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Moldova Invest in dialogue with the Minister of Economy, Ștefan-Radu OPREA
With a high level of preparation, a clear vision regarding the country’s economic development, and extensive experience accumulated in the private sector, where he managed important firms, Ștefan-Radu Oprea has built an impressive career in politics and administration.
A Senator of Romania since 2012, serving three consecutive terms, Ștefan-Radu Oprea has held positions such as Vice President of the Romanian Senate (2020-2021), President of the Commission for Economic Development and Strategy (2016), Vice President of the Commission for Economy, Industries, and Services (2017), and led the Parliamentary Group of the PSD from 2021 to 2023. In the years 2018-2019, Ștefan-Radu Oprea was the Minister of Business, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship and since June 2023, he has been leading the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism of Romania.
During the interview, the minister spoke about his priorities, which include promoting Romanian tourism and developing tourist products that contribute to the consolidation of a strong national brand. Additionally, the Ministry aims to promote ecotourism and increase its role in economic development, as well as to conserve natural and cultural resources.
Mr. Minister, please provide us with an overview of the projects and initiatives carried out by the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism in the year 2023.
To begin with, it must be noted that the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism (MEET) functions as a specialized body of the central public administration, subordinate to the Government, which implements the strategy and Governance Program in the fields of:
- economy,
- industrial policies,
- competitiveness,
- defense industry,
- non-energy mineral resources,
- sustainable development,
- intellectual property,
- inventions and trademarks,
- consumer protection,
- quality infrastructure,
- market surveillance, and other related areas, entrepreneurship, small and medium-sized enterprises, business environment, tourism, trade policy, and liberal professions, except for liberal professions within the competence of other institutions, in accordance with the requirements of the market economy and to stimulate the initiative of economic operators.
Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Ștefan-Radu OPREA: “Some of the main objectives of the institution is to implement policies for entrepreneurship and to initiate, develop, and implement state aid schemes and de minimis aid schemes for the development of the enterprise sector”
Some of the main objectives of the institution is to implement policies for entrepreneurship and to initiate, develop, and implement state aid schemes and de minimis aid schemes for the development of the enterprise sector, aiming to maximize the exploitation of the entrepreneurial sector’s potential, contribute to sustainable economic growth, create a conducive environment for business development, create new jobs, integrate the unemployed and graduates into the labor market, support innovation and technical and technological progress, increase the competitiveness of enterprises in accordance with European standards, the cooperative sector, and the development strategy and specific regulations for harmonizing these activities within the general policy of the Government.
In this regard, in the year 2023, a series of support measures dedicated to Romanian enterprises have been implemented within MEET, such as:
- Start-up Nation Program 3rd edition – mplemented according to the Romania Tech Nation Economic Stimulus Package to support and boost the digitalization of the economy from the Governance Program. The measure, now in its 3rd edition, involves funding for 10,000 projects with a sum of 200,000 lei per project for the national pillar and another 1000 projects for the diaspora pillar, aiming to stimulate Romanian entrepreneurship and create new jobs, with a focus on education, training, innovation, and including eligible mandatory expenses such as digitalization vouchers. In the fi rst national pillar, 15,319 applicants have enrolled and for the separate component dedicated to Romanian citizens returning from the diaspora to start a business in Romania, 1,648 companies have enrolled. Currently, the measure is in the stage of settlement, certifi cation, and payment.
- National multiannual program for the development of entrepreneurship among women in the small and medium-sized enterprises sector, implemented according to the Romania Tech Nation Economic Stimulus Package to support and boost the digitalization of the economy -the “Women in Tech” Component from the Governance Program. Within the support measure dedicated to female entrepreneurs, 9,520 funding applications have been enrolled. At this moment, the measure is in the stage of settlement, certifi cation, and payment.
– “Women in Tech” Component from the Governance Program. Within the support measure dedicated to female entrepreneurs, 9,520 funding applications have been enrolled. At this moment, the measure is in the stage of settlement, certifi cation, and payment.
- The national multiannual program for microindustrialization implemented according to the Stimulus Package for domestic production and supply chains “Made in Romania” from the Governance Program, was launched in December 2023, with a total of 1,036 applicants enrolled.
- The program for the development of marketing activities for market products and services, implemented according to the Innovation Economic Stimulus Package from the Governance Program, was launched in December 2023, with a record number of fi rms applying, totaling 2,615 enterprises.
- The national program for supporting crafts and craftsmanship – The event, in its eighth edition, took place in Craiova from December 4th to 6th, 2023, at the National Theatre “Marin Sorescu”, located at 11 Alexandru Ioan Cuza Street, Craiova, organized by the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism (MEET), through the Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Craiova.
- The program for organizing small and medium-sized enterprises fairs – consisted of organizing three events in Constanța, Iași, and Cluj, with activities during the fairs including:
- Sales exhibitions of products and services offered;
- Organization of seminars, roundtable discussions, workshops and presentations aimed at promoting the products and services off ered by participants, gaining new foreign markets for these types of products and services, increasing the number of successful entrepreneurs and improving entrepreneurial skills, gaining market visibility for these national brands, organizing working meetings for the development of programs for SMEs;
- Promotion activities for the event, both before and after its occurrence, to ensure a consistent presence of the target audience and applicants, as well as post-event publicity for the national fairs.
- The program for accelerating the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, established under Law no. 346 of July 14, 2004, regarding the stimulation of the establishment and development of small and medium-sized enterprises, with subsequent amendments and completions, was launched in December 2023, with 486 funding applications submitted during the enrollment period. The main objective of the measure is to stimulate the lending component of small and medium-sized enterprises by providing subsidized loans and subsidized interest rates for investment loans.
Additionally, in the year 2023, the European projects initiated to mitigate the eff ects of the pandemic were successfully concluded as follows:
Session 1 – Measure 1 “Microgrants” within the state aid scheme established by Emergency Ordinance no. 130 of July 31, 2020, regarding certain measures for granting fi nancial support from non-reimbursable external funds, related to the Operational Competitiveness Program 2014-2020, in the context of the crisis caused by COVID-19:
- 29,250 applicants enrolled;
- 17,403 contracts signed;
- 17,369 contracts paid;
- Budget paid: 168,115,000 lei (33,620,000 euros) 805 progress reports verified in 2023.
Throughout the year 2023, the measure was in the monitoring period, and the offi cials from the institution and from the SME Agencies across the country monitored the achievement of the indicators for which funding was obtained, maintaining activity, and the eligibility of the expenses included in the progress reports.
Measure 2 “Working capital grants” within the state aid scheme established by Emergency Ordinance no. 130 of July 31, 2020, regarding certain measures for granting fi nancial support from non-reimbursable external funds, related to the Operational Competitiveness Program 2014-2020, in the context of the crisis caused by COVID-19:
- 22,226 applicants enrolled;
- 16,647 contracts signed;
- 16,556 contracts paid;
- Budget paid: 4,317,166,000 lei (863,433,200 euros).
During the monitoring period of the aid schemes, the indicators of the programs are tracked, including the creation and maintenance of new jobs in the economy, taxes, taxes, and contributions collected by benefi ciaries, so that the eff ectiveness of the support measures can be demonstrated.
Among the schemes implemented by the institution regarding their economic impact on the market, a reference model is the Start-up Nation program, which has returned to the state budget approximately twice the initial allocated budget in the first 5 years since its implementation.
“MEAT pays increased attention to promoting Romanian tourism and developing tourist products that contribute to building a national brand.”
What are the priorities and strategic directions projected for 2024?
Regarding the priorities and strategic directions envisaged for the year 2024 in supporting the establishment and development of small and medium-sized enterprises, the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism aims to fi nance the Start-up Nation Scheme 4th edition through European funds, as well as to identify other external funds such as those provided by the Romanian-Swiss program.
In addition, MEAT pays increased attention to promoting Romanian tourism and developing tourist products that contribute to building a national brand.
In this regard, through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Component 11:
- Tourism and Culture, the institution supports the reform of Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) for the Romanian tourism sector and the establishment of these entities.
- Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) represent a new form of destination management that allows for tourism development, with direct implications for increasing tourism traffi c and revenue both locally and nationally. So far, 21 DMOs have been approved, including 18 at the local level, 2 at the county level, and 1 at the regional level.
How do you assess the involvement of the ministry you represent in collaborating with environmental organizations and local communities to support sustainable tourism development projects?
Regarding sustainable tourism development, one of MEAT’s main objectives is to promote ecotourism as a form of tourism that can be practiced in destinations where nature and local culture are central. At the institutional level, the National Ecotourism Development Strategy has been developed, with a vision to develop and promote a network of ecotourism destinations nationally and internationally, which also improves the lives of local communities.
The ongoing action plan aims to achieve these objectives, as well as to conserve natural and cultural resources. Additionally, it aims to increase the role that ecotourism plays in the economic development of these areas and the prosperity of the local population.
To promote Romania as a tourist destination, the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism 6 national and international tourism fairs. So far, MEAT has participated in FITUR – Madrid, Spain; Les Thermalies in Paris, France, a specialized event in spa treatments; BIT Milano, and Tour & Travel Expo in Chisinau.
From February 15th to 18th, 2024, the spring edition of the Romanian Tourism Fair took place in Pavilion B2 at Romexpo – Bucharest. From March 05th to 07th, it was at ITB Berlin, considered to be the most important event of its kind in the world. Simultaneously, Romania showcases its most interesting off ers and local attractions at Ferien Messe in Vienna, Austria (March 14th-17th), as well as at Salon Mondial du Tourisme in Paris, France (March 14th-17th).
The approved list of fairs also includes IMTM in Tel Aviv, Israel (April 3rd-4th), and IMEX Frankfurt, Germany (May 14th-16th).
A novelty for 2024 is the inclusion of two exhibitions outside Europe on the list. The first is KITF in Almaty, Kazakhstan (April 24th-26th), an international tourism fair where MEAT participates for the first time, providing an extensive platform for the tourism industry across the entire Central Asia region. Furthermore, to increase Romania’s visibility in the global market, a national pavilion will be organized at ITB China, held in Shanghai from May 24th to 27th. Locally, MEAT was present at the spring edition of the Romanian Tourism Fair (February 15th-18th).
In the second half of the year, MEAT will continue promoting Romania’s tourism at TTG Experience in Rimini, Italy (October 9-11), recognized as the largest B2B fair in the tourism industry in Italy. With the aim of strengthening tourism partnerships, MEAT will have a national pavilion at WTM London, UK, an event held from November 4th to 6th, as well as at IBTM Barcelona, Spain, the most important exhibition in the MICE sector, organized from November 19th to 21st. The last tourism fair of 2024 is the Tour and Travel fair in Warsaw, Poland (November 21-23), an event dedicated to the general public.
Are there initiatives dedicated to supporting the segment represented by young entrepreneurs in Romania included in the Ministry’s action plan?
Young entrepreneurs in Romania represent, on one of the program axes, the target audience for the 4th edition of Start-up Nation. Thus, the state aid scheme aims to contribute to the inclusion of young people in the entrepreneurial environment, to enhance their entrepreneurial skills, and to reduce the number of those choosing to leave the country.
What are the initiatives and programs dedicated to SMEs? What is the projected impact of these projects on the market?
Among the measures undertaken by MEAT to support the business environment, it is worth mentioning that the institution has finalized the public policy document to support the development of innovative SMEs in Romania (strategic development framework and action plan).
The public policy to support innovative SMEs aligns with the project’s priority objective of developing an open, stable, and transparent business environment, built on responsibility, competitiveness, and entrepreneurial spirit. Accompanying documents (rationale note, draft ministerial order) necessary for the internal approval and endorsement of the public policy to support the development of innovative SMEs in Romania have also been drawn up. The document was approved by Ministerial Order no. 1456/12.12.2023.
Furthermore, to facilitate/improve the information, education, and interconnection of entrepreneurs in Romania, the integrated portal (digital platform) IMM MENTOR has been created, providing small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups, and scale-ups with a wide range of resources and information of interest. Thus, the new digital tool also serves as a match-making platform for entrepreneurs seeking to establish business relationships, off ering features such as free invoicing and “my first website.”
The platform is structured around 5 pillars representing the existence of a company, from entrepreneurial education & training, fi nancing, legislative framework, simplifi ed access to institutions managing the business environment relationship, to a marketplace facilitating experience exchange and networking with other companies, aiming at exposure of proposals and off ers and the conclusion of partnerships. Access link: https://www.immmentor.ro/.
Romania will continue to actively support the European integration efforts and the program of democratic reforms of the Republic of Moldova, based on the Strategic Partnership for the European Integration of the Republic of Moldova
How do you assess the perspective of economic relations between Romania and the Republic of Moldova in 2024?
Regarding the perspective of the nature of economic relations between Romania and the Republic of Moldova in 2024, it should be noted that this bilateral relationship is a priority.
Thus, Romania will continue to actively support the European integration eff orts and the program of democratic reforms of the Republic of Moldova, based on the Strategic Partnership for the European Integration of the Republic of Moldova and the foundation of the community of language, history, and culture with it, as well as the vision of the common space from the perspective of European integration.
In this regard, the Government will intensify political support and technical assistance for advancing the European path of the Republic of Moldova, based on the status of candidate country for accession to the European Union obtained in June 2022 by the Republic of Moldova, with the essential support of Romania. Furthermore, Romania will continue diplomatic eff orts at the European level to obtain a political decision on the opening of accession negotiations.
We had several meetings with offi cials from the Republic of Moldova, both with H.E. Victor Chirilă, the Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Romania, and with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitization of the Republic of Moldova, Dumitru Alaiba, in which was reiterated the desire to strengthen bilateral relations between the two states.
On February 5th, I participated in the Romania – Republic of Moldova Business Forum, organized by AmCham Moldova, in partnership with AmCham Romania and with the support of the United States Embassy in the Republic of Moldova. The event brought together over 70 business leaders from Romania and across the Prut River, providing a platform for discussions and networking on economic and investment opportunities.
During the discussions, I stated that the Republic of Moldova is an extremely favorable area for investment, and Romania holds the status of the main trading partner, having a positive impact on the creation of over 10,000 jobs and investments worth over 300 million euros in the neighboring state.
Additionally, the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism intends to organize in the near future the 12th session of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, along with a Business Forum, in Bucharest. These events will provide companies from both
