Bolojan, talks with representatives of 13 international investment funds, on the day Carlyle announced the takeover of Lukoil assets

Ilie Bolojan met with representatives of 13 international investment funds, in a context marked by an extremely important announcement on the energy market: the takeover of Lukoil's assets by the American company Carlyle, including those in Romania.

Business meeting at Victoria Palace. PHOTO: gov.ro

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan held a meeting with a delegation of foreign investors, representing 13 international investment funds, at the Victoria Palace on Thursday, January 29, a meeting coordinated by Bank of America. The discussions focused on the Government's economic directions and Romania's prospects in a year considered essential for the stabilization of public finances.

In front of the investors, the head of the Executive presented the main objectives of the Government for the next period, insisting on reducing the budget deficit, which would approach 6-6.2% of GDP, on optimizing state spending and maintaining a political stability considered essential for the economy. Bolojan also emphasized the need to strengthen the real economy, by supporting companies that bring new technology and support exports, according to an official statement from the Government.

He also mentioned Romania's energy potential, stating that, from 2027, the country would become a net exporter of natural gas, once the Black Sea deposits come into operation, and that, in this context, it is important that part of the resource be exploited internally, to support industries affected in recent years.

Another area with potential for development indicated by the prime minister to investors was the processing of agricultural products.

For their part, the representatives of the investment funds showed that they are following with interest the measures to reduce the deficit and control public expenses and asked for clarifications regarding Romania's economic and political perspectives in the coming year.

In this context, Ilie Bolojan referred to the political understanding regarding the rotation at the head of the Government, specifying that, from the spring of next year, the mandate of prime minister is to be taken over by the PSD. He stressed the importance of sticking to this agreement, saying that a lack of political consistency has damaged public trust in the past.

“Romania has now had some lessons. When you run deficits for years, the bill is quite high. I hope we all understood this, and I mean the political people”, the prime minister said, adding that he is optimistic about the direction the country is going, regardless of political changes after 2027.

This year's goals

Investors insisted on the importance of government stability and asked what the priorities of the Executive will be after the adoption of the budget for this year.

In this sense, Ilie Bolojan indicated as major objectives the absorption of European funds, the continuation of the reduction of public expenses, a simplification and debureaucratization package for the business environment, as well as the support of investments in the defense industry and technological transfer.

The Minister of Finance, Alexandru Nazare, also participated in the discussions, who explained that the fiscal consolidation process will be based, in addition to the reforms, on the digitalization of ANAF and the attraction of funds available through PNRR and other European programs.

On behalf of the Government, the head of the Prime Minister's Office, Mihai Jurca, and honorary councilor Ionuț Dumitru were also present, according to the quoted statement.

The Prime Minister's meeting with the delegates of the 13 international investment funds takes place on the same day that the Carlyle Group announced its intention to take over Lukoil's international assets, including those in Romania.

The transaction concerns over 300 gas stations, the Petrotel refinery and an important participation in the Trident project in the Black Sea, one of the strategic stakes of the Romanian energy sector.