Romanians celebrate Saint Nicolae (Nicholas) on December 6, when over 800,000 people also celebrate their name day. Nicolae, Nicu, Nicoleta, Niculina are the most common names of Romanian people who celebrate their name day on St. Nicholas.

Romania’s Transport Ministry will launch EU-funded projects worth EUR 5.57 billion by the end of next year, among which the construction of 289 kilometers of highway and the upgrade of 166 kilometers of railway, Transport Minister Anca Boagiu said Sunday.

*Nicolae Danila, the wealthiest Romanian banker, has EUR 21 million in liquid assets. How he hedges against risk: has accounts with 15 banks – in Ziarul Financiar
*BCR lost EUR 120 million from clients who refinanced loans with other banks – in Ziarul Financiar
*Deutsche Telekom will invest EUR 1 billion in South Eastern Europe – in Ziarul Financiar
*One in three Romanians won't buy Christmas gifts – in Ziarul Financiar

TUESDAY, December 7

09,00 hours Protection of Pharmaceutical Products under the European Patent Convention – seminar at...

The Cluj county Consumer Protection has applied a RON 100,000 (around EUR 23,000) fine to BCR and has asked for the suspension of lending after the bank has included the risk commission in the administration commission, although this has been forbidden by the Ordinance 50/2010.

French sports retailer Decathlon will open its fifth store in Romania, within Grand Arena Mall in Bucharest. The new store will cover 5,550 sqm.

Meteorologists on Friday issued a code yellow snow storm advisory for 14 counties in eastern and southeastern Romania, valid Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning. According to meteorologists, snow and blizzard will occur in Moldova (E), the eastern part of Muntenia (S), Dobrogea (S-E) and the Eastern Carpathians.

Romania is a rich country when it comes to traditions and superstitions. Modern Romanians only keep a few of them, but more of the local traditions can be discovered in the countryside, in remote areas of the country. Romania-Insider.com presents some of the winter traditions and customs in Romania that you are likely to witness during December, if you spend your holidays in the country. If you learned of a custom and you'd like to share, drop us an e-mail at editor@romania-insider.com.

*Consumption survives after VAT increase and drop in salaries – in Ziarul Financiar
*Medicover plans to double sales and add 500 employees – in Ziarul Financiar
*Owner of AFI Palace Cotroceni delays Warsaw stock exchange listing – in Ziarul Financiar
*The second management change in Ford Romania in less than two months – in Ziarul Financiar

Swedish security solutions provider Securitas has bought Romanian sector firm Cobra Security for an enterprise value of EUR 3.2 million from Romanian company UTI, owned by Tiberiu Urdareanu. Cobra, with a staff of more than 1,000 people and annual sales of nearly EUR 4.2 million, provides guarding and monitoring services, reads Securitas' statement.

Romanians celebrate Saint Nicolae (Nicholas) on December 6, when over 800,000 people also celebrate their name day. Nicolae, Nicu, Nicoleta, Niculina are the most common names of Romanian people who celebrate their name day on St. Nicholas.

Romania’s Transport Ministry will launch EU-funded projects worth EUR 5.57 billion by the end of next year, among which the construction of 289 kilometers of highway and the upgrade of 166 kilometers of railway, Transport Minister Anca Boagiu said Sunday.

*Nicolae Danila, the wealthiest Romanian banker, has EUR 21 million in liquid assets. How he hedges against risk: has accounts with 15 banks – in Ziarul Financiar
*BCR lost EUR 120 million from clients who refinanced loans with other banks – in Ziarul Financiar
*Deutsche Telekom will invest EUR 1 billion in South Eastern Europe – in Ziarul Financiar
*One in three Romanians won't buy Christmas gifts – in Ziarul Financiar

TUESDAY, December 7

09,00 hours Protection of Pharmaceutical Products under the European Patent Convention – seminar at...

The Cluj county Consumer Protection has applied a RON 100,000 (around EUR 23,000) fine to BCR and has asked for the suspension of lending after the bank has included the risk commission in the administration commission, although this has been forbidden by the Ordinance 50/2010.

French sports retailer Decathlon will open its fifth store in Romania, within Grand Arena Mall in Bucharest. The new store will cover 5,550 sqm.

Meteorologists on Friday issued a code yellow snow storm advisory for 14 counties in eastern and southeastern Romania, valid Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning. According to meteorologists, snow and blizzard will occur in Moldova (E), the eastern part of Muntenia (S), Dobrogea (S-E) and the Eastern Carpathians.

Romania is a rich country when it comes to traditions and superstitions. Modern Romanians only keep a few of them, but more of the local traditions can be discovered in the countryside, in remote areas of the country. Romania-Insider.com presents some of the winter traditions and customs in Romania that you are likely to witness during December, if you spend your holidays in the country. If you learned of a custom and you'd like to share, drop us an e-mail at editor@romania-insider.com.

*Consumption survives after VAT increase and drop in salaries – in Ziarul Financiar
*Medicover plans to double sales and add 500 employees – in Ziarul Financiar
*Owner of AFI Palace Cotroceni delays Warsaw stock exchange listing – in Ziarul Financiar
*The second management change in Ford Romania in less than two months – in Ziarul Financiar

Swedish security solutions provider Securitas has bought Romanian sector firm Cobra Security for an enterprise value of EUR 3.2 million from Romanian company UTI, owned by Tiberiu Urdareanu. Cobra, with a staff of more than 1,000 people and annual sales of nearly EUR 4.2 million, provides guarding and monitoring services, reads Securitas' statement.