CFR Freight at the crossroads

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Transportation Minister Relu Fenechiu vows to convince the IMF not to privatize the railway company. At the same time, the ministry could invest over EUR 3 bln in 2013, the sum including EU funds.

The Transportation Ministry could invest over EUR 3 bln this year, the sum including EU funds, Transportation Minister Relu Fenechiu stated, Mediafax informs. “We will talk after the budget is approved,” the minister stated. He added that transportations should be seen as the aggregate of all traffic routes and Romania will register the biggest profit when Constanta will be linked to Europe. Fenechiu added that he will deal with the railway corridor since road corridor IV is no longer among the Transportation Ministry’s prerogatives. Concerning the transportation operational programme (POS-T), the official stated that the funds are currently frozen only when it comes to road transportation, but he hopes the programme will be fully restarted in the first quarter of this year.At the same time, Transportation Minister Relu Fenechiu stated that he will try to convince the IMF representatives to agree with no longer privatizing CFR Freight. “At a time when all countries are forming their own freight transportation companies we are selling ours. But it’s a commitment Mr. Basescu (President Traian Basescu – editor’s note) took before the IMF, and the commitments taken before the IMF have to be respected. I will try to convince the IMF that we shouldn’t sell CFR Freight, if I can. If not I will observe the commitments, naturally,” Fenechiu stated for Mediafax. Asked what companies under the ministry’s control will be privatized, the minister did not nominate any, stating that since he took over the ministry he has had talks with several consultants and the decisions will be taken after “thorough analyses.” “I don’t know how in God’s name is the state selling businesses only when they are broke, meaning the state ends up making less money when selling them. I want to try to lead the ministry as I would lead my own company,” Fenechiu added. On the other hand, the Transportation Ministry is restarting procedures to list on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) 5-per-cent packages from the shares it owns in eight companies that are part of its portfolio, an operation that was stopped in mid-2010 because of the financial crisis.

Commitment: Private managers within 90 days after Gov’t decision

Transportation Minister Relu Fenechiu will take the commitment, before IMF representatives, to finalize the selection of private managers for companies under the ministry’s control within 90 days after the government decision on the working of the institution he leads will be published. He pointed out that the 90-day deadline will start when the government decision on the institution’s working will be published. The draft decision could be approved next week. The minister added that he prefers the term “professional management” and that he “hopes from all his heart” that the selection will end much sooner.

Tourism Railway Company to be closed down

Transportation Minister Relu Fenechiu stated that the ministry he leads has pointless institutions under its control, institutions such as the Tourism Railway Company that worked “in order to satisfy the whims and pleasures of some leaders” and that will be closed down after its assets are appraised and sold. Fenechiu pointed out that the assets of the Tourism Railway Company will be appraised, sold and then the company will be closed down. “I prepared the ordinance for the hospitals. 13 of the 15 hospitals will be ceded to the Health Ministry. I want everyone to clearly understand: no doctor will be fired, none of their salaries will be cut, their boss will simply change,” the minister added.