Highlights
CDR Updates: Coaliția pentru Dezvoltarea României (CDR) has embarked into a transformation process aimed at refocusing its agenda on high level strategic matters impacting the economy and the private sector, as well as at simplifying operations and streamlining resources committed by member associations.
CDR will continue to work on common objectives, being an alignment forum among business associations on major issues, while technical work will be done at the level of member organizations.
AmCham is a member of the CDR Steering Committee and co-chairs with FIC the Macroeconomic stability and sustainability stream starting Jan 2022.
Recent Initiatives
CALL FOR FEEDBACK
AmCham members are invited to fill in the survey regarding the challenges for the IT&C sector in Romania and the priorities for digital transformation. The initiative is led by the Digital Economy Committee and collected data, in an aggregated form, will be used to calibrate our advocacy agenda & substantiate our policy recommendations for 2022.
AMCHAM ROMANIA MEETINGS WITH GOVT. OFFICIALS:
Jan 26: AmCham Board Meeting with the Minister of Economy, Florin Spătaru
On Jan 26, members of the AmCham Board of Directors had an introductory meeting with Minister of Economy, Florin Spătaru, to share AmCham’s main priorities on the economic agenda.
AmCham members highlighted recommendations focused on:
- Development of the capital market, listing and improving corporate governance of SEOs.
- Consumer protection framework.
- Attracting FDI high added value investments and RDI; nearshoring state-aid scheme, addressing workforce shortage.
- Industrial policy & circular economy.
- Fiscal policy.
Minister Spătaru, accompanied by State Secretary Mihai Macaveiu, Secretary-General Elena Petrașcu and other Ministry representatives, outlined the main priorities of the Ministry:
- Industrial policies – portrayed as key to Romania’s economic development, specific references made to digitalization, innovation, automation, energy sustainability. The Ministry aims to have an evaluation of industrial policies with potential to drive RO's competitiveness and support their development with an adequate financial plan.
- Non-energy minerals – a mapping of resources is aimed to support the drafting of the National Geological Plan and of the methodological norms for the Mining Law.
- Defense industry – the development of infrastructure is essential to support the delivery of the National Defense Strategy.
- State-owned companies – the normalization of SOEs is a priority in order to provide predictability and clear development directions.
- Transposition of EU Directives – a calendar for the transposition of EU Directives for which the Ministry is responsible will be assumed in the coming period. The Minister ensured that timely consultations will be organized with stakeholders, including the private sector to ensure a balanced and transparent process.
Minister Spătaru expressed his openness for continuing the dialogue with AmCham and his intention to turn the Ministry of Economy into a real partner for the economy at large – both public and private operators – and a key enabler of coherent economic policies.
>> Ministry of Economy Press info on the meeting with AmCham Romania representatives
Recent AmCham Romania meetings with Govt officials include:
- Jan 25 Introductory Meeting the Minister of Environment Barna Tánczos
- Jan 17 Meeting with VPM and Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Sorin Grindeanu
- Jan 27 Meeting with the Ministry of Economy and the National Protection Consumers Authority regarding the latest changes proposed in the Draft Ordinance transposing the New Deal for Consumers Directive.
- On Feb 1 the AmCham Digital Economy Committee hosted a meeting with representatives from the Cluj-Napoca City Hall regarding the digital transformation of local public administration, in line with the Strategy recently approved by the City Council. The dialogue was an opportunity for AmCham members to share best practices and recommendations for supporting the digitalization efforts at local level.
- Feb 1 Meeting with representatives of the Finance Ministry in order to discuss the recent changes mentioned in the GO 807/2014, especially aspects regarding the situation of application windows and the minimum amount on which companies could apply for state aid.
Upcoming Initiatives
Events & Meetings with Stakeholders
- On Feb 3, the AmCham Digital Economy Committee will organize a meeting Mr. Sabin Sărmaș, President of the IT&C Committee in the Chamber of Deputies, for a discussion regarding the priorities of the legislative agenda on IT&C and digital transformation.
On Feb 3, a delegation of AmCham’s Capital Markets & Financial Services Committee will meet with the Authority of Financial Supervision to further explain and substantiate AmCham’s amendments on Regulation 5/2019
Feb 4: PNRR at a Glance – AmCham is pleased to invite members to a seminar about the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP/PNRR). The aim of the event is to offer members with a better understanding about the business opportunities and potential for business growth provided by the NRRP. The discussions will focus on the commitments and budget allocations under the NPRR and will zoom into the 6 pillars of the Plan, with a focus on the components that are most relevant for the business environment in general and the AmCham community in particular. Registration & details are available here.
On Feb 8, for the first edition of the AmCham CEO Forum in 2022, AmCham invited PM Nicolae Ciucă to share the key priorities on Govt’ agenda and to learn from AmCham members what are the main concerns, challenges and recommendations in terms of business and economic development. Participation by invitation only, limited to CEO reps (one person/member company). For details, contact us at amcham@amcham.ro.
- On Feb 10, AmCham launches the Governance Hour series, an initiative of the AmCham Corporate Governance Committee. The first session organized in partnership with Envisia, focuses on the contribution and impact of Board of Directors and Board members. Sign up here to join the Feb 10 session, between 10:30 – 11:3 a
Advocacy Initiatives (position papers, public consultations)
- Environment: The Committee is collecting feedback for a survey developed by the Ministry of Environment regarding the procedure for issuing the environmental permit. Inputs are welcome by Feb 3, EOB, and a technical WG meeting will take place on Feb 4, 11:00. If you wish to involve, please contact the Committee Coordinator (rmanea@amcham.ro).
- Energy: The Committee is collecting inputs on the provisions that require clarification in OUG 118/2021 and OUG 3/2022 regarding the compensation and capping schemes for electricity and natural gas consumption. Contributions are welcome by Feb 3, EOB. If you wish to involve, please contact the Committee Coordinator (rmanea@amcham.ro)
- Energy & Taxation: The Committees will draft a letter to request clarifications on the unclear application of the over-taxation of the revenues of renewable energy producers. Once prepared, the draft will be circulated with the two Committees. For details, please contact the Committee Coordinator (rmanea@amcham.ro)
- Taxation: The Taxation Committee is currently running the second edition of APA/SFIA/MAP survey. If you wish to contribute, please fill in the survey no later than February 4th, 2022. For details, please contact Committee coordinator amciobanu@amcham.ro
- Taxation: AmCham members are invited to populate, based on their hands-on experience, a centralizer of issues which occur during or following tax inspections. The purpose is to gather a comprehensive inventory of concerns, accompanied by solutions/recommendations. The resulting document will be sent to the ANAF President in preparation of an AmCham event. Deadline: February 4th, 2022; For details, please contact Committee coordinator amciobanu@amcham.ro.
Taxation: AmCham received some concerns from members related to the illegal trade of hydrofluorocarbons and tobacco coming through customs. The Tax Committee is running a call to assess whether there are other industries affected by such illegal commercial disruptions. If you are aware of such practices, please signal them to Committee coordinator amciobanu@amcham.ro.
Capital Markets & Financial Services: On March 2nd, the committee will organize the spring edition of the Youth Financial Education Seminar, in partnership with Junior Achievement. The webinar will focus on the operating mechanisms of the stock exchange.
Updates from the U.S. Chamber/AmCham Network
