French press: in Romania corruption is institutionalized / Bribes for a public tender is somewhere between 15 to 20% of the contract value

Corruption is a sensitive problem in Romania and it affects all sectors, despite instruments offered to businessman to change the system. The pressure of the EU does not seem to have any effect in this country, French daily La Croix reads.

A few foreign investors dare to talk about the subject. A French businessman in Romania talks about his experience and says that he was oftentimes invited outside the office to be told about the local traditions.

These traditions are actually bribes requested by public servants who are in charge of the files. Companies who refuse it do not go very far, the French businessman explained. Corruption acts are related most of the times with the administration, be it central or local.

The phenomenon affects mainly private companies and especially small ones, Transparency International deputy Director Iulia Cospanaru said. According to the Transparency International report on 2009, Romania is the most corrupt European country.