The car industry, a pillar of the Romanian economy

The car industry is one of the pillars underlying the development of the Romanian economy, and this sector was the engine behind Romania's coming out of recession, said the Romanian PM Viorica Dancila at the 2019 Car Industry Forum hosted by Craiova, southwestern Romania. According to the PM, the car industry means products exported with high added value, both in Romania and the entire Europe, which is essential for economic competitiveness, and it also creates stable jobs and a better life for the citizens. The government will continue to support the development of the Romanian car industry by means of new projects, PM Dancila went on to say. She admitted that the most stringent issue facing the car industry is the lack of motorways. She announced that the legislation was changed so as to reduce the construction deadlines and to develop the infrastructure, including through public-private partnership. Viorica Dancila:

"Most difficulties came from the prolix legislation with its complicated procedures that generated unpermitted delays on projects that were much awaited by the citizens and the business environment. The government looked at the causes and changed the Law on public procurement and that on public private partnership, in order to unblock important projects."

The PM announced that one of the issues discussed with the Ford officials was related to the solutions identified by the government to speed up major investments in infrastructure. According to the PM, the new investment projects of the American company were a sign of trust in the Romanian economy and a premise for the development of the entire region. Viorica Dancila:

"The fact that the Romanian car industry has reported constant growth in recent years and that in 2018 it registered a record car production proves that we are on the right track and that Romania provides good conditions for the business environment."

The PM added that the Romanian government was firmly committed to continuing to develop policies and projects meant to support the car parts and car manufacturing industries. At the same time, the government wants to grant support by means of state aid schemes and by encouraging the purchase of new, non-polluting cars. At the car forum in Craiova, the American carmaker Ford announced it would invest another 200 million euros in the factory there, with the aim of increasing production to 250,000 cars annually. According to Ford officials, the company turned the factory in Romania into one of the most modern such factories in Europe and became the second largest exporter in the country. The president of Ford Romania, Ian Pearson, stated that ever since they took over the factory in Craiova, they have made investments of almost 1.3 billion euros. The company will hire another 1,700 people by the end of the year to reach a total number of 6,200 employees.