Romanian government approves draft 2019 budget with 2.55 pct of GDP deficit

Sorin Melenciuc 08/02/2019 | 16:22

The Romanian government has approved on Friday the draft 2019 budget projecting a public deficit of 2.55 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) this year, according to the Finance minister Eugen Teodorovici.

The government has set to its tax agency (ANAF) a target of collected revenues of 30 percent of GDP.

“ANAF has to collect to the budget 30 percent of GDP, this is ANAF’s objective for 2019. ANAF will have a lot of work to do. They will have my support,” Teodorovici said.

The government estimates Romania’s GDP will grow by 5.5 percent in 2019 up to RON 1.022.5 billion (EUR 218.9 billion), or EUR 11,306 per inhabitant, from EUR 204.1 billion (EUR 10,476 /inhabitant) in 2018.

But many analysts expect a slowdown of economic growth rate in 2019 to maximum 3 percent following the introduction of new taxes on banks, energy and telecom firms.

According to the government, the inflation will slow down to 2.8 percent at the end of this year, from 3.3 percent in December 2018.

The government forecasts an exchange rate annual average of 4.67 in 2019. At this moment, the reference exchange rate is close to RON 4.75/EUR, following a steep depreciation of the Romanian currency.

The average net monthly earnings of Romanian employees will reach RON 3,085 (EUR 661) in 2019, up 14.9 percent in nominal terms (and 11.8 percent in real terms) compared with 2019, according to the government.

This week, Fitch Ratings, which still maintain Romania’a rating on the last notch in the investment grade area, said that the draft 2019 budget is based on optimistic assumptions, while the new taxes could hit the business environment, investment and economic growth.

Fitch is skeptical that the 2.6 percent target will be achieved, given the government’s optimistic growth and revenue assumptions.

The draft budget projects expenditure to grow by 13.4 percent, but specific new revenue raising measures in the budget are only worth around a net RON 3.3 billion (0.3 percent of GDP).

BR Magazine | Latest Issue

Download PDF: Business Review Magazine March (II) 2024 Issue

The March (II) 2024 issue of Business Review Magazine is now available in digital format, featuring the main cover story titled “BAT DBS Romania Hub: A Vibrant New Office For An Employee-Centric
Sorin Melenciuc | 27/03/2024 | 17:32
Advertisement Advertisement
Close ×

We use cookies for keeping our website reliable and secure, personalising content and ads, providing social media features and to analyse how our website is used.

Accept & continue