Finance | 22 May, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Romania secures €16.68 billion EU defence funding deal
The European Commission (EC) has finalised the signing of the SAFE loan agreement with Romania.
The European Commission (EC) has finalised the signing of the SAFE loan agreement with Romania.
Romanian construction activity increased by over 6% in the first two months of 2026, following a record 2025, and remained the country's only major economic sector showing growth in April, according to Colliers analysis based on Eurostat data.
Rețele Electrice Romania, part of the PPC group, has launched a tender worth up to RON 59 million (€12 million) for secondary stations in precast concrete enclosures. The equipment will be used in investment projects between 2026 and 2030.
The Romanian government approved a €500 million financing contract with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the Sibiu-Pitești highway project on Thursday.
Romania continues to lag significantly behind the European average regarding the modernisation of its rail infrastructure.
Romania's Government Private Cloud, the country's largest critical digital infrastructure, has entered operational stage nationwide.
Romania's construction market reached near-record levels in 2025, with work volumes growing almost 8% in the first eleven months compared to the previous year, according to Colliers' annual report. The sector now represents 9% of GDP, the highest share in the European Union and well above the 5% EU average.
Romanian grid power operator Transelectrica has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Georgian State Electrosystem JSC (GSE) to develop the Georgia-Romania Interconnection Project, a submarine cable in the Black Sea.
Building-materials supplier Holcim Romania has announced the acquisition of Uranus Pluton, a granite quarry operator active since 2004 in Cerna, Tulcea County.
Romania's industrial and logistics sector recorded strong growth in the first three quarters of 2025, driven by activity in the Bucharest area. Total leasing demand reached almost 640,000 sqm between January and September, up 64% compared to the same period last year, according to Colliers data.
Romania's construction sector represents nearly 8% of GDP in the past four quarters, the highest share in the European Union, according to Eurostat data analysed by Colliers. This level significantly exceeds the EU-27 average of 5% and confirms construction's growing importance in the local economy. Romania also recorded the second-fastest post-pandemic growth in construction activity within the EU.
Demand for industrial and logistics spaces in Europe, including Romania, is set to increase significantly in the coming years, driven by investments in defence, green energy, critical materials for the technology sector, and life sciences, according to a report by Cushman & Wakefield.
Romania recorded the fastest growth in road freight transport in the European Union, with companies reporting almost 29 billion tonne-kilometres carried by road in 2023, representing a 69% increase over ten years. This growth rate was three times faster than the EU average, according to Eurostat data cited by Colliers.
The volume of construction works grew by 12.2% in unadjusted terms and by 10.7% as a seasonally and working-day adjusted series in the first seven months of 2025 versus the same period of last year, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
SAT Reabilitare Reciclare, a subsidiary of construction group Strabag, inaugurated Romania's largest and most technologically advanced bitumen emulsion production facility.
Romania's volume of construction work increased in the first two months of the current year, with a 16.7% rise in the unadjusted series, and a 19.5% rise in the series adjusted for working days and seasonality versus 2024, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
The National Authority for Administration and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM) has identified Digi Romania as a provider with significant market power.
In addition to the IFC's contribution, the AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) will invest an equivalent amount, bringing the total value of the bond issue to €200 million.
EU to co-finance installation of 1,400 charging points in 13 European countries, including 430 for heavy-duty electric trucks.
Romania's construction industry maintained a high level of activity in 2024, despite a slight 4% decrease compared to the previous record year, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS). However, compared to 2018, the volume of construction works was 78% higher during 2024.
The National Road Investment Company (CNIR) has capitalised on European financial frameworks by signing the first two infrastructure contracts for the A8 Unirii (Union) Motorway.
A Russian Geran-2 combat drone breached Romanian airspace and crashed into a residential apartment block in the eastern city of Galați early on 29 May, intensifying security concerns along NATO's eastern flank.
The Board of Directors of Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Romania has acknowledged the resignation of Alessio Cioni from his roles as General Manager and Chairperson of the Management Committee (CEO).
Christian Tour, one of Romania's largest tour operators, has successfully completed its initial public offering (IPO), ahead of its listing on the BVB.
Electro-Alfa International, a Romanian manufacturer of electrical equipment and provider of EPC and IT services, reported revenue growth and profitability for Q1 2026. The company's total revenues reached €25.7 million, up 12.2% compared to Q1 2025. Net profit increased by 2.9% to €6.2 million, supported by a 2% increase in EBITDA, which reached €10.6 million.