Press Review - January 6, 2015

01.06.2016 By Gabriela Stan

 

Eurozone Inflation Stays Low In December

The annual inflation rate in eurozone remained low, at 0.2%, in December, while economic analysts say this will be transferred to the exchange rate and to the price of commodities brought to Romania from EU countries.

“Eurozone inflation is impacting the exchange rate in Romania, which is fluctuating, as well as the prices. All imported products are transferred into the local prices in one way or another.

That’s why I see a stability of the exchange rate and of prices,“ economic analyst Aurelian Dochia stated.

Dochia added that, on the other hand, Romania has to take into account the evolution of raw materials and energy prices, which have a general impact over prices and which have been on a downward trend lately, leading to lower prices. (Romania Libera)

 

Chamber Of Deputies Tacitly Adopted 32 Laws In 2015

The Chamber of Deputies tacitly adopted 32 laws in 2015, of which 10 were vetoed, seven are on the Senate’s agenda, five are sent to promulgation or to the Constitutional Court and 10 became laws.

The laws were tacitly adopted (without parliamentary debate), after the exceeding of the constitutional term of 45 days for their debate. Some of the tacitly adopted laws are absurd, others, although extremely important, can include absurd stipulations.

The tacitly adopted laws include the law of special pensions for local leaders, the law on TV and radio advertising for medical drugs, the bill on amending the law on Romania’s national safety, which bans illegal deforestations on areas larger than 1 hectare. (Puterea)

 

Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos Asks For Assessment Of Prefects’ Activity

Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos asked for an assessment of the prefects’ activity, which could be finalized at the end of January, according to government spokesperson, Dan Suciu.

“The government hasn’t made any decision related to prefects for the moment, but this doesn’t mean it will. The PM asked for an assessment of their activity first, and then a decision will be made,” Suciu stated.

A day before, Sociu stated that they have not started the evaluation of prefects and that no prefect will be replaced for the moment.

In general, every new government replaces the prefects, although they have a high official status. For example, Ponta government replaced the prefects twice. (Evenimentul Zilei)

 

Trade Registry: Romania Insolvency Numbers Down 52% In January-November

The number of insolvencies among Romanian companies declined 52% on the year in January-November 2015, to 9,446, compared with 19,703 in the corresponding period a year before, according to the Trade Registry Office data.

Most of the companies that closed their doors in the first eleven months of 2015 operate in retail and constructions sectors.

Most insolvencies were registered in capital Bucharest (1,666 firms, -47.18%), Bihor (518, -62%) and Timis (466,-40%) and the fewest in Calarasi (65), Salaj and Covasna (68 each).

At the end of November, the Trade Registry had records of around 1.1 million active companies. (Puterea)

 

Romanians Got More Selective When Buying A Home - Study

The last year showed that Romanians became more selective when buying a home and are interested more in comfort than in the acquisition price, according to a study by Imobiliare.ro and AnalizeImobiliare.ro.

The study shows that sellers became more cautious while buyers are more careful with what they buy.

The government-guaranteed mortgage lending First Home program was one of the main growth engines in the real estate sector, bringing over 20% of apartment buyers in 2015. Most buyers were interested in apartments worth EUR40,000-60,000. Except for Bucharest citizens, who were more interested in three-room apartments, most of the buyers countrywide chose two-room apartments.  (Adevarul)