The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Thursday revised upward its forecast for Romanian economy to minus 2 percent in 2010, from a contraction of 3 percent previously estimated, citing slightly improvements over recent months. In its latest economic outlook, the EBRD said Romania has managed to remain "on course" with its EUR 20 billion IMF-led program by implementing austerity measures that will keep the fiscal accounts under control.

*Franks, IMF: The Emergency Ordinance 50 is a must in order to get the next loan tranche – in Ziarul Financiar
*Carrefour found another EUR 60 million for local operations. Romanian retails start falling – in Ziarul Financiar
*Orange's revenues drop mainly on the prepay segment – in Ziarul Financiar
*The GP per capital will return to the 2008 level only in 2013 – in Ziarul Financiar
*Eximbank grows loans portfolio by 20% to EUR 118 million – in Ziarul Financiar
*100,000 Dacias with GPL – on Adevarul

he emergency ordinance 50/2010 on consumer lending contracts should only be applied to new contracts and not to existing ones, said Jeffrey Franks, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation in Romania. Moreover, this will be a condition for Romania receiving the next IMF loan tranche, according to Franks. “The way the European directive was transposed into the Romanian legislation will trigger difficulties and costs.

Honda Marine, the Honda division which produces boat engines, has entered the Romanian market with a EUR 0.5 million investment.

Romania will return to economic growth in 2011, most likely of around 1.5 percent, representatives of the International Monetary Fund said Thursday, following media estimations that the country would remain mired in recession for the third consecutive year. Jeffrey Franks, head of the IMF mission to Bucharest (in picture, right), said the media reports were incorrect and the Fund doesn't forecast an economic decline for next year.

Tubular producer ArcelorMittal Tubular Products Iasi will invest USD 11 million in a new cold formed production line with a capacity of 120,000 tones per year, in order to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

Romanian state-owned hydropower generator Hidroelectrica could invest some EUR 18 million in the next years to set up wind turbines on its hydropower plants along the river Siret, company operational director Dragos Zachia said Thursday.

Atteco Club has invested EUR 1.8 million in Oxygen Club in Sun Plaza shopping center in Bucharest, which includes a bowling and pool area, a club, restaurant, terrace and playground. The owners estimate the club, which will be inaugurated on Thursday evening, October 28, will post a EUR 700,000 turnover in 2010, having run since May this year.

Orange Romania, the largest mobile operator in Romania, reported revenues of EUR 246 million in the third quarter, 9 percent lower compared to the same period of last year, according to the quarterly report of mother company France Telecom Group.

The International Monetary Fund told the Romanian Government it disagrees with increasing the minimum wage in 2011 to...

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Thursday revised upward its forecast for Romanian economy to minus 2 percent in 2010, from a contraction of 3 percent previously estimated, citing slightly improvements over recent months. In its latest economic outlook, the EBRD said Romania has managed to remain "on course" with its EUR 20 billion IMF-led program by implementing austerity measures that will keep the fiscal accounts under control.

*Franks, IMF: The Emergency Ordinance 50 is a must in order to get the next loan tranche – in Ziarul Financiar
*Carrefour found another EUR 60 million for local operations. Romanian retails start falling – in Ziarul Financiar
*Orange's revenues drop mainly on the prepay segment – in Ziarul Financiar
*The GP per capital will return to the 2008 level only in 2013 – in Ziarul Financiar
*Eximbank grows loans portfolio by 20% to EUR 118 million – in Ziarul Financiar
*100,000 Dacias with GPL – on Adevarul

he emergency ordinance 50/2010 on consumer lending contracts should only be applied to new contracts and not to existing ones, said Jeffrey Franks, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation in Romania. Moreover, this will be a condition for Romania receiving the next IMF loan tranche, according to Franks. “The way the European directive was transposed into the Romanian legislation will trigger difficulties and costs.

Honda Marine, the Honda division which produces boat engines, has entered the Romanian market with a EUR 0.5 million investment.

Romania will return to economic growth in 2011, most likely of around 1.5 percent, representatives of the International Monetary Fund said Thursday, following media estimations that the country would remain mired in recession for the third consecutive year. Jeffrey Franks, head of the IMF mission to Bucharest (in picture, right), said the media reports were incorrect and the Fund doesn't forecast an economic decline for next year.

Tubular producer ArcelorMittal Tubular Products Iasi will invest USD 11 million in a new cold formed production line with a capacity of 120,000 tones per year, in order to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

Romanian state-owned hydropower generator Hidroelectrica could invest some EUR 18 million in the next years to set up wind turbines on its hydropower plants along the river Siret, company operational director Dragos Zachia said Thursday.

Atteco Club has invested EUR 1.8 million in Oxygen Club in Sun Plaza shopping center in Bucharest, which includes a bowling and pool area, a club, restaurant, terrace and playground. The owners estimate the club, which will be inaugurated on Thursday evening, October 28, will post a EUR 700,000 turnover in 2010, having run since May this year.

Orange Romania, the largest mobile operator in Romania, reported revenues of EUR 246 million in the third quarter, 9 percent lower compared to the same period of last year, according to the quarterly report of mother company France Telecom Group.

The International Monetary Fund told the Romanian Government it disagrees with increasing the minimum wage in 2011 to...