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Dan Suciu, the NBR spokesman, spoke about Romania’s economic situation and the current energy crisis.
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“It is clear that a prolongation of the energy crisis with huge bills for companies can lead to a significant increase in the number of companies closing their doors. This is what we emphasize and what, from now on, we must avoid together with the Government and the responsible factors. I would not like to go down a line of advice or direction for government action because things are well defined here. government, whatever it is, and the monetary policies that the National Bank manages.
For the success of a stable economic situation, we are talking about a mix of fiscal and monetary policies. We emphasize this in each of our statements because in terms of the inflation index that worried us all – of 6.3% the last index related to September – almost 4 percent of this index comes as a result of energy prices. If we look at the other component of 2% and something, on which the monetary policies of the NBR can have effects through the decisions taken by the bank, it is a relatively small figure in the inflation horizon that the central part has. Those almost 4 percent that come from energy are almost intangible in terms of monetary policy and then it is obvious that we have to look at other instruments to have effects on them. Let’s not forget that it is a global energy crisis and with these prices it is very difficult to operate when we are talking about significant external influences “, said Dan Suciu, on Antena 3.
Payment of electricity and gas bills could be delayed
The reunited economic commissions unanimously voted on Monday several amendments brought to GEO 118/2021 regarding the compensation of energy bills. Among the amendments proposed by PSD was the possibility of postponing the payment of bills for vulnerable consumers by six months. At the same time, the suppliers’ profit was capped at a maximum of 5% in relation to the supply costs.
The amendments brought by PNL provided for the increase of the amounts paid from the state budget on account of the invoices and the price cap – for domestic consumers, as well as the exemption from payment of green certificates, cogeneration contribution and excise and reduction of VAT – for non- housewives. Among the changes are the overtaxation of 80% of electricity producers, but also the capping at 5% of costs of suppliers’ profits.
This article is an opinion.
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