmă ar putea chiar să pună în pericol stabilitatea
    financiară şi ar putea îngreuna accesul populaţiei la credite. FMI apreciază,
    pe de altă parte, lupta împotriva corupţiei în România şi recomandă
    autorităţilor să nu cedeze presiunilor sociale în acest an electoral.

    Experţii
    Fondului confirmă îmbunătăţirea prognozei de creştere economică, dar semnalează
    că păstrarea circumstanţelor favorabile în care România se împrumută din
    exterior nu se poate face în absenţa reformelor. În plus, o revenire în
    procesul de absorbţie a fondurilor europene a contribuit la creşterea
    investiţiilor, astfel încât fondul estimează un avans economic de 4,2% în acest
    an şi de 3,6% în 2017.

    Analiştii semnalează, însă, că FMI are puţine mijloace
    de a forţa cu ceva autorităţile de la Bucureşti, în absenţa unui acord de asistenţă.

    Şeful misiunii pentru România, Reza Baqir, spune că mesajul principal pe care
    fondul vrea să-l transmită autorităţilor române este acela că actualele
    condiţii bune de finanţare, de care se bucură atât statul, cât şi sectorul
    privat, reprezintă rezultatul progreselor anterioare în implementarea
    reformelor şi că, printr-o încetinire sau inversare a acestor progrese, ţara
    riscă să piardă bunăvoinţa de care se bucură din partea investitorilor.

    Analistul economic Constantin Rudniţchi este de părere că aceste recomandări
    sunt dificil de impus în lipsa unui program formal şi în condiţiile anului
    electoral. Constantin Rudniţchi: ‘Totdeauna
    acest tip de colaborare surprinde problemele pe care economia le are sau le-ar
    putea avea. Ceea ce cred însă că e punctul slab al acestui tip de colaborare cu
    FMI este acela că, de fapt, neavând un acord în adevăratul sens al cuvântului
    şi o supraveghere post-program, nu există pârghii concrete în a duce mai
    departe reformele din administraţie, din zona fiscalităţii, din zona salarială,
    din zona indicatorilor macroeconomici şi a indicatorilor fiscali. Guvernul, cel
    puţin în programul de guvernare, şi-a propus să continue toate aceste reforme
    rămase în suspensie după încheierea acordului – sigur, cu viteză mai mare sau
    mai mică, cu determinare mai mare sau mai mică şi funcţie şi de interesele
    electorale ale acestui an’.

    Pe plan extern, FMI avertizează că o
    deteriorare a percepţiei de risc asociată pieţelor emergente ar putea declanşa
    ieşiri de capitaluri, deprecierea monedei naţionale şi o creştere substanţială
    a datoriei externe raportate la Produsul Intern Brut.

  • The IMF mission to Romania

    The IMF mission to Romania

    An IMF delegation came to Bucharest earlier this March to conduct its annual assessment of Romanian economy. IMF experts expect an economic growth rate of 4.2% this year and 3.6% in 2017, against the backdrop of fiscal relaxation and income-boosting measures, stimulating consumption.



    The head of the delegation, Reza Baqir, warned that tax cuts implemented under the new Fiscal Code were procyclical, thus putting Romania’s ability to react to future economic slumps at risk. The IMF recommends that Romania postpone fiscal relaxation measures scheduled for 2017, so as to reduce the budget deficit to 2% of the GDP. Additionally, Fund experts called on the authorities to postpone the future cut in VAT from 20% to 19%, as well as all the other facilities laid down in the Fiscal Code, which would result in savings worth 0.75% of the GDP.



    On the other hand, the IMF wants to see more progress regarding spending and fiscal administration. The IMF experts also referred to the dangers of excessively increasing the minimum wage, which might determine employers to operate layoffs or to resort to informal payment methods. The IMF also pointed to the negative impact of the repossession law on the financial sector.



    IMF chief for Romania Reza Baqir said that any support measure should be addressed to those who really need it. Romania should not waste resources helping those who took out loans for profit or investment purposes or those who still afford to pay their loans, the IMF official added. Reza Baqir insisted that the repossession law should not be applied retroactively, for existing contracts, which would seriously affect the wide perception of property law and the business environment.



    The repossession law allows people to trade in their houses in exchange for having their bank debts written off. As regards structural reforms, the IMF recommended the swift adoption of all provisions related to improving corporate governance in all state-owned enterprises and setting up a priority list for companies to be listed on the stock market or passed into private hands.



    Those reforms would help improve professional management in state-owned enterprises, would trigger a more effective distribution of resources and increase profitability. Additionally this line of reforms would help the state save money and curb its debts. The Fund also recommends that the authorities continue the fight against corruption, which would combat tax evasion, improve the business sector and attract more foreign investors.


    (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • January 12, 2016 UPDATE

    January 12, 2016 UPDATE

    ISTANBUL BLAST– The Romanian Foreign Ministry firmly condemns the terrorist attack carried out in Istanbuls historical district of Sultanahmet on Tuesday, which left dead and wounded. In a press release, the Romanian Foreign Ministry reiterates Romanias solidarity with the Turkish people and its support for the Turkish authorities in the effort to fight terrorism under all its forms. The perpetrator of the suicide bombing which killed over 10 people, among whom nine German nationals, is a Jihadist member of the Islamic State group, said Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. An emergency government meeting was summoned shortly after the blast, which occurred not far away from the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque, two monuments that are very popular with tourists. According to “CNN Turk, tourists from Germany and Norway are among the injured. Some months ago, a double suicide bombing killed 103 people in front of the central railway station in Ankara. The attack, the severest on Turkish soil ever, was blamed on the Islamic State Jihadist group.



    DIPLOMACY – Romanian Foreign Minister, Lazar Comanescu, paid a visit to Berlin on Tuesday, at the invitation of his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The talks focused on bilateral relations as well as on issues of topical interest on the European, regional and international agenda. One of the focal points of the talks was the cooperation between Bucharest and Berlin in the context in which Germany is holding the presidency of the OSCE this year. Lazar Comanescu underlined Germanys importance as an economic engine at European level and as a partner of Romania. Over 20% of Romanias foreign trade is bound for Germany and the Romanian-German trade balance is reasonably balanced, the Romanian Foreign Minister said. Over 20,000 companies running on German capital operate in Romania at present, employing over 300,000 people.



    NEW IMF MISSION CHIEF FOR ROMANIA – The new head of the IMF mission to Romania, the Pakistani Reza Baqir, is currently on a four-day visit to Bucharest, as of today, to meet the Romanian authorities. He replaces Andrea Schaechter, who completed her two and a half year term in office. Reza Baqir has been working with the IMF for 15 years, and was previously employed by the World Bank. At present Romania does not have an on-going agreement with the IMF. The latest accord came to an end in September 2015, after several failed attempts to reconcile the divergent views of the Romanian authorities and the international financial institution with respect to the fiscal relaxation promoted by Bucharest. Meanwhile, on Monday Romania signed a new memorandum with the World Bank, concerning the improvement of public administration efficiency. Under the new deal, WB will continue to provide technical assistance to Romanian public institutions until 2023 and will support the Government in enforcing structural reforms and public administration modernisation programmes.



    MOLDOVA – The leader of the Democratic Party in the Republic of Moldova, Marian Lupu, announced, after consultations with President Nicolae Timofti, the formation of a new parliamentary majority which could get a new cabinet endorsed. According to Lupu, the new coalition includes 56 out of the total 101 MPs: Democrats, Liberals, some members of the Liberal-Democrat floor group, which was part of the former pro-Western government coalition, as well as the 14 ex-Communist MPs who created a so-called Social Democratic Platform. Until Wednesday, Lupu said, this majority would also nominate a new candidate for the PM post. Moldovan media quoted by Radio Romania correspondents suggest this might be Vlad Plahotniuc, a controversial businessman and the one who finances the Democratic Party. Unless a new cabinet is sworn in by January 29, President Timofti will have to dissolve Parliament and call snap elections. The governmental crisis started in autumn, when the three-party government headed by the Liberal Democrat Valeriu Strelet was dismissed under a no-confidence motion tabled by the pro-Moscow left wing and backed by the Democrats.



    COUNTER-TERRORISM – The global counter-terrorism forum and the international coalition against the IS group convened on Monday for the first time, in the Hague, to coordinate efforts to fight terrorism. Officials from 50 countries concluded at the Europol meeting, initiated and chaired by the Netherlands, that fighting terrorism does not require new structures, but rather the implementation of all agreements and improved cooperation. The issue of young people recruited by terrorist groups into Syria and Iraq was also discussed. Countries are urged to step up and strengthen intelligence sharing concerning such youth. The Dutch Foreign Minister, Bert Koenders, emphasised that the efforts to counter terrorism must stay within the limits of both legal and moral principles.


    (Translated and edited by Diana Vijeu)

  • January 12, 2016

    January 12, 2016

    DIPLOMACY – The Romanian Foreign Minister, Lazăr Comănescu, is on a visit to Berlin today, at the invitation of his counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The talks will focus on the bilateral relation and major issues on the European, regional and international agenda. One topic will be the cooperation between Bucharest and Berlin, in the context of Germany holding the presidency of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe this year. Lazăr Comănescu stressed the importance of Germany as an economic engine of Europe and as a partner of Romania. More than 20% of Romanias foreign trade involves Germany, and the trade balance is reasonably balanced, the Romanian Foreign Minister explained. Over 20,000 companies running on German capital operate in Romania at present, employing more than 300,000 people.



    IMF ROMANIA – The new head of the IMF mission in Romania, the Pakistani Reza Baqir, will be on a four-day visit to Bucharest, as of today, to meet the Romanian authorities. He replaces Andrea Schaechter, who completed her two and a half year term in office. Reza Baqir has been working with the IMF for 15 years, and was previously employed by the World Bank. At present Romania does not have an on-going agreement with the IMF. The latest accord came to an end in September 2015, after several failed attempts to reconcile the divergent views of the Romanian authorities and the international financial institution with respect to the fiscal relaxation promoted by Bucharest. Meanwhile, Romania signed yesterday a new memorandum with the World Bank, concerning the improvement of public administration efficiency. Under the new deal, WB will continue to provide technical assistance to Romanian public institutions until 2023 and will support the Government in enforcing structural reforms and public administration modernisation programmes.



    MOLDOVA – The leader of the Democratic Party in the Republic of Moldova, Marian Lupu, announced, after consultations with President Nicolae Timofti, the formation of a new parliamentary majority which could get a new cabinet endorsed. According to Lupu, the new coalition includes 56 out of the total 101 MPs: Democrats, Liberals, some members of the Liberal-Democrat floor group, which was part of the former pro-Western governmental coalition, as well as the 14 ex-Communist MPs who created a so-called Social Democratic Platform. Until Wednesday, Lupu said, this majority would also nominate a new candidate for the PM post. Moldovan media quoted by Radio Romania correspondents suggest this might be Vlad Plahotniuc, a controversial businessman and the one who finances the Democratic Party. Unless a new cabinet is sworn in by January 29, President Timofti will have to dissolve the Parliament and announce snap elections. The governmental crisis started in autumn, when the three-party government headed by the Liberal Democrat Valeriu Strelet was dismissed under a no-confidence motion tabled by the pro-Moscow left wing and backed by the Democrats.



    COUNTER-TERRORISM – The global counter-terrorism forum and the international coalition against the IS group convened yesterday for the first time, in The Hague, to coordinate efforts to fight terrorism. Officials for 50 countries concluded at the Europol meeting initiated and chaired by the Netherlands, that fighting terrorism does not require new structures, but rather the implementation of all agreements and improved cooperation. The issue of young people recruited by terrorist groups into Syria and Iraq was also discussed. Countries are urged to step up and strengthen the sharing of intelligence concerning such youth. The Dutch Foreign Minister, Bert Koenders, emphasised that the efforts to counter terrorism must stay within the limits of both legal and moral principles.



    ISTANBUL BLAST – A powerful blast, suspected by authorities of being a terrorist act, occurred this morning in the Sultanahmet area downtown Istanbul, not far from Topkapî Palace and the Blue Mosque, and killed at least 10 people, Turkish news agencies have reported. Several months ago, a double suicide attack killed 103 people in front of the central railway station in Ankara. That attack, the most serious ever on Turkish territory, was blamed on the IS group.



    SPORTS – Romanias mens water polo team defeated Georgia 12-6, on Monday night, in their first game in Group C of the European Championship in Belgrade. On Wednesday, in the second stage, the national team will take on Italy. Group C also includes Germany. The European Water Polo Championships are a trial for the 2016 Olympics, and the winners secure their tickets to Rio de Janeiro, in August. The top 10 teams in the Euro 2016 Championships will take part in an Olympic qualification tournament.