What the newspapers say: April 13, 2011

IMF experts estimate Romania’s debt will increase this year. OMV Petrom, ArcelorMittal Galati and Rompetrol Rafinare Constanta are among the most powerful companies in Romania. Prime Minister’s hometown is one of the priorities in terms of public investments. Last but not least, two Italian girls were saved by a dog attacking them by a Romanian.

IMF experts estimate that Romania’s governmental debt will increase this year from 35.2% in 2010 to 37.7% of GDP and the level will be constant in the next three years according to the IMF biannual report, Romania libera reads. Romania’s gross debt will have a tendency to decrease so that in 2012 it will be 37.7% and in 2013 it will amount to 37.5%.

Authors of the report expect to see Romania’s budgetary deficit at 4.4% of GD followed by 3% next year and 2.9% in 2013. Budgetary revenues will decrease from 39.4% of GDP this year to 37.7% and in 2012 they will fall to 36.7% of GDP. Budgetary spending will increase from 32.8% of GDP last year to 33.3% this year and will reach 33.7% of GDP in 2012.

According to the report Romania is among the countries that will register an increase of its debt this year and a decrease of the budgetary deficit. Other states in the same situation are Bulgaria, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine and Kenya.

Elsewhere in the news, Evenimentul Zilei reads about Romania’s most powerful companies in the last 10 years like OMV Petrom, ArcelorMital Galati and Rompetrol Rafinare Constanta. Quoting an analysis of the financial companies conducted by Cezar Mereuta, president of the Romanian Economic Modeling Center, the newspaper reads that there are 30 companies that represent the economic power of the country.

According to the top, the 30 companies accumulate 50.3% of their business numbers and 73.1% of their profits. The newspaper reads that if in 2000 the same top contained 40 companies controlled by the state, in 2003 the private companies dominate.

In 2009, the top of the most powerful 100 companies in the country contained 77 private companies. The newspaper also reads that in 2009 Romania’s biggest industry factory were out of the top, which reflected the decrease of the industry’s importance.

Evenimentul Zilei reads that the Prime Minister’s hometown, a village Rachitele in central Romania is a priority in terms of public investments. This year, the village will enjoy a sports hall, a children’s day care center and a cultural center. What is more, sewage infrastructure will be also introduced.

Last year in May, authorities announced that they gave up building the sports hall but this year it seems that the idea is back on track. What is more, the village will also benefit from clean water and a sewage infrastructure, a day care center for children and a modernized road – all projects won by a company with close ties with Democratic Liberals.

Gandul reads about a Romanian who saved the life of two little girls in L’Aquila city in Italy. The two were attacked by a pit bull and the Romanian youngster managed to catch the dog and tie it up. The girls did not suffer serious injuries but were taken to the hospital for medical checkups.