Liberals invite parliamentary parties to consultations on August 17th
The Liberals have invited all parliamentary parties to consultations on August 17th on subjects regarding Romania’s macrostability such as European-fund absorption, infrastructure development and local administration reform. Another theme on the agenda is the Tax Code. Co-President of the Liberal Party Alina Gorghiu has stated that Liberal MPs are going to endorse the document on certain conditions:
Alina Gorghiu: We announced that we will endorse the Tax Code provided that numbers prove able to support the fiscal relaxation package. There have been several points and doubts which I hope the new impact study by the Cabinet will be able to put aside. I think these doubts – seconded by the Fiscal Council which believes all these measures, including raises of public servants’ salaries, would rise the deficit to 5-6% – are something we should discuss.
Other subjects proposed for consultations are the Schengen accession and Romania’s preparation for the EU Presidency in 2019.
Half billion euros entered Romania’s bank system from abroad in the first semester
More than half a billion euros have entered Romania’s bank system from abroad in the first semester of 2015. According to data by the National Trade Register Office, parent banks of subsidiaries in Romania and their shareholders have contributed with much larger sums than last year in order to improve stability, solvency and accounts of certain banks. The largest capital injection of almost 500 million euros was received by Volksbank Romania from its parent bank in view of sale to Transylvania Bank. OTP Romania and Unicredit Ţiriac are some other banks which benefited from considerable financial support from abroad. Two months ago, 45% of Unicredit Ţiriac Bank’s stake in Romania, owned by businessman Ion Ţiriac, has been bought by the Austrian division of the Italian group Unicredit.
25% of Romania’s crops compromised by the severe drought
At least a quarter of all crops in Romania have already been compromised by the severe drought this year. Corn, sunflower and soy crops are the most affected. Moldova is the region registering the highest losses, but also a large part of Dobrudja, the Southwest and Northwest of Romania, according to Laurenţiu Baciu, president of Agricultural Producers Associations in Romania. Representatives of these organisations have asked for financial help from the authorities in order to be able to continue their activity. The Ministry of Agriculture has for the time being promised compensations for smaller crops, in as far larger exploitations are concerned special financing being required.
Foreign exchange reserves of Romania’s Central Bank drop by almost 1 billion euros
Foreign exchange reserves of Romania’s Central Bank (BNR) have dropped by almost 1 billion euros in July against June 2015 and reached 29.152 billion euros, according to a press release by BNR. The decrease was tiggered mainly by reimbursement of state bonds issued by Finance Ministry, overdue on July 29th. Gold reserves are being maintained at 103.7 tons which are worth 3.3 billion euros.
Romanians and Poles accounting for the highest number of immigrants in Germany
The highest number of immigrants reaching Germany last year came from Poland and Romania, according to data published today by The Federal Statistical Office in Berlin. The number of foreigners living in Germany reached 11 million persons last year, accounting for about 13% of the total population in Europe’s first economy, the highest level since statistical data in this field has first been collected in 2005. Approximately 620,000 newcomers last year are EU citizens, mostly Poles and Romanians (109,000 persons) but also Italians and Bulgarians. Federal Ministry of the Interior in Berlin is expecting 450,000 asylum applications this year.
Gloom perspective regarding Romania’s demographics
Romania’s population will decrease to 17.5 million persons over the next 15 years and will drop under 11 million by 2.100. According to reviewed data published by the UN last week, Romania is one of the 11 countries worldwide whose population will decrease by more than 15 percent by the half of this century. UN’s report regarding demographics shows Romania’s population in 2050 will reach 15.2 million persons. The world population will grow to 10 billion persons the same year, 2.5 billion higher than it is now, RADIO ROMANIA reported.
4% more foreign tourists have visited Romania over the last year
According to a press release by the National Institute of Statistics, arrivals in tourism premises in Romania have seen more than 15% rise in June 2015 compared to the similar month last year. 4% more foreign tourists have visited Romania in the same period whilst the number of Romanian tourists leaving abroad has registered a 19% rise. The average length of a vacation was 2.6 days for Romanian tourists and 2 days for foreign ones. During the first semester of 2015, the highest number of foreign tourists visiting Romania was from Germany, Italy, Israel, France, the US, the UK and Hungary, RADIO ROMANIA reported.
Revered medical academic Laurenţiu Popescu, discoverer of telocytes, passes away
Medical academic Laurenţiu Popescu, general manager of „Victor Babeş” National Institute in Bucharest and revered professional of international medical research passed away – according to a press release by the institution. Dr. Laurenţiu Popescu is the author of one of the most appreciated discovery worldwide that has revolutionized medical research in the field of stem cells: telocytes. The coffin lies in state at Biserica Icoanei Church in Bucharest and the funeral will take place on Wednesday, August 5th at Ghencea Civil Cemetery.
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