August 16, 2017

Romania's GDP growth estimated at 5.8% by the NIS; Romania third in the EU in public order and security spending

Ştefan Stoica, 16.08.2017, 13:43

GDP — The Romanian economy grew by 5.8% in the first half of the year, according to estimates issued Wednesday by the National Institute of Statistics. The highest growth, 5.9%, was in the second quarter, after a growth of 5.7% in the first quarter, as a result of higher consumption. Romania had the highest economic growth in the EU between April and June this year, according to preliminary data from the Eurostat. The European agency estimated the first and second quarter growth at 5.7%, as compared to last year. The official forecast of the Romanian government for 2017 is 5.2%, while the EU expects it to be 4.4%.

DIASPORA — The summer university for Romanians in the diaspora continues in Izvorul Muresului, attended by over 100 students, opinion leaders and members of the historic communities around the borders of Romania, as well as in the Balkans. The topics under discussion are preserving national identity and culture for Romanians who live in other countries or in areas with a different ethnic majority. The summer university is being held in anticipation of the centennial of the Great Union of Romanian territories, being celebrated next year.

GAUDEAMUS — The 100th edition of the Gaudeamus Book Fair, organized by Radio Romania, ends today in Mamaia, a major resort on the Black Sea. In its four days, the fair hosted dozens of editorial and musical events, as well as many competitions. Radio Romania had another anniversary to celebrate recently, 50 years of existence for Radio Holidays, the seaside channel of the national radio corporation, broadcasting in foreign languages, manned before 1994 by RRI editors.

SPENDING — Romania is third in the EU in terms of the percentage of GDP for public order and safety in 2015, according to data issued by the Eurostat. In total, member states have spent 258 billion Euro, 1.8% of the cumulative GDP. Bulgaria and Slovakia take first and second place, with 2.8% and 2.4% respectively. Denmark and Luxembourg take the last two places, with 1% of the GDP each allocated for public order and safety. The classification changes if it is based on per capita spending, with the first three places taken by Luxembourg, UK and Holland. Bulgaria and Romania come in last.

FOOTBALL – Romanias vice-champions in football, FCSB, tied nil — all against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday, away from home, in the first leg of the play-offs to qualify to the Champions League groups. The second leg is in Bucharest on 23rd of August. Even if they fail to qualify, FCSB have a place already set aside in the Europa League. On Thursday, champions FC Viitorul play at home against the Austrians of Red Bull Salzburg for a place in the Europa League .

TENNIS — Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, the second in the world, qualified to the eighth finals of the WTA tournament in Cincinnati, the US, with prize money totaling over 2.5 million dollars. She defeated American Taylor Townsend in two sets. Next, Halep will meet Roberta Vinci of Italy and Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia. Halep lost in the 2015 finals in Cincinnati to Serena Williams, while last year she was defeated in the semi-finals by Angelique Kerber. Three Romanians are in the womens doubles competition, Irina Begu, Raluca Olaru and Monica Niculescu, while Horia Tecau is in the mens doubles.