The Minister of Finances Pogea has recently declared that Romania has obtained European Union Funds for a total sum of 176 million euro, but at the same time, the salaries of the public administration personnel have increased of 300 million euro. After the accession to the EU, the country received 176 million euro, out of a total amount of 3.1 billions euro granted by the Community.

A salary increase of 75% will be given to the personnel who work to attract European Funds, according to their services. “This increase could reach the 75%. It will be granted only to persons who are directly involved in the activity of achieving Community funds, while the increase will be based on the services, that means the tasks precisely aimed to attract funds that will materialize in money effectively awarded to Romania . With these circumstances only, such an increase can be expected to be given.

The creation of a Guarantee Fund for loans to small and medium enterprises is one of the most important measures against crisis proposed by the representatives of the Affairs Department taking part to the project “Private Government” begun by Business Standard. This proposal has already been accomplished by Emil Boc Government. As the President of the institution stated, the National Guarantee Fund for Loans to SMEs is in charge with supplying in 2009 guarantees of approximately 350 millions euro for loans of more than 700 millions euro, with an increase of 60% in comparison with last year.

The major developers of the region may now take advantage by a new Romanian plan which gives double incentives to producers of Aeolian energy and to others projects for the productions of renewable energy. But the President of General Electric for Eastern Europe and Russia, Rod Christie, forewarns about financial difficulties that endangered some projects to such an extent to cause their stagnation.

During his speech at the Parliament Palace (9.March), President Basescu pointed out that Romania has 9 billion Euros available, which come from different sources of financing and which are not used due to the huge bureaucratic machinery.

Marian Sarbu, Minister of Labour, Family and Social Protection, opened on Tuesday the 31st of March, three new lines of financing from the European Social Fund. Thus he officially launched the program “More employees, healthier and more competent” to help Romanian companies during the crisis.

Investors’ interest for opportunities offered by Romania in the field of renewable energy sources is becoming bigger and bigger. The valorization of alternative sources is one of the main objectives of UE policy concerning environment/energy. The aim is double: to boost a gradual giving up of conventional combustible gases and to support the Member States in gaining energetic independence from external sources.

More than ever, to handle the effects of the ongoing international financial crisis and the world economic recession, the recourse to EC Structural Funds allocated to Romania is an unavoidable step. As the Supply and Demand needs stimulating, Investing and supporting the agriculture development through the implementation of the Structural Funds, would give some breath to Romania.

As the European Structural Funds for rural development are concerned, only the 2,5 % of them have been absorbed and, as a survey by ARSP has showed, Romania has absorbed only 45 millions of euro of the 2008 funds of 1,78 million allocated to the rural development sector.

Do you want to develop your company? Do you want to internationalize your activity? If you are a Romanian firm, established like a SME or a microcompany, you have the possibility to obtain financing governmental free grant through the presentation of a project during the period 2009-2010, with the aim to promote abroad the activity of Your society.

In a recent interview, Niculae Idu, manager of the office that represents the European Commission in Romania, talks about the current economic situation and the future use of European funds in Romania. In particular, the European Union has allocated a funding package for Eastern Europe countries.

Small and medium-sized Romanian law companies could be funded with non-reimbursable grant through the Structural funds Sectoral Operational Program - Growth of Economic Competitiveness, dedicated to those who wish to purchase services of qualified consultants in their field of competence. The program is carried on for the period 2010-2011.

The Regional Operational Program Priority Axis 4 - Strengthening the regional and local business environment - includes an action field related to the infrastructure for business environment. It’s the measure 4.1. - Long-term development of business support structures relevant at regional and local level.

November has brought to structural funds beneficiaries more than 80 million euro, compared to 26 million in the previous month. The official data of the Authority for the Coordination of Structural Instruments (ACSI) shows that 31.4 million euro, that is one third of these funds, were directed to the Operational Program on Transport, which allowed an increase of the absorption rate from 0% to 2.4%.

A new call for projects to obtain funding grant for SMEs, operating on the Romanian market, offers the opportunity to promote their activities in abroad. Financing make a part of the European Structural Funds, more precisely the Sectoral Operational Program - Growth of economic Competitiveness. The value of grants that companies can benefit may reach 70% of eligible project.

The business environment in Romania is eligible for UE Structural Funds through the Axis no. 4.1 of National ROP. The objective of this sector’s investment in related to the creation, the modernization of regional and local structures for the support of business in order to attract new investment and participate on development of local and regional economies. The business support structures are well delimited and destinated for various economic activities, like production and services, and includes also technologic parks.