BANK – The
\nforeign currency reserves of the National Bank of Romania were in excess of EUR
\n53 bln at the end of April, up 0.21% compared to the previous month. The gold
\nreserves stay at 103.6 tons. High forex reserves ensure investor confidence,
\nanalysts explain, adding that this was mostly due to EU fund receipts. <\/p>\n
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UNEMPLOYMENT
\n– The unemployment rate in Romania dropped slightly, from 5.5% in February to
\n5.4% in March, but unemployment among youth remains high, at 22.2%, the
\nNational Statistics Institute reports. The number of people between the ages of
\n15 and 74 receiving unemployment benefits in March was over 453,000, a decrease
\ncompared both to the previous month of this year and to the corresponding
\nperiod in 2022. Among men, the rate was 5.8%, whereas the proportion of unemployed
\nwomen was 5%. For adults aged 25 to 74, the unemployment rate stood at 4.4%.<\/p>\n
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SOLIDARITY
\nTAX – The Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday passed a decree introducing a
\nsolidarity tax to be levied on companies operating in the field of extracting
\nand refining oil, natural gas and coal. On Tuesday, the Senate reexamined the
\nlaw, eliminating the 60% contribution from the companies’ excess profits.
\nHowever, under an amendment tabled by coalition parties, a \u20ac70 fee per ton of
\nrefined oil has been added. Companies that reported no production in the
\n2018-2021 period are exempt from this tax. The USR opposition party has
\ncriticized the law, arguing it is designed to exempt certain companies from
\npaying this tax. <\/p>\n
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MILK -
\nNearly 80% of Romanian milk processors have signed an agreement designed to
\nreduce shelf prices for this product, the Competition Council announced on
\nWednesday. The agreement has come into force at the start of May, but some
\nprice drop-offs are lower because contracts between retailers and processors
\nare still being renegotiated. Over the next 6 months, processors and traders pledged
\nto share a reduction in milk prices when shelf prices exceed \u20ac1.4, which could
\nprompt a 20% drop in prices. <\/p>\n
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INCIDENT
\n– Eight children and a security guard are dead after a shooting in a school in
\nBelgrade. According to local police, a 14-year-old student has been arrested in
\nconnection to the attack. The incident caused a public shock in Serbia, where
\ndespite the large number of gun permits, shootings are very rare and have never
\nbefore occurred in schools. The authorities have decreed a three-day national
\nmourning in memory of the victims. <\/p>\n
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GRAIN – The
\nEuropean Commission announced exceptional and temporary measures on imports of
\na limited number of products from Ukraine. They concern only 4 products-wheat,
\nmaize, rapeseed and sunflower seed-and are designed to alleviate logistical bottlenecks
\nconcerning these products in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
\nMeanwhile, Romania will receive an additional EUR 30 bln to support farmers
\naffected by the cheap grains imports from Ukraine. Stay tuned for details after
\nthe news.<\/p>\n
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CORONATION
\n– Margareta, Custodian of the Crown of Romania, and the Prince Consort, will
\ntake part on Saturday in the coronation of King Charles III of the United
\nKingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Royal House of Romania
\nannounced on Wednesday in a Facebook post. In the 157 years of existence of the
\nRoyal House of Romania, the connection with the British royal family has been
\nsteady, based on admiration, respect and affection, both in its official
\ndimension, representing the two nations, and in its private, family aspect,
\nreads the post. The Royal House adds that this reliable relationship has
\nspanned the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries and
\nfive generations.<\/p>\n
\n
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(AMP & VP)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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