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Romania Sept Private Lending -0.3% On Mo, -2.4% On Yr

12:25, 23 Oct. 2009
Romanian private lending fell 0.3% in real terms on the month in September to 198.9 billion lei (EUR1=RON4.2923), and was down 2.4% on the year, central bank data showed Friday.

Romania’s Second Nuclear Plant To Be Built Nearby Somes River – Sources

19:11, 22 Oct. 2009
Romania’s second nuclear plant will be built nearby Somes river, in Transylvania area, as authorities are currently evaluating four locations, government sources told MEDIAFAX Thursday.

Ford’s Romanian Unit Automobile Craiova Names New Head

19:01, 22 Oct. 2009
The board of Romania’s auto assembly plant Automobile Craiova (AUCS.RO), owned by U.S. carmaker Ford, named Valeriu Girlea as the company's general manager last week, after Lucian Lutaru resigned, the company announced Thursday.

IMF To Visit Romania Oct 28-Nov 9, Follow-Up Mission May Be Needed

18:51, 22 Oct. 2009
The International Monetary Fund will send a second mission to Romania in the October 28-November 9 period to review the country’s progress regarding a EUR13 billion loan, but cautioned a follow-up mission may be necessary to continue talks after a new government is in place, the IMF said Thursday.

Romanian President Issues Referendum Decree

18:44, 22 Oct. 2009
Romanian president Traian Basescu issued Thursday the decree organizing the referendum for a single-chamber Parliament and reducing the number of Parliament Members to at most 300, despite Parliament opposition.

IMF Mission May Arrive In Romania Next Week – Sources

16:44, 22 Oct. 2009
A mission of the International Monetary Fund to review Romania’s progress in meeting the terms related to a EUR13 billion loan is likely to arrive in Bucharest next week, people working with the IMF told MEDIAFAX Thursday.

Romanian Construction Mkt Won’t Revive Sooner Than Mid-2010

16:38, 22 Oct. 2009
The Romanian constructions market, which currently faces a severe decline, will not revive sooner than in May-June 2010, according to Claudiu Georgescu, head of the Association of Construction Material Producers in Romania, or APMCR.

Romanian Guarantee Fund OKs 6,000 “First Home” Applications, Worth 25% Of Total Budget

16:33, 22 Oct. 2009
Romania's loan guarantee fund for small and medium-sized enterprises approved until Monday 5,900 guarantee contracts for applicants in the "First Home" program, accounting for 25% of the EUR1 billion budget allotted by the government.

Romania Health Ministry Sacks 21 Hospital Managers, 14 Health Dept Heads

16:31, 22 Oct. 2009
Romania’s Health Ministry decided to sack 21 hospital managers and 14 directors coordinating public health departments in capital Bucharest and countrywide, and pointed out the decision has nothing to do with the country’s current shaky political situation.

Only 4% Of Romanians Shopped Online In 2008 – EC Research

16:26, 22 Oct. 2009
Romanians and Bulgarians are most distrustful about the cross border internet shopping in the European Union and only 4% of Romanian and 3% of Bulgarian consumers shopped online last year, according to a research conducted by the European Commission.

Romanian Magistrates’ Vote Fmr Head Lidia Barbulescu For Supreme Court President

16:24, 22 Oct. 2009
Romania’s High Council of Magistrates Thursday voted former council head Lidia Barbulescu to be president of the country’s High Court of Justice, but the appointment is to be made by the head of state.

WB May Approve 2nd EUR360M Loan To Romania By Yr-end – MOF

14:59, 22 Oct. 2009
The World Bank may approve a second EUR360 million loan of a larger EUR1 billion financial package aimed at development policies in Romania by the end of the year, the country's Finance Ministry said in a statement Thursday.

Romanian Transelectrica Employees Plan To Go On Strike Nov 2

14:17, 22 Oct. 2009
The employees of Romania’s state-owned power grid operator Transelectrica (TEL.RO) will go on warning strike Monday and plan to go on general strike indefinitely starting November 2, after the management refused to fix demands for work conditions and salaries.

Bucharest Mayor Terminates Historical Center Rehabilitation Contract With Sedesa Co

13:55, 22 Oct. 2009
Bucharest general mayor Sorin Oprescu said Thursday he has terminated the contract with Spanish company Sedesa, the contractor for rehabilitation works in Bucharest’s historical center, and a public auction will be organized for the remaining ten streets of the center that need rehabilitation.

Romanian Liberals Submit Proposition To Downsize Parliament To 316 Lawmakers

13:53, 22 Oct. 2009
Romania’s Liberal Party submitted a draft law to downsize the Parliament to just 316 lawmakers from the current 471, liberals Eugen Nicolaescu said Thursday, adding there is no need for a referendum to downsize the Parliament, but a mere legislative amendment.

U.S. VP Biden Welcomes Romania’s Support For Obama Antimissile Def Plan

13:19, 22 Oct. 2009
Romanian President Traian Basescu said Thursday after a meeting with U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden that their talk reaffirmed that security within NATO is undividable and Biden thanked Romania for supporting the U.S.’ new antimissile defense plan.

Romanians Should Protest In The Street To Get Highways – Transports Minister

13:02, 22 Oct. 2009
The Romanian Government would allocate more money for highway construction if people demanded this in the street, Transports Minister Radu Berceanu said Thursday in the Romania Construct Forum 2009 conference, organized by MEDIAFAX.

Financial Aid For Romanian Food-Hit Areas In ‘08 Granted Upon EC Evaluations – Govt

11:14, 22 Oct. 2009
Romania's Government on Wednesday said European Union funds worth EUR11 million, used as financial assistance for floods that occurred in 2008, were allocated to counties Suceava, Botosani, Neamt, Iasi and Maramures, in northern Romania, after the EC experts assessed flood-related damages.

U.S. VP Biden Meets With Romanian Officials Thursday

09:49, 22 Oct. 2009
U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden, who arrived in Romania’s capital Bucharest Wednesday evening, meets Thursday with Romanian President Traian Basescu, acting Prime Minister Emil Boc, Senate Chairman Mircea Geoana and liberal leader Crin Antonescu.

First Confirmed Case Of New Flu Virus In A School In Bucharest, Romania

09:43, 22 Oct. 2009
The first case of the AH1N1 flu virus infection in a school in Romanian capital Bucharest was confirmed on Thursday at School no. 146 in the Panduri neighborhood.

Romanian Social Democrats Oust Bucharest District 2 Mayor From The Party

20:39, 21 Oct. 2009
The Bucharest social democrats ousted District 2 mayor Neculai Ontanu, following his statements of support for president Traian Basescu, according to organization leader Marian Vanghelie.

Romanian Parliament Accepts An Increase In Heating Aid Ceiling

19:33, 21 Oct. 2009
Romanian interim prime minister Emil Boc said the Parliament has already accepted to increase the ceiling for heating aid, adding he asks mayoralties to start receiving requests from people with family member incomes between 425 lei (EUR1=RON4.2930) and RON615.

Russian Inter Rao May Resume Pwr Export To Romania In ’10

19:27, 21 Oct. 2009
Russian Inter RAO EES may resume the exports of electricity to Romania in 2010, upon the coming into force of the new energy trading contracts to be negotiated in November, a head of state-owned power grid operator Transelectrica (TEL.RO) said Wednesday.

Romanian Execs Afraid To Claim Penalties For Late VAT Refunds – Survey

19:18, 21 Oct. 2009
Only 3% of Romanian companies that filed for value added tax refunds have also requested penalty interest for payment delays, fearing potential repercussions from the authorities, according to a survey conducted by Deloitte Romania.

Romanian Social Democrat Leader Threatens To Oust Bucharest District 2 Mayor From Party

18:37, 21 Oct. 2009
Romanian social democrat leader Mircea Geoana told Bucharest District 2 mayor Neculai Ontanu he will be excluded from the party if he does not withdraw his statement according to which he supports President Traian Basescu for a second term, social democrats told MEDIAFAX Wednesday.

Romanian PM-Designate To Present Govt Structure In Parliament Friday Or Monday

16:32, 21 Oct. 2009
Romanian designated Prime Minister Lucian Croitoru will forward to the Parliament Friday or Monday morning the list with the structure of the new Government made up of 14 ministries led by technocratic ministers, democrat liberals told MEDIAFAX Wednesday.

Referendum On Parliament Downsizing To Be Held Despite Opposition – Romanian President

16:18, 21 Oct. 2009
Romanian President Traian Basescu said Wednesday that the referendum on downsizing the Parliament will be held, arguing that the current Cabinet, although it has limited powers, can still issue government decisions.

Romanian Bks Payment Refusals Up 2.6-Fold YY In Jan-Sept

16:13, 21 Oct. 2009
Romanian banks rejected from payment promissory notes, cheques and bills of exchange totaling 6.52 billion lei (EUR1=RON4.2930) in the first nine months, up 2.6-fold from the same period in 2008, according to the country’s central bank.

Romania Gets EUR300M In WB Money – Treasury Head

15:12, 21 Oct. 2009
Romania has received the first EUR300 million loan of a larger EUR1 billion financial package granted by the World Bank, Treasury head Laurentiu Andrei told MEDIAFAX Wednesday.

Bucharest Social Democrat Sector 2 Mayor Backs Basescu For Reelection

14:39, 21 Oct. 2009
The social democrat mayor of Bucharest’s sector 2 said in a press release Wednesday that he supports acting President Traian Basescu for a second term and now risks exclusion for his party.

Romanian Employers To Decide On Minimum Wage After Future Govt Sets Anti-Crisis Plan

14:33, 21 Oct. 2009
Romanian employers said Wednesday they will continue negotiations to set the minimum wage for 2010, but they will make no decision until the future Government presents them with macroeconomic figures and its anti-crisis strategy.

Romanian President Directs Majority Parties To Form Alliance

12:26, 21 Oct. 2009
Romanian President Traian Basescu said Wednesday that the parties which have stated their majority in Parliament need to go to court to register an alliance and may then have discussions with the President, but not before the 2012 parliamentary elections.

Romanian Lawmakers Acknowledge New Majority

11:40, 21 Oct. 2009
Romanian lawmakers adopted Wednesday 252 to two votes a political declaration acknowledging a new parliamentary majority that backs Sibiu mayor Klaus Johannis for prime minister.

Romanian Lawmakers Disapprove President’s Call For Referendum

10:34, 21 Oct. 2009
Romanian lawmakers Wednesday voted to disapprove President Traian Basescu’s letter calling for a national referendum on November 22, along with presidential elections, to downsize the Parliament to a single chamber and maximum 300 lawmakers.

Romanian Politician Nati Meir Arrested For 29 Days Under Forgery Charges

09:46, 21 Oct. 2009
The Bucharest Court ruled Tuesday evening to place Romanian politician Nati Meir under preventive arrest for 29 days under charges of forgery, possession and circulation of forged currency.

Romania’s Unirea Urziceni Scores First Win In Champions League With Glasgow Rangers

09:43, 21 Oct. 2009
Romania’s champion team Unirea Urziceni scored its first victory in Champions League Tuesday evening, beating Scotland’s Glasgow Rangers 4-1 (1-1) in Glasgow, sending the Scots to the bottom of Group G.

Statute Of Limitations Rids Romanian Businessman S.O. Vantu Of Forgery Charges

20:44, 20 Oct. 2009
The Bucharest Court of Appeals decided Tuesday, by final decision, the discontinuation of the trial on the creation of the International Bank for Development (BID), a case where businessman Sorin Ovidiu Vantu was charged with forgery.

Romanian Lawmakers Reject Request To Suspend Chamber Of Deputies’ Speaker

17:13, 20 Oct. 2009
Romania's Chamber of Deputies committee for legal matters rejected Tuesday 14 to nine votes and one abstention the request of social democrats and liberals to suspend Chamber Speaker Roberta Anastase for 30 days.

Romanian Police Raid Nati Meir’s Firm, Seize Over 1,500 Forged EUR500 Banknotes

17:11, 20 Oct. 2009
Romanian police officers raided the office of politician Nati Meir’s firm and confiscated 1,525 forged EUR500 banknotes, which he had used as deposits on various contracts, requesting commissions to be transferred into his accounts.

Romanian Social Democrat Leader Urges PM-Designate To Refuse Govt Leadership

16:51, 20 Oct. 2009
Romanian social democrat leader Mircea Geoana said Tuesday social democrats, liberals, the Hungarian minority party and the group of national minorities asked designated Prime Minister Lucian Croitoru to refuse the position of prime minister and not enter a political game that is out of his league.