Study on the Potential and Needs of the New Member States Country report: Romania

This study provides an overview of the developmental challenges and opportunities facing Romania and relates these to an analysis of the issues to be addressed by the future EU co-financed Cohesion policy strategy in 2007-2013. The report argues that the main focus of future Cohesion policy should be on constructing and enhancing public infrastructure, particularly in the field of transport networks. Romania’s current connections with EU markets are of poor quality, thus acting as an obstacle to business development, trade and the attraction of foreign direct investment. As well as enhancing the Romanian sections of relevant Trans-European Networks, there is also a need to ensure effective linkages to these networks. There are further investment needs in other areas of infrastructure, such as water and waste water systems, education and training facilities, and IT infrastructure and equipment. Other types of support needed relate to improvements to the productive context for business activity, and investment in human and knowledge capital. Further weaknesses relate to institutional capacity.