The number of new companies registered in Romania declined by 20% year-on-year in the first ten months of this year, reaching the lowest level since 2008, according to data from the National Trade Registry’s Office – ONRC.

In total, 88,000 companies and individuals registered for business in Romania in the first 10 months.

The biggest drop was in agriculture, where 83% fewer businesses were registered, then in energy production and supply – down 81%, mining – 39% and financial brokerage – down 31%. However, there was an increase in new businesses registered in education – up by 18%, IT and communications – up by 9% and trading (both retail and wholesale) – up by 5%.

In Bucharest, the number of new companies registered in the first ten months was close to 15,600, 4% lower compared to the same period of 2013, but in Ilfov county, which covers the area surrounding Bucharest, the number of new companies actually grew by 3.6%, to more than 3,500.

However, seven counties registered more than 40% drops in new company registries. Bistrita-Nasaud, in Transylvania, had 56% less companies registered in the first ten months.

editor@romania-insider.com