Eurostat: Romania’s exchange deficit with Russia grows to bln. 2.719 euros

Romania’s exports to Russia grew from 97 million euros in 2000 to 610 million euros in 2008, while the imports grew from 1.218 to 3.329 billion euros, say data of the Statistical Office of the European Communities (EUROSTAT), according to Ziarul Financiarul. Thus, Romania’s exchange deficit with Russia grew 2.4 times from 1.121 billion euros in 2000 to 2.7 19 billion euros, last year, ranking 11th among the EU countries.

The European Union’s exchange deficit with Russia totaled 68 billion euros in 2008 overall, up from 41 billion euros in 2000.

IBM opens global IT solution sourcing centre in Brasov

IBM has opened a global IT solution sourcing centre in Brasov which is a subsidiary of an older one in Bucharest, HotNews informs. Eighty people will work at the Brasov IMB centre for customers in German-speaking countries active in sectors such as automotive and insurance. IBM says it will continue expansion in Romania and, although the company officials have not mentioned the current number of staff in Romania, informal data suggests over 1,000. The Brasov-based IT solutions sourcing centre will eventually have 80 employees, but no information is yet available from the company officials as to when the target will be reached or how many employees there are currently. Services such as software maintenance, software development and testing are offered by the Brasov centre. The first customer of the new IMB centre is BMW who buys engineering support solutions.

ArcelorMittal Galati to close coke-chemical plant

Last month’s decision by the management at Arcellor-Mittal Galati to close the coke-chemical plant was validated yesterday by the vote of the company’s general assembly, Antena3.ro reports. The Trade Registry Office will be informed about the decision within 15 days, which will then be published in order for operational stoppage procedures to be launched at the coke-chemical factory.

Roughly 150 steelworkers with Arcellor-Mittal picketed the government building and Cotroceni Palace Wednesday, demanding state involvement in retooling investments by the plant. Employees will start a ‘social uprising’ unless the state takes measures for the siderurgy sector, Gheorghe Tiber, leader of the ‘Solidaritatea Mittal’ trade union, said.

Over EUR 355.4 M transferred to private pension funds

Around EUR 26.9 M were transferred yesterday, in the 13th round of contributions to the compulsory private pension funds (pylon II of pensions), after a year ago, on May 20, the employers had made the first transfers in the system, CSSPP, arbiter of the private pension market, announced yesterday, quoting the data of the National Pension House (CNPAS), HotNews informs. According to these data, over EUR 355.4 M were transferred to the compulsory private pension funds during May 2008 – May 2009.

CNPAS data show that on Wednesday the privately managed pension funds received contributions of over RON 112.7 M (EUR 26.9 M), for over 3.41 million participants.

PM makes new appointments

Premier Emil Boc signed a decision for appointing Mircea Ioan Pavelescu as vice-president of the State Assets Resolution Authority (AVAS), Agerpres reports. Pavelescu will replace Ioan Nani, who was released from office through a PM’s decision published yesterday in the Official Gazette. The premier also appointed Corneliu Ceica as vice-president, with rank of state undersecretary, at the Sanitary, Veterinary and Food Safety National Authority, thus replacing Mihai Puia.

Changes also targeted the Energy Regulatory National Authority (ANRE), where Eugen Georgescu will act as vice-president, instead of Horia-Marius Calimiente, who got revoked from position. The prime minister also signed on Monday a decision that suspends Andrei-Barbu Todea from the public position of government inspector.