Iohannis: Entrepreneurship Romania needs responsible decisions, not populist measures widening imbalances

Romania is missing a clear, smart and long-term vision of entrepreneurial development with models of sound economic growth, that was a message from President Klaus Iohannis delivered on Thursday by presidential advisor Cosmin Marinescu at the "Women in Economy" Gala organised by the National Confederation of Female Entrepreneurship. "We have lately seen how the government is experiencing all sorts of so-called tax reforms and revolutions, either amateurishly or by following questionable models. Arbitrary decisions are made behind closed doors, ignoring law and economic realities. A country cannot develop when the relationship between state and business turns into unfair competition, a kind of zero-sum game. We need win-win solutions that make everybody a winner. I showed many times that Romania lacks a clear, smart, and long-term vision of entrepreneurial development. We need sound growth models based on competitiveness and investment, not on contextual increases on consumption that shift into inflation and imports. Entrepreneurship Romania needs responsible decisions, instead of populist measures that have no long-term support and that end up widening already existing distortions and imbalances," reads the presidential message. According to Iohannis, the progress made by Romanian society "risks being nullified by the lack of predictability and transparency in tax measures, which are inadvertently promoted and contrary to the realities of the market economy. The president congratulated the business women for their significant contribution to the economic and social development of Romania and welcomed the National Confederation of Female Entrepreneurship's action to create a common platform for international cooperation of employers' confederations. He indicated that the Romanian economy will only thrive through the involvement of all its players, and female entrepreneurs "know very well how to fight" for economic success. Iohannis pointed out that female entrepreneurship indicators place Romania in a good spot in the world rankings, but there is "certainly enough room for improvement." "Statistics speak for themselves: the presence of women is increasingly visible in areas of strategic relevance. At the end of 2018, about 37pct of the active companies' associates and almost 40pct of the owners of individual and family businesses, were women," he said. Iohannis added that "in a dynamic period marked by profound changes," society still has "much to do" to overcome gender-based cultural prejudices, but also to recognise the "essential economic potential of encouraging and stimulating" female entrepreneurship. "Maybe we do not say it often enough, but in Romania, business women are competitive, serious, respected and appreciated for their ambition, courage and determination. And this is all the more important if we think that too many times their success in business has to overcome the additional obstacle of gender bias. All the greater are the effort to succeed, when one has to overcome other obstacles generated by those who should ensure a stable and predictable economic environment," he pointed out. Iohannis also conveyed on March 8, the International Women's Day, a message of gratitude and respect to all women in Romania, as well as his whole appreciation for their efforts in the economy, as well as at home family and in society. AGERPRES (RO - author: Irinela Visan, editor: Antonia Nita; EN - author: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu, editor: Rodica State)