September 19, 2024 UPDATE

Click here for the latest news from RRI

Newsroom, 19.09.2024, 20:00

CSAT – A meeting of the Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT) took place in Bucharest, on Thursday, the agenda including topics such as the war in Ukraine and the endowment of the Army in the future. The CSAT members came to the conclusion that Romania is directly interested in having industrial capacities on its territory that can ensure both the production of modern military equipment for equipping the peacetime force structure, as well as the development of new equipment that should contribute to the multiplication of military capabilities in crisis or war situations. This, in the context in which they debated the Romanian Army’s endowment plan for the next 10 years, after the major change in the regional security situation, generated by Russia’s aggressive stance in Ukraine. In this context, taking into account the recent developments in the neighboring country, the council discussed additional measures to deter and combat security threats, to be implemented at the national level, as well as with the support of NATO allies. Consolidating the Strategic Partnership with the Republic of Moldova was another topic on the agenda, and Romania reiterates its support for Chişinău’s European roadmap by supporting the implementation of reforms and the necessary public policies.

Reindustrialization – The Romanian government is concerned with the country’s reindustrialization and is working on a National Plan for Large Industry worth almost 2 billion Euros. It will be focused on three main pillars: support for strategic investments in the processing industry, state aid for large companies that carry out investments capable of reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions, respectively energy consumption, and support for companies that produce raw materials. According to Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, the government wants to strengthen the economic development model based on investments.

Floods – The Romanian Institute of Hydrology and Water Management has announced that the flow of the Danube at the entrance in Romania on the Baziaş section will increase significantly, until September 24, up to 8,000 cubic meters per second, i.e. more than double the multi-year average of September. The authorities in the field give assurances, however, that the dam at Portile de Fier (Iron Gates) is ready to receive and transit the flood expected after the heavy rainfall in central Europe. Meanwhile, the risk of flooding remains in eastern Romania, already heavily affected by the passage of cyclone Boris. Code orange and yellow alerts are in effect for major runoff from slopes, torrents, streams and flash floods on small rivers. In the localities flooded last weekend, firefighters from all over the country, rescuers, gendarmes and volunteers are on alert and are intervening to help people, who also need the bear necessities. We remind you that the recent floods have claimed lives and have caused huge material damage.

Statistics – The National Commission for Strategy and Prognosis (CNSP) changed the economic growth estimate for this year down to 2.8%, from the previous 3.4%. According to the Projection of the Main Macroeconomic Indicators, a GDP growth of 3.5% is estimated for 2025 and of 3.7% for 2026, then, from 2027, the trend will be downward to 3.3%, respectively 2.9% in 2028. Inflation at the end of the year is forecast at 4.5%, above the national bank target of 4%, falling to 3.8% next year and to 2.9% in 2026. The average exchange rate is projected at 4.98 lei/Euro in 2024. The current account deficit is estimated to rise to 7.7% of the GDP this year, from 7% of the GDP last year. The trade deficit will increase, according to the Commission, to 32.7 billion Euros this year, from 28.9 billion Euros last year, after a growth in exports of 1.8% and in imports of 4.5%. According to the CNSP, the average net monthly wage could rise by 14.8% in 2024, to 5,066 lei (approx. 1,020 Euros).

Trafficking – Three drug traffickers (two Moldovan citizens and one Romanian) were arrested in Bucharest, after being caught red-handed with 10 kilograms of prohibited substances. The leader of the network has developed numerous connections in the drug and psychoactive substance trafficking communities in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. According to the police, the psychoactive substance has a market value of 200,000 Euros. The drugs were to reach over 100,000 consumers.

Elections – The electoral campaign for the presidential election in Romania will start on October 25, the Permanent Electoral Authority announced on Thursday. Electoral competitors can submit their candidacy by October 5 at the latest. The authorities will organize approximately 19,000 polling stations in the country, and the Romanian citizens abroad will be able to cast their vote in over 900 stations. According to the most recent data, there are over 18 million voters in Romania for whom ballots will be printed, and approximately 5 million ballots will be prepared for the citizens abroad, says the president of Permanent Electoral Authority, Toni Greblă. (LS)