October 29, 2022 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

România Internațional, 29.10.2022, 18:51

REPORT — The economic activity will remain relatively constant in October-December 2022 in Romania, according to data made public by the National Institute of Statistics (INS). Prices, however, especially those in industry, trade and constructions will continue to grow at a fast pace until the end of the year. This will bring down the purchasing power in the context of higher inflation rates, in spite of experts predicting an increase in the gross average salary by 11% this year. According to data collected from company managers, the prices and tariffs of companies will go up in the services sector, constructions, retail trade and processing industry.

DEBATES — Debates on the ordinance capping the price of firewood will be resumed next week by the Government’s expert committees after the document issued by the Government has led to a crisis on the wood market. Talks held last week on this matter led to the conclusion that the objective of supporting vulnerable categories has not been reached in the two months since the ordinance had taken effect because firewood and derivate projects disappeared from the market. Consequently, the document could be modified in Monday’s meeting. In another development, the Chamber of Deputies will discuss the ordinance that has raised the level of property taxation by 50%, document which could be revised.

MEASURE — The Romanian Government has raised the number of schools where students receive a warm meal, from 350 to 450, through an emergency ordinance passed on Friday. According to Education Minister Ligia Deca, this will increase the number of students benefitting this measure by 38,000. In case a warm meal cannot be provided, a food package of 3 euro per student will be offered. Also on Friday the Executive passed an emergency ordinance setting up a new government agency tasked with promoting Romanian exports and foreign investment.

UKRAINE — Almost 4 million people are affected by power outages after recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, France Presse cited President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as saying. The Ukrainian President also announced in his daily speech that electricity cut-offs were programmed in a number of cities and districts, in order to stabilize the situation. The capital Kyiv and the surrounding area will also be affected by unprecedented power outages due to the significant damage caused to the Ukrainian energy system by the Russian bombings. Russia has increased its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, destroying at least one third of it.

REFUGEES — The Romanian Border Police has announced that 103,287 people entered Romania on Friday of whom 8,000 Ukrainian citizens, up 3,68% as against the previous day. Some 2,700,000 Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania since the start of the Russian invasion on February 10. Most of them headed for Western Europe and several thousands were granted asylum in Romania. Around 70,000 have obtained stay permits.

TIME – Romania will switch to winter time on Saturday night when 4 am will become 3 am. Sunday will have 25 hours instead of 24, being the longest day of the year. The time change has been intensely debated in recent years, and the European Union has asked member states to decide whether they will permanently stay on summer or winter time. No decision has been made yet. (EE)