Public Information Notice No.  10/97

Public Information Notice: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2010 Article IV Consultation and Fourth Review of the Stand-By Agreement with Romania

July 23, 2010

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the fourth review of Romania’s economic performance under 24-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) approved on May 4, 2009 and concluded the 2010 Article IV consultation with Romania.¹ The completion of this program review enables the immediate disbursement of SDR 768 million, bringing total disbursements under the program to SDR 9.031 billion (about €9.32 billion or about US$12.60 billion.

Background

Before the current crisis, the Romanian economy was characterized by high growth rates, associated with the build-up of external and internal imbalances. Large capital inflows stimulated domestic demand, while labor constraints and rising public sector wages generated wage inflation. Fiscal policy was pro-cyclical, exacerbating the overheating of the economy despite tight monetary policy to counteract price pressures. The rapid development of the banking system came with vulnerabilities to outside liquidity shocks and foreign exchange risks. The global economic and financial crisis hit Romania hard in late 2008 and 2009. Capital inflows dried up, exports plunged, and country risk indicators skyrocketed. As a result of the sharp contraction in domestic demand, GDP plummeted and the current account deficit fell markedly. Although banks generally entered the crisis well capitalized, they faced rising NPLs, a dried up interbank market and limited access to external sources of funds. The country’s large fiscal deficit constrained the fiscal policy response to the crisis.

In early 2009 authorities put together a policy package supported by financing from the Fund, the EU, and the World Bank. The program included (i) fiscal consolidation accompanied by structural reforms to restore fiscal sustainability and boost market confidence, (ii) steps to further strengthen the resilience of the financial sector and to obtain commitments from foreign parent banks to maintain their Romanian subsidiaries capitalized and liquid, and (iii) prudent monetary policy management to reduce inflation. The program has contributed to stabilizing the economy and alleviating financing pressures. Economic activity remained weak throughout 2009 (declining by 7.1 percent), but exchange rate pressure eased, the country risk premium narrowed significantly, and financial sector stress eased. While for 2010 as a whole growth is forecast to be slightly negative, a gradually recovery is expected in the second half of the year. Domestic demand will remain subdued, as unemployment continues to rise and real wages adjust to the recession with a lag, while investment will pick up slowly. The contribution of net exports is forecast to remain positive but limited in 2010. Beyond 2010, GDP should recover, with growth forecast to rise to around 3½ percent in 2011 and to the range of 4-4½ percent per year in the medium-term.

Executive Board Assessment

Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They noted that despite one of the largest economic downturns in Europe, the Romanian authorities have made significant strides toward restoring macroeconomic stability and achieving an orderly adjustment of pre-crisis imbalances. They noted, however, that important challenges remain in ensuring that the economic and policy adjustments are sustainable. They encouraged the authorities to carry through with planned structural reforms to secure a sustainable fiscal position, boost potential growth, and reinforce the economy’s resilience to shocks.

Directors commended the authorities’ strong adjustment effort this year as an appropriate response to the near-term challenges posed by the sharp deterioration in the fiscal position. They agreed with the authorities’ approach of balancing the adjustment between expenditure cuts and tax increases, by way of cushioning the social impact of the adjustment while decisively tackling the large public wage bill. . Directors also supported the proposed relaxation of the 2010 deficit target to accommodate the cyclical deterioration in the fiscal position since the last review.

Directors stressed that the sustainability of the targeted fiscal adjustment can only be secured if supported by structural reforms. They welcomed the recent approval of the fiscal responsibility legislation, and encouraged the authorities to complete the reforms of the pension and the public compensation systems. Other important reforms are the planned reductions in public employment, reforms of the healthcare system and of the local government finances, and efforts to boost tax collections. These reforms would ensure that the deficit remains on a downward path in the medium term.

Directors also emphasized that structural reforms in other areas, such as labor and product markets, are also crucial in building the economy’s competitiveness and resilience. They would also help prepare Romania for an eventual euro adoption by ensuring that the economy can handle shocks without the support of monetary and exchange rate policies.

Directors commended the authorities for vigilant monetary and financial sector policies. They viewed the moderate pace of monetary easing as appropriate in striking a balance between the need to support the economy and to contain exchange rate pressures. They agreed that, while there may be room for further easing in the near future, a cautious approach remains warranted given inflation risks and regional uncertainties. Directors welcomed the authorities’ proactive approach towards banking supervision and regulation, and called for continued vigilance in view of the unsettled regional situation and the deteriorating quality of the loan portfolio.