Comparing Iohannis and Ponta’s agendas on business and economy

In less then a week Romanians will return to the voting booths for the second round vote in this year’s presidential election. Business Review compares the two remaining presidential candidates policies when it comes to the economy, the business community and enterprise.

Economy

According to Iohannis’s political program, economical prosperity can only be the mark of liberalism and a free economy. The liberal leader’s economic program is based on
– guaranteeing the right to property, given that the right to property is a vital institution for freedom and a free market;
– economy freedom, supporting private initiative and creating the environment that supports fair competition;
– competitive industry and modern agriculture, so that Romanians have jobs that are stable and properly compensated;
– protecting the national wealth by making of the most of natural resources without damaging rural communities;

Liberalism and right-oriented economic policies will help develop the middle class, the backbone of any nation and the most eloquent example of prosperity. Iohannis’s regime will strive to reduce deficits and avoid introducing taxes, even in times of crisis.

Developing the stock market is another strategic direction for the liberal model of development, one meant to mobilize investors so they can easily access the local market.

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Iohannis believes that returning to a VAT of 19 percent is an absolute priority.

According to Victor Ponta, Romania must focus on improving the conditions in areas deeply affected by poverty. Economic growth must help reduce the differences between the reach and the poor. According to his economic program, Ponta believes that Romania can become “the economic leader in Eastern Europe” if economic growth continues in an environment free of austerity.

Main strategic directions:
– Entering the Eurozone in the next five years;
– Total energy independence in the next five years and assuming the mantle of a regional energy leader;
– Great projects to invest in infrastructure (mainly highways);
– A responsible strategy for exploiting national resources;
– Continuing the National Investment Plan by stimulating high-value investments, especially the ones that add jobs and social value in the areas they target;
– Greenfield investments for stimulating job creation, exports and boosting productivity through technological transfer.

Agriculture

For Klaus Iohannism it is vital to transform agriculture in an engine for economic growth, by creating jobs for people living in the rural environment and by sustaining performance for local farmers. Cadaster work must be performed quickly to boost performance. Small farms must transform themselves into profitable enterprises and stop existing only as an informal means of social protection.

The state must support, through all the tools at its disposal – fiscal, legal, financial – major investments in agriculture, since competitiveness in this field must be based on capitalization and easy access to financing tools.

Ecological agriculture is also a priority for Iohannis, given that Romania can easily become the number 1 country in the EU through this approach. Eco-agriculture and traditional products must become trademarks of Romanian Performance.

Ponta argues that Romania can become the “Europe’s granary”, if the steps taken in the last two years are continued. Ponta also includes ecological agriculture and traditional products in his list of priorities for agriculture.

Infrastructure

“Kilometers of highway must become more than simply words on a piece of paper, they must be built, contracts have to be signed according to procedure, not in the detriment of the Romanian state and deadlines must be followed to the letter”, according to Klaus Iohannis’s program.

Victor Ponta argues that great investment projects must be guaranteed by a President which understands how to work with a Government supported by a solid parliamentary majority.