President Klaus Iohannis said on Wednesday that this year our country will register sustainable economic growth, which is significantly higher than the EU average. “I also know that the recently adopted fiscal measures have not been well received by the business environment. However, I believe that the Government will take into account the necessary adjustments where they are needed and will take measures to maintain Romania’s fiscal competitiveness in order to continue to attract productive investments for the benefit of our economy,” he added. President Iohannis, News.ro reports. .

“I congratulate the National Council of Small and Medium Private Enterprises and all entrepreneurs of Romania, whose results we enjoy every year on the occasion of this event. Your work and results are extremely important to our economic development. Against the backdrop of the uncertainty of recent years, your efforts are even more urgent and deserve appreciation and support. Through your continued involvement, you have made a significant contribution to the post-pandemic recovery. Currently, the geopolitical current is marked by a new armed conflict in the Middle East, which is superimposed on the one going on in our neighborhood. The risks to the economy, already weakened by numerous crises, thus increase. This context raises the possibility that the global economic dynamics will slow down even more, and the symptoms of the recession will exacerbate budgetary and social problems with increased risks from the point of view of sustainability,” the head of state said in a message presented by Cosmin Marinescu, adviser to the president. – Department of Economic and Social Policy, on Wednesday, at an event organized in the Romanian Athenaeum by the National Council of Small and Medium Private Enterprises of Romania.

“Romania will continue to register robust economic growth, well above the European Union average this year,” continued Iohannis.

“Financially, after the stagnation of inflation in August, the disinflationary trend continues by reducing inflation below 9% since September. In this regard, I understand the concern of the business environment, especially since many small and medium-sized entrepreneurs are concerned about the burden of inflation. I also know that the recently enacted fiscal measures have not been well received by the business community. However, I believe that the Government will take into account the necessary adjustments where they are needed and will take measures to maintain Romania’s fiscal competitiveness in order to continue to attract productive investments for the benefit of our economy. Consolidation of state finances, fiscal compliance and increase in revenues to the state budget, productivity of the administrative apparatus and efficiency of public services are the main conditions of a modern state of the European type, which we want the Romanian state to be,” the head of state also said.

He added that everyone should be realistic about the numerous crises that have highlighted the structural vulnerability of our country’s budget and economy.

“In this sense, the message to you is to continue to build together with responsibility. We need financial stability and budgetary consolidation not only through the lens of Romania’s commitments to European forums, but as a healthy and sustainable policy imposed by the shortcomings and budgetary imbalances accumulated in the past. We must all be realistic, as multiple crises have reinforced the structural vulnerability of our budget and economy. In these times, the limits of an economic policy model focused more on consumption than on investment, oriented more on the short-term than on the long-term, are more clearly visible,” President Iohannis explained.

The President of Romania stated that Romania is in full implementation of the reforms and investments included in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

“Many measures that have been postponed for a long time have become extremely necessary today not only as obligations, but also as opportunities for the modernization of our administration and economy. The reforms and investments foreseen in the PNRR will lead to more efficient administration, closer to the taxpayers, as well as important progress in areas such as transport infrastructure, energy system, education, health and good governance. This is why the absorption of European funds is an important national goal, as European funds play a key role in supporting Romania’s economic growth. We already have the experience of two program periods and enough untapped potential in such competitive sectors as agribusiness, IT&C, the petrochemical industry or tourism,” added President Klaus Iohannis.

He also talked about the decrease in the number of small and medium-sized entrepreneurs who want to access structural funds and urged them to look at European funds as the cheapest source of financing for their business.

“Despite numerous opportunities, we still noticed a decrease in the number of small and medium-sized entrepreneurs who intend to get access to structural funds. Therefore, I encourage you to look at European funds as the cheapest source of financing your business! In this sense, the Government together with local authorities should take all necessary measures to promote the development of European funds available for the business environment. And you, representatives of SMEs, constantly encourage entrepreneurs to European funding programs in the interests of small and medium-sized businesses in Romania. Employers are also particularly concerned about the situation with professional qualifications on the labor market. I believe that this problem should be considered as an integral part of the educational policy, which has a strategic character for our economy. In this sense, state authorities and the business environment can jointly determine measures for training and attracting qualified personnel. Your participation in training young people is crucial for the functioning of a dynamic and competitive labor market in Romania,” said the head of state.

He added that “it is important to intensify the dialogue between the authorities and the business environment on topics that are of broad importance for the economy and the labor market, such as supporting the return of Romanians to the country or finding adequate answers to the challenges of demographic decline.”

“I am convinced that every anniversary is also a pleasant moment to reflect on the lessons learned, as well as on the goals set. I send my congratulations to everyone and I believe that you will continue on your chosen path, promoting at the same time the business community among the youth, as well as open communication and constant dialogue with the state authorities,” concluded President Iohannis. (News.ro)