The Government will build a stable and predictable economic and legislative climate for the business environment, said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, stressing that bringing key notions such as Economic Patriotism at the heart of the government programme was also inspired by the actions of the French state – the Economic Recovery Programme or the concept of strategic autonomy, write Agerpres.
The head of the Executive attended the official opening of the „Together for Europe. Stronger, greener and safer” French-Romanian Business Forum.
„Organising this economic forum is a huge opportunity for me and the new Government and an illustration of the importance of the strategic partnership between Romania and France. We can present our vision for the country’s economic development to large investors, such as major French companies with major projects in Romania. It is a very efficient format, which allows ministers to have a direct dialogue with important economic actors. In the last two years, with all these successive crises, I have often looked with admiration and envy at the way France supports its great national industry. And when we put key notions such as Economic Patriotism at the heart of our government programme, we also took inspiration from the actions of the French state, the Economic Recovery Programme or the concept of strategic autonomy,” said Marcel Ciolacu.
He pointed out that Romania can only achieve sustainable economic growth through a model based on massive public investment in infrastructure, energy and industry, especially agri-food.
„And here, our main effort will be to consolidate value chains. On Friday, we approved in the Government a multiannual scheme of 600 million euros for processing in the agri-food industry. Similar schemes will follow in the area of construction materials and green energies,” added Ciolacu.
The Prime Minister stressed that the Executive’s ambition is to support small and medium Romanian enterprises, which will become solid elements in value chains capable of producing economic multiplier effects at regional level.
Ciolacu also referred to the importance of accelerated digitisation of large public infrastructures.
„We must somehow overcome this paradox in which Romania is seen internationally as a kind of Silicon Valley of Europe, but we, as a state, do not transfer this enormous potential to the administration,” said Ciolacu.
He also highlighted the objectives related to the implementation of the National Resilience and Recovery Plan (PNRR) and the accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), underlining, in this context, the role of large French corporations.
„I know that the talent shortage is a problem in all European economies, and here I have to acknowledge the essential role of large French corporations. Centres of excellence such as Dacia Renault, and beyond, are strategic pillars of stability to keep great talent in our country. For this, I thank French investors, whom I guarantee that the current government will build a stable and predictable economic and legislative climate. Equally, I thank France for its important support for the accession to the OECD. It is an essential effort to increase Romania’s attractiveness to foreign investors. And the timing of OECD accession is, like the implementation of the PNRR, the toughest but healthiest test for the whole administration and economy of the country. I am convinced that France, our strategic partner, will continue to support us, as it has always done when Romania has needed it, and history proves it. That is why, with all my heart, I thank you very much – and not only in Romanian,” said Ciolacu.
