GDP worth 136bn euros in 2010

Romania”s economy will stand at some 136 billion euros in 2010, 72% higher than the figure seen last year, reveal the current estimates of the National Prognosis Commission. By 2010, the economy will see an annual growth pace of over 5.5%, and the engines behind the growth will be constructions and services. The industry will see higher and higher growth paces, but they will always be lagging behind the pace of the Gross Domestic Product. In 2010, goods exported by Romania will be worth 41.8 billion euros, 88% more than last year, and the volume of imports will be of 63.5 billion euros, a 95% increase against 2005. 2010 will be the first year when the growth pace of exports will exceed that of imports, official estimates also say. Therefore, the trade deficit will come close to 22 billion euros, hitting new record highs year after year until 2010. Under the circumstances, the current account deficit of the balance of payments will top 10 billion euros, equivalent to 7.3% of the GDP, the smallest percentage seen in the last few years. Foreign direct investments attracted by Romania will stand at a minimum 3.6 billion euros per year, with the high point to be reached this year (7 billion euros), when the money from the privatisation of the BCR and the potential sale of the CEC (the Romanian Savings Bank) could generate together 3.2 billion euros. In 2010, the inflation rate (December to December) will stand at 2.5%, seeing a steady downward trend year-on-year. ZF