EBRD: Romanian economy to grow 3% in 2009

The EBRD prospects for Romania include a 7.5-percent economic growth in 2008, against 6 percent in 2007, and a 3 percent growth in 2009. 'Romania further has favorable prospects on the long run, though will see a cut in its economic growth in the short term. The main challenges facing the country will be maintaining fiscal discipline and drawing investment in companies and infrastructure,' said the EBRD economist Peter Sanfey.

EBRD is the largest institutional investor in Romania with 3.54 billion euro invested in 248 projects at end-2007. In collaboration with its numerous partners, the bank has pumped 6.5 billion euro in projects conducted in Romania.