Press Review - December 23, 2015

12.23.2015 By Gabriela Stan

Carrefour, Rewe Seal Deal For Takeover Of Billa Romania

French-held retailer Carrefour has signed an agreement with German retail group Rewe for the acquisition of supermarket chain Billa Romania, thus Carrefour will become the leading supermarket operator in Romania.

Billa Romania has a network of 86 supermarkets countrywide, with a total sales area of 83,000 square meters. The transaction is subject to antitrust clearance.

Carrefour has 189 stores in Romania, of which 29 hypermarkets, 106 Market supermarkets, 43 Express convenience stores, 10 Contact convenience stores and one online store.

Carrefour Romania is part of French group Carrefour which has more than 12,000 stores in 35 countries. (Puterea)

 

Imported Russian Gas Price, Only 15% Higher Than Local Gas Price In September

The price of imported Russian gas was at $258 per thousand cubic meters, or RON93 per MWh in September, only 15% higher than the price of Romanian gas, according to a report of Romania’s energy regulator ANRE.

Nevertheless, in the past years, the price of imported gas was double compared with the price of Romanian gas. The Russian gas price is based on international oil prices, with a time lag of 6-9 months; thus gas prices on international markets fell sharply due to this year’s collapse in oil prices.

The price of imported Russian gas was 30% lower in September compared with the beginning of the year. In January, it cost $375 per thousand cubic meters, or RON136 per MWh. (Adevarul)

 

imobiliare.ro: Resita Apartments, Cheapest In Romania

Resita is located in western Romania, is a county capital city and has the cheapest apartments in Romania, namely EUR407 per square meter, according to imobiliare.ro.

Thus, a 60 sqm apartment costs EUR24,000 in Resita. Targoviste comes next in the top of Romanian cities with the cheapest apartments, with EUR500/sqm, followed by Zalau, Satu Mare, Arad and Bistrita, with prices between EUR530 and EUR556 per square meter. (Evenimentul Zilei)

 

Former PM Victor Ponta To Run For MP Seat In 2016

Former Prime Minister Victor Ponta announced he would run again for a MP seat in 2016 elections.

“If they put me on the list, I will. In 2016, I want all of us to be healthy and continue all the good things that we have done these years,” Victor Ponta stated.

Ponta added that his project will always be together with PSD Gorj organization, as they have always showed him support in electoral campaigns.

“If they want me, I want them and everybody is happy,” Ponta said. (Evenimentul Zilei)

 

PM Dacian Ciolos Names Dorin Enache Valter As Head Of Food Safety Authority

Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos has appointed Dorin Enache Valter as president of Romania’s National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA).

Valter is replacing Dumitru Balculescu, who was dismissed based on a decision of the Prime Minister. The two decisions were published in the Official Gazette.

Dorin Enache Valter has previously been executive director of Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority Brasov (DSVSA Brasov).  (Puterea)