This significant expansion of the state aid toolkit includes a dedicated instrument for projects exceeding €200 million, addressing a previous shortcoming in the country's ability to attract large-scale strategic investments.
The new package aims to reposition the Romanian economy within the European industrial architecture by targeting specific strategic sectors. The government is shifting its focus toward "anchor" projects capable of generating entire industrial ecosystems and high added value.
Key industries identified for prioritisation include electric mobility and batteries, semiconductors and advanced electronics, as well as the green chemical industry and advanced materials. Furthermore, the package targets net-zero technologies and low-carbon industries, alongside the defence industry to enhance economic security and industrial self-sufficiency.
To remain competitive, EY suggests that Romania must move beyond simple financial grants by implementing real administrative fast-tracking and integrating essential infrastructure - such as energy and logistical connectivity - into the planning stages.
The manufacturing sector scheme will also see a more targeted approach. Rather than applying broad NACE codes, the government intends to focus on segments with structural gaps, such as pharmaceutical products, machinery, and technologically complex automotive subsegments.
The success of the €5 billion initiative depends heavily on administrative capacity and the speed of execution.
"The decision is decisively influenced by the speed of the administrative process, the predictability of the regulatory framework and the state's ability to deliver the necessary infrastructure on time," according to Popescu.
While the Ministry of Finance has a proven track record, having awarded €1.8 billion and helped create over 36,000 jobs in the past decade, the scale of this new package will require additional human resources and cross-ministerial coordination to avoid administrative fragmentation, concludes the EY Romania representative.
