Business Forum • 18 June, 2026 at 7:07 AM
Eleven programmes financed through the second Swiss Contribution, with a total value of around CHF 221.5 million (€240 million), are now in implementation in Romania.
The programmes cover health, dual education, research, public safety, justice, energy efficiency, regional development, social inclusion and support for SMEs, targeting both central and local beneficiaries, SMEs and NGOs.
"Romania has a dual responsibility today: to continue fiscal correction and, at the same time, to accelerate investments that produce development. The partnership with Switzerland means projects that must be visible: better skills through dual education, support for SMEs, better public services and investment in energy efficiency. All 11 programmes are now in implementation, and our priority is to use every available resource with seriousness and transparency," said Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare. The first reimbursements mainly cover management costs, with substantial requests for core activities expected from H2 2026.
The meeting also addressed implementation difficulties, including delays from procurement procedures or appeals. The Ministry of Finance supports a pragmatic approach: projects with temporary blockages should be helped to advance, not penalised through cuts. Romania and Switzerland also discussed the future of bilateral cooperation, with the Romanian side supporting a predictable framework that allows long-term planning and wider competitive calls for beneficiaries.
The programme also has an economic dimension. Switzerland is an investor in Romania in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, construction and banking, and the cooperation can support this presence through dual education, SME financing and clean technologies. The partnership is also relevant to Romania's strategic objective of OECD accession.