Finance Minister: Romania's 1.3% growth will depend on foreign markets

Romania will be able to see 1.3% economic growth this year if no further external turmoil occurs, with budget revenue collection to return to the scheduled level from March on, estimates Finance Minister Sebastian Vladescu.

The economic growth target set for this year at 1.3% can be achieved if "foreign markets don't experience further turmoil," Vladescu told a news conference yesterday.

"Any estimate around 1% can be taken into consideration. The 1.3% economic growth can be achieved by Romania, if the foreign markets don't experience further turmoil. The Romanian economy is showing signs of growth, an incipient one. But the Romanian economy cannot grow on its own. Growth is linked to the global trend."

The Finance Minister, however, recommends "attention to what is happening around us," considering that the world is not out of the crisis yet. "Romania will be able to see solid growth only when its trading partners will put the crisis behind them. We have confidence. There are real signs of growth. But the end of the road is a long way ahead."