The European funds attracted by Romania during the past decade, have had impact on the GDP increase by 13.6% and on the level of investments by 30% until 2016, a release from the Ministry for European Funds reads.
The source mentions that the European funds accessed hitherto amount to EUR 46 billion, of which in the current programming period EUR 10 billion.
“This amount shows the total level of European funds, which means the cohesion policy, the common agricultural policy, including the direct payments. During the 2014-2020 programming year, Romania has attracted EUR 10 billion out of the aimed volume of EUR 40 billion at the end of the interval,” Minister for European Funds, Rovana Plumb, has said on Friday, according to capital.ro.
The European funds have also contributed to the development of 4,000 companies and to the employment of 62,000 people.
“Millions of citizens in 287 localities in Romania benefit from better water supply and sewerage systems due to investing European money. Also, in terms of environment protection and meeting European standards in the field, 142 sewage treatment plants have been built or rehabilitated. Through the professional training programmes, funded by European money, 352,500 teachers have been trained,” the ministry’s release reads.
The document also mentions more than 143,000 unemployed have attended programmes which developed the market, and other 125,000 persons within the vulnerable groups – unemployed, Roma ethnics, single mothers, persons from marginalized communities, persons with disabilities – have benefited from qualification and requalification trainings.
Some 3,300 km of roads have been rehabilitated and 300 km of new roads have been built.
“From the economic point of view, the impact of EU funds has led to the growth by 13.6% of the GDP. The European money has stimulated the increase by 30% of investments until 2016. The funds’ benefits are also reflected in the unemployment drop by 3.7% until the end of 2016,” the ministry informs.
In terms of labour productivity, it has grown by 4%, with a significant growth, of about 30% (during 2008-2016) of the average wage per employee.