The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, sent a message on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, on the occasion of the 31st edition of the National Top of Private Companies in Romania. The message was presented by Cosmin Marinescu, Presidential Advisor – Department of Economic and Social Policies, during the event organized at the Romanian Athenaeum by the National Council of Small and Medium Private Enterprises in Romania.
Here is the text of the message:
Mr. President of the National Council of Small and Medium Private Enterprises in Romania,
Mr. President of the Senate,
Mr. Prime Minister,
Ladies and Gentlemen Ministers,
Dear representatives of the business environment,
distinguished guests,
I congratulate the National Council of Small and Medium Private Enterprises and all entrepreneurs in Romania, whose results we enjoy every year on the occasion of this event. Your work and performance are extremely important to our economic development.
Against the backdrop of the uncertainties of recent years, your efforts are all the more relevant and deserve appreciation and support. You have made a significant contribution to the post-pandemic recovery through your sustained engagement.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Currently, the geopolitical current is marked by a new armed conflict in the Middle East, superimposed on the ongoing one in our neighborhood. The risks to the economy, already weakened by multiple crises, are thus intensified.
This context induces increased probabilities that global economic dynamics will slow down even more, and recessionary symptoms will accentuate budgetary and social problems, with increased risks in terms of sustainability.
Romania will continue to register sustained economic growth, well above the European Union average this year. Financially, after the stagnation of inflation in August, the disinflationary trend continues by lowering inflation below 9% starting in September.
In this regard, I am aware of the concerns of the business community, especially as many small and medium-sized entrepreneurs are concerned about the burden of inflation. I also know that the recently adopted fiscal measures were not exactly well received by the business community.
However, I trust that the Government will take into account the necessary adjustments, where they are required, and will adopt measures to keep Romania competitive in fiscal terms, in order to continue to attract productive investments, for the benefit of our economy.
The consolidation of public finances, fiscal compliance and increased collection of revenues to the state budget, the performance of the administrative apparatus and the efficiency of public services represent essential conditions of a modern, European-type state, as we want the Romanian state to be.
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 healthy and sustainable policies, imposed by the shortcomings and budgetary imbalances accumulated in the past.
We must all be realistic that the multiple crises have accentuated the structural vulnerabilities of our budget and economy. In these times, the limits of an economic policy model focused more on consumption, and not on investments, oriented more on the short term than the long term, can be seen more clearly.
Dear guests,
Romania is in full process of implementing the reforms and investments included in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Many of the long-delayed measures have become imperatively necessary today, not only as commitments, but also as opportunities to modernize our administration and economy.
The reforms and investments foreseen in the PNRR will lead to a more efficient administration, closer to the taxpayer, and to important progress in areas such as transport infrastructure, the energy system, education, health and good governance.
That is why the absorption of European funds is an essential national objective, because European funds have a key role in supporting Romania’s economic growth. We already have the experience of two programming periods and enough untapped potential in competitive sectors such as agri-business, IT&C, the petrochemical industry or tourism.
Despite the many opportunities, we have still noticed a decrease in the number of small and medium-sized entrepreneurs who intend to access structural funds. That’s why I encourage you to look at European funds as the cheapest source of financing your business!
In this sense, the Government, together with the local authorities, must take all the necessary steps to facilitate the absorption of the European funds available for the business environment. And you, the representatives of the SMEs, to continuously urge the entrepreneurs to the programs with European funding, in the interest of small and medium-sized businesses in Romania.
Also, employers are particularly concerned about the situation of professional qualifications on the labor market. I believe that this problem must be seen as an integral part of an educational policy of a strategic nature for our economy.
In this sense, the state authorities and the entrepreneurial environment can together identify measures to prepare and attract qualified human resources. Your involvement in the training of young people is decisive for the functioning of a dynamic and competitive labor market in Romania.
That is why it is essential to intensify the dialogue between the authorities and the business environment, on topics with wide implications for the economy and the labor market, such as supporting the return of Romanians to the country or finding appropriate answers to the challenges of demographic decline.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am convinced that every anniversary is also a welcome moment of reflection on the lessons learned, but also on the goals assumed.
I send congratulations to everyone and I trust that you will continue on the chosen path, while promoting the business community among young people, but also open communication and permanent dialogue with the state authorities.
2023-11-01 16:32:10
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