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Romania Central Bank Ups Inflation Forecast To 5.1% In 2011, 3.6% In 2012

The Romanian central bank revised upwards its forecasts for 2011 and 2012 annual inflation to 5.1% and 3.6%, respectively, governor Mugur Isarescu said Thursday.

Ten EU Countries Maintain Labor Restrictions For Romanians, Bulgarians

Ten European Union member states will retain some labor restrictions for Romanian and Bulgarian workers, four years after Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU.

Romanian MEP Vadim Tudor Referred To Prosecution Office Over Allegedly False Income Statements

Romania’s integrity agency ANI has referred far-right Greater Romania Party leader and MEP Corneliu Vadim Tudor to the General Prosecutors’ Office for alleged false statements in declaring his income for 2006 - 2008.

Romanian Anticorruption Prosecutors Indict 69 Customs Workers

Romanian anticorruption prosecutors Thursday have indicted 69 customs workers and border police officers from three customs points in western Romania, accused of taking bribes of over EUR82,000 to turn a blind eye on cigarette smuggling from neighboring Serbia.

Romanian Senate Approves New Car Tax Formula

Romania's Senate on Wednesday approved a bill setting a new formula for the calculation of the car tax, which takes into account the vehicle's value according to brand, type and engine.

Romanian Financial Guard, Customs Authority To Remain Separate Bodies

The Romanian Financial Guard and Customs Authority will not be absorbed by government revenue service ANAF, which will be reorganized through layoffs and the closing of some regional offices, people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian PM Says 42,000 Work Contracts Signed Since New Labor Code Took Effect

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said Wednesday 42,000 work contracts have been signed over the past two days, after authorities started checkups aimed to eliminate illegal jobs.

Switzerland Extends Labor Mkt Restrictions For Romanians, Bulgarians Until At Least 2014

Romanian and Bulgarian workers’ access to the Swiss labor market will continue to be restricted until at least 2014, after the country’s Federal Council confirmed Wednesday the extension of a transitional period imposed on citizens of the two EU countries, Swiss newspaper Le Matin reported online.

Fmr Customs Chief In NE Romania To Be Investigated At Large For Corruption

The High Court of Justice on Tuesday ruled that Aurel Anea, former chief of the Siret crossing point in northeastern Romania, and 44 border police officers indicted for corruption will be investigated at large.

Registrations Of Renault, Dacia Cars In Germany Dn 6% In April, To 12,900 Units

Registrations of Renault and Dacia cars in Germany fell 6% in April, to 12,900 units, while the overall German car market increased by 2.6%, to 266,300 cars, according to data released by Germany's motor vehicle department KBA.

Romania 1Q Tourist Arrivals Up 13.2% On Year

Tourist arrivals in Romania rose 13.2% in the first quarter compared with the year earlier period, while the number of tourists accommodated was up 12% on the year, the statistics institute INS said Wednesday.

Romania 1Q Adjusted Retail Sales -5.6% On Year

Romanian adjusted retail sales declined 5.6% in the first quarter of 2011 compared with the year-earlier period, on falling consumption in all sectors, the statistics institute INS said Wednesday.

Romanian Senate Committees Propose New Amendment To Bill Regulating Adoptions

The Romanian Senate committees for labor and legal matters on Tuesday adopted an amendment to a bill regulating adoptions, whereby couples living abroad can adopt a child two years after procedures are started if two requirements are met.

Moody’s: Romania Needs Structural Reforms, Performing State Cos

Romania's government must pursue structural reforms and improve state enterprise performance while maintaining the fiscal prudence that it embraced after the global crisis to fully-benefit from its economic ties with the European Union, Moody’s Investors Service said in a recent report.

Three Turkish Cos Interested In Building Private Hospitals In Romania

Three Turkish companies are looking to build private hospitals in Romania, including one specialized in cancer treatment, but these investments could be blocked by the lack of mutual recognition of medical licenses.

Romania’s Population Expected To Decrease In Next Four Yrs

The Romanian Government estimates Romania’s population will decrease by over 200,000 people in the next four years, to 21.1 million in 2015 from 21.3 million in 2011.

Romanian Govt Has No Plans To Seek Conf Vote For Social Assistance Law – PM

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said Tuesday that there are no current plans to adopt the law on social assistance by seeking a confidence vote in Parliament.

Romanian Fmr Youth Minister Indicted For Abuse Of Office

Romanian anticorruption prosecutors on Tuesday indicted former Youth and Sports Minister Monica Iacob Ridzi in a corruption file where she is charged with abuse of office.

Implementing U.S. Antimissile Shield In S Romania To Cost $400M

Costs to set up U.S. antimissile shield elements at a former airbase at Deveselu, in the southern Romanian Olt county, rise to $400million, plus $20 million to be allotted annually for system operations, a U.S. official said Tuesday.

Romanian Leu Widens Loss Vs Euro, Exchange Rate At 4.1073

Romania’s leu continued to retreat against the euro in mid trade Tuesday and the central bank’s reference weakened 0.5% to 4.1073 units, the lowest level in three weeks.

Romanians Still Can’t Afford New Apartments – JLL

New apartment prices are still too high for Romanians, while developers are getting signals that they can no longer count on government support, real estate consultancy firm Jones Lang LaSalle, or JLL, said in a report Tuesday.

Romania Central Bank Keeps Key Rate Unchanged At 6.25%

Romania’s central bank Tuesday left its main interest rate at a record low of 6.25% a year for the eighth straight time, after costlier fuels and food items pushed the inflation rate to the highest in 31 months.

Romanian Fmr Labor Minister Paul Pacuraru Acquitted In Corruption Trial

Romanian former labor minister, liberal Paul Pacuraru, and former liberal MP Dan Ilie Morega have been acquitted by the criminal section of the High Court of Justice in a corruption trial.

Romania Uses Topoloveni Plum Jam To Promote Tourist Brand

Romania’s tourist brand will be promoted on the label of Topoloveni plum jam ("Magiunul de prune Topoloveni") under a one-year protocol signed Tuesday by the jam’s producer and the country’s Tourism Ministry.

Romania Maintains Precautionary Terror Alert Following Bin Laden’s Death – President

Romania’s President Traian Basescu said Tuesday the country doesn’t need to raise the terror-threat level following the death of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, as authorities received no real information to justify such a move.

Romania Allows U.S. To Use SE Airport, Harbor For Transit

Romania’s highest defense body, CSAT, has allowed the USA to use the Mihail Kogalniceanu airport and Constanta harbor in southeastern Romania as transit points for the transport of troops and arms to and from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Romania, Bulgaria Ready To Join Schengen, Says EP Civil Liberties Committee

Romania and Bulgaria’s bid to join the Schengen border-free area won the European Parliament Civil Liberties Committee's green light on Monday, the EP said in a press release Monday.

Court Releases Romanian Interior Ministry Officers Charged With Aiding Thieves

Ioan Tarnu and Liviu Schiau, Romanian Interior Ministry officers in Alba county, charged with aiding a criminal group specialized in stealing machinery from EU states, have been released as the Alba Iulia Court of Appeals rejected prosecutors’ move to have them arrested.

Businessman Elan Schwartzenberg Bought 90% In Realitatea TV, Keeps Manager

Businessman Elan Schwartzenberg told a news conference Monday he has bought in media group Realitatea Media and Sebastian Ghita remains the group’s manager, under a five-year contract.

Romania Forex Reserves Fall To EUR32.1B In April

Romanian foreign exchange reserves fell to EUR32.07 billion in April from EUR32.77 billion a month earlier, central bank data showed Monday.

Romanian Carmaker Dacia Resumes Production

Romanian carmaker Dacia on Monday resumed production at its car plant in Mioveni, southern Romania, Dacia representative Anca Oreviceanu told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian Leu Falls Vs Euro, Exch Rate At 4.086

Romania’s leu extended early losses against the euro in mid-trade Monday and the central bank’s reference weakened 0.3% to 4.086 units, from 4.0744 units in the previous session.

Romanian Ruling Party To Nominate New Labor Minister After Party Elections On May 14

Romania’s ruling Democratic Liberal Party will nominate a new labor minister after its May 14 congress to elect a new party leader, party vice-president Gheorghe Flutur said Monday.

Romanian Interior Ministry Officers Charged With Aiding Machinery Thieves

Ioan Tarnu and Liviu Schiau, Romanian Interior Ministry officers in Alba county, have been detained by prosecutors for aiding a criminal group specialized in stealing machinery from EU states, responsible for EUR4.5 million in damages.

Romanian Dacia Car Registrations In France Up 6.6% In April, To 8,000 Units

Registrations of Romanian Dacia cars in France increased to about 8,000 units in April this year, up 6.6% compared to the same month in 2010.

Asking Prices For Bucharest Apartments Down 13% On The Year

The average asking prices for apartments in Bucharest dropped 13% on the year in April, realty ads portal anunturiparticulari.ro said Monday.

Romania Won’t Raise Terror-Threat Level In Aftermath Of Osama Bin Laden’s Death

Romania’s Interior Minister Traian Igas said Monday the country will not raise its terror alert level following the death of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Romanian Govt To Reduce Coastal Building Line To Half

Romania's Government wants to increase the central tourism authority's role on the Black Sea coast and reduce the coastal building line (the area where building is prohibited) to 50-150 meters from 100-300 meters, according to a draft emergency ordinance by the Tourism Ministry.

Romania To Set Up Investment Fund For Profitable SMEs With Cash Problems

Romania's Government will create an investment fund, fed by the National SME Loan Guarantee Fund, the Romanian Counterguarantee Fund and Eximbank, to finance profitable SMEs with temporary cash problems, and will also work out a system to finance small unlisted companies.

Romania’s New Labor Code Takes Effect, Illegal Labor Punishable By Prison

Romania’s new Labor Code, pushed through the Parliament through a vote of confidence early March, takes effect Sunday and employers risk prison sentences for using illegal labor.