Press review - October 13, 2017

10.13.2017 By Oana Gavrila

Coalition Leaders Meet Friday on Govt Reshuffle

Leaders of Romania's ruling coalition meet Friday morning to discuss a government reshuffle after at least two ministers are set to resign amid corruption allegations.

Deputy prime minister Sevil Shhaideh and minister in charge of EU funds Rovana Plumb are investigated by anticorruption prosecutors for abuse of office in a land transfer case.

A third minister, Viorel Ilie, in charge of the government's liaison with parliament, is also targeted by an anticorruption investigation for allegedly rigging a job contest at the ministry.

Prime Minister Mihai Tudose announced he also planned to dismiss transport minister Razvan Cuc. 

Romania Industrial Output Grows Nearly 9% in Jan-Aug

Romania's seasonally adjusted industrial output grew 8.9% in January-August compared with the same period last year, data from the country's statistics board showed.

Manufacturing grew 9.1% on the year in the first eight months, mining output grew 4.3%, and the utilities sector grew 2.2%.

In unadjusted terms, the country's industrial output grew 8.2% on the year in the first eight months, the data showed.

Telecom Watchdog Appoints New VPs

Eduard Lucian Lovin and Bogdan Cristian Iana have been appointed vice-presidents to Romania's telecom regulator (ANCOM) by parliament decision.

They have been appointed for six-year terms.

Ford Launches New Model into Production

Carmaker Ford on Thursday launched its EcoSport model into large-scale production at its car factory in Craiova, southern Romania.

The launch event was attended by president Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Mihai Tudose.

Ford Romania CEO John Oldham said the factory in Craiova will be the sole producer for the EcoSport model that will be sold on European markets.

Special Dividends from State Companies Drove Interbank Rates Up

Interbank rates grew because the government drew special dividends from state companies, Dragos Popescu, main arbitrage expert at the central bank, said Thursday in an opinion piece.

Dividends paid in advance lowered liquidity on the money market, driving interbank interest rates upwards.