Bucharest is preparing to lift restrictions starting with April 27, as follows: the evening curfew will be extended during the weekend to 21:00 (this means shops will also be open until 21:00), gyms will reopen to the public, but restaurants, coffee shops, theaters, cinemas, bars & nightclubs will remain closed.

Wearing a mask remains mandatory in all public spaces, at work, commercial spaces and public transport.

Romania prepares for a general relaxation starting with May 1st.: the night curfew will be lifted and people will be able to move freely without the declaration between 21:00 and 05:00.

1. The Romanian Government has adopted the National Investment Plan and Economic Recovery on July 1, 2020 - the main instrument which allows Romania to access EU funds and unlock different economic and financial mechanisms aimed to support the economic system. Thus, the main objective of this new model promoted by the government apparatus is to help Romania emerge economically in harmony with other european economies, with the goal of growing the GDP to 87% from UE27 until 2025.

Please consult the document for complete information about all the financial reliefs granted by the state to the business environment.

2. FNGCIMM (Fondul Național de Garantare a Creditelor pentru Întreprinderile Mici și Mijlocii / National Credit Guarantee Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises) is one of the most important pillars of support and a vector in the implementation of the National Investment and Economic Recovery Plan. FNGCIMM has operationalized four new programs:

• SME Invest (SME access to financial capital)

• SME Leasing of equipment and machinery (provides access to supplier credit)

• SME Factor (state credit guarantee scheme)

• Noua Casa / New House (unlocking the mortgage loan)

FNGCIMM has been mandated by the Ministry of Public Finance to conclude guarantee agreements with the financiers, in order to grant guarantee facilities for the interest rates for mortgages granted by credit institutions and non-banking financial institutions to individuals and SMEs that had their income directly or indirectly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. Romanian Investment Fund (FRI) - an instrument established as part of the economic recovery plan with an initial capital of €300 million. FRI will finance investments in areas of strategic interest. According to the government’s plan, the investment fund will be used to finance activities such as private equity (investment funds in the form of participation in the share capital of companies), venture capital (investment funds in new or newly established companies), investment promotion agency, educational projects for entrepreneurs and any private company which operates in sectors of activity which have development potential and a competitive advantage (i.e.: IT, energy, agriculture, etc.).

Please check regularly the official information and updates issued by the Government in relation to the emergency state and COVID-19 measures. Here are the 15 recommendations on responsible social behavior for the prevention of the coronavirus spread.

“Google for SMEs” is a new website launched by Google aimed at helping SMEs in Romania with free tools and consultancy on how to go digital, regardless of the industry they operate in.