Economy | 13 May, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Romania's GDP drops 1.7% in Q1 2026
Romania's GDP fell by 0.2% in Q1 2026 compared to the previous quarter, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Romania's GDP fell by 0.2% in Q1 2026 compared to the previous quarter, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Agroland Business System has received approval from Romania's Commission for the Examination of Foreign Direct Investments (CEFDI) for a €20 million greenfield investment in egg production. The new facility will be located in Mihăilești, Giurgiu County.
Administrative costs for modern office buildings in Romania are set to rise by approximately 10% in 2026 compared to last year, according to Colliers. The increases stem from higher property taxes, inflation and rising wages, with utility costs excluded as these are typically billed separately.
Ascendia, a Romanian company specialising in digital infrastructure for education and public institutions, announced that its educational content creation platform LIVRESQ has been accepted into the Google for Startups Scale Tier.
MSD has appointed Conor Dempsey as Managing Director for Romania and Moldova operations. He succeeds Marcelo Pascual Morales, who was appointed Associate Vice President & Executive Officer of MSD Japan.
E.ON Energie Romania plans to invest approximately €120 million over the next five years, primarily in developing its portfolio of energy solutions including photovoltaic systems, heat pumps, energy efficiency measures and electric mobility infrastructure.
Business leaders from finance, energy, technology, real estate and professional services will gather in Bucharest next week to discuss how companies can navigate economic uncertainty, technological disruption and shifting market dynamics. Bucharest Business Forum 2026 brings together senior executives, investors and decision-makers for an afternoon focused on leadership, transformation and long-term growth opportunities.
New car registrations in Romania increased by 2.7% in April compared to the same period in 2025, while electrified vehicles reported a 26% increase and a 68% market share, according to preliminary data from the Association of Car Producers and Importers (APIA).
Romania's trade deficit fell 9.3% to €7.7 billion in the first three months of 2026, down €792.1 million compared to the same period in 2025, according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Sphera Franchise Group has acquired the franchise rights for wagamama, the pan-Asian restaurant brand, to develop the concept in Romania. The franchise will be implemented through a newly established company wholly owned by Sphera Franchise Group.
DS Smith, the producer of packaging solutions, is investing over €14 million in its Romanian production infrastructure.
Romania's Ministry of Finance has launched a public consultation for the TechUp Romania funding scheme, designed to support investments in research and development of advanced technologies with production capabilities.
Visual Fan has entered the shareholding of Solbess, a company active in electricity production.
Real estate developer Park Properties has announced the start of construction works for SunLake Snagov Signature Collection, a high-end residential complex located on the shore of Lake Snagov, near Bucharest.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has signed an agreement with Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) to acquire approximately 10% of the shares of Carpathia Pensii, a Romanian private pension company.
Rezolv Energy has commissioned the St. George solar park in Silistra, near the Bulgaria-Romania border. Built on a former airport site, the €270 million project transforms abandoned land into a renewable energy facility.
Romanian employees demonstrate higher engagement and happiness levels at work compared to European averages, according to the 2026 "Workplace Happiness Barometer" launched by Pluxee in partnership with The Happiness Index.
Romania's industrial and logistics market reached over 8 million sqm in Q1 2026, with approximately 115,000 sqm of new space delivered. At the same time, around 500,000 sqm are currently under construction, according to Cushman & Wakefield Echinox's report.
CEE real estate investment rebounded strongly in 2025, with volumes reaching €11.6 billion across six core markets, representing a 31% year-on-year increase according to Colliers.
Polish pharmaceutical company Zakłady Farmaceutyczne Polpharma has agreed to launch a voluntary public takeover offer (VTO) for all shares of Romanian drugmaker Biofarm, according to a regulatory filing.
Romania is entering a new stage, with its multiannual economic recovery programme launching in 2026, carrying an estimated budget of around €5 billion through 2032 and a dedicated framework for anchor-type strategic investments above €200 million, according to experts at EY Romania.
FintechOS, the financial technology company founded in Romania that provides AI-based digitalisation solutions for banks and insurers, has reached profitability on the back of a 40% rise in recurring revenue at the end of Q1, company representatives said.
OMV Petrom, an integrated energy producer in Southeast Europe, has made the final investment decision for Gabare, an integrated solar energy and battery storage project in Bulgaria.
Romania has reached 31 da Vinci robotic surgery programs nationwide, of which 8 are in the public healthcare system. The most recent system, installed at Fundeni Clinical Institute, marks the expansion of robotic surgery in Romanian public hospitals and the regional milestone of 100 da Vinci systems across the SOFMEDICA region: Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary, Cyprus, Croatia and Slovenia.
The gap between European and Romanian agricultural economic pressures widened in Q1 2026.