„Unfortunately, the economic growth foreseen in 2010 is a bit too optimistic. We fear that economic growth will reach this year’s level,” Parvan said after a meeting with unionists, employers’ associations and Finance Ministry officials.
Mihai Ionescu, head of the Romanian Association of Exporters and Importers (ANEIR), believes the 2010 state budget is unrealistic, as it is based on a revival of exports, which is highly unlikely in 2010.
Ionescu also said latest data even indicate a decrease in exports in the first part of 2010, adding exports will no longer be the „engine” pushing the country’s economy upwards in 2010, as no concrete measures have been taken in this respect.
He also pointed out the budget deficit target of 5.9% for 2010 „would not be met for sure.”
Finance Minister-designate Sebastian Vladescu on Tuesday said Romania’s 2010 state budget entails 100,000 job cuts in the public sector.
„There is no such thing as 400,000 job cuts as rumored. According to the draft state budget, layoffs will affect less than 100,000 public sector workers. Much of this process will be achieved by not hiring more people to fill positions that become vacant,” Vladescu said Tuesday.