What the newspapers say: February 11, 2009

Banks would rather postpone the approval of credit files than refuse their clients, one newspaper reads on Wednesday. Elsewhere in the news, Finance ministry plans to increase by five or six times the tax applied for possession of buildings of land, to add more money to the budget. In politics today, a Tourism minister’s proposal to offer employees holiday tickets worth 2,000 Romanian Ron/year reached the government for approval.

Evenimentul Zilei reads that banks would rather delay the approval process of credits rather than refuse their clients. The newspaper reads that banks are more reluctant to offer credits for personal needs. Even though their official policy is that they still offer credits, the procedures are delayed until the solicitors lose any incentive to get the credit.

The newspaper reads that its reporters investigated the issue in several banks: at Unicredit Tiriac counselor did not even fake an interest to offer a credit. At BCR, the credit officer requested a long list of necessary documents in order for the procedure to continue.

Sources in banks declared that local banks can request any supplementary information just to postpone the process as much as possible.

Elsewhere in the news, Finance ministry plans to supplement budget revenues by increasing taxes on buildings by five to six times this year, Cotidianul reads. According to the macroeconomic report for 2009, the Finance ministry plans to obtain supplementary revenues of almost 800 million Romanian Ron (0.14% of GDP) by increasing local budgetary revenues.

Finance representatives declared that all tax buildings will be increased, in an attempt to up date the value of the buildings as taxes increased in 2002. Sources within the institution declared for the newspaper that the tax will not be retroactive so people that already paid their taxes for 2009 will not be compelled to pay more.

The sum that the government considers receiving this year is small as compared to its potential, as most people already paid their taxes for 2009.

Gandul reads that Democrat Liberal Tourism minister, Elena Udrea submitted a proposal ruling that state employees should receive a 2,000 Romanian Ron worth holiday tickets per year. According to the newspaper, if the normative act will pass, the measure will cut some 35% of the GDP for 2009, which totals 2 billion Ron.

Udrea is determined to implement the new normative act by Easter time. Political reactions to her proposal differ: while businessmen in tourism rejoice at the thought that tickets will only be valid for Romanian resorts, industry companies, affected by the crisis classify the proposal as ridiculous.

Since companies are compelled to lay off people, talks about bonuses seems at least superficial when there is no liquidity to pay up salaries. Some analysts declared that in a difficult year, such a measure will not be wise economically.