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Prime Minister Luca Niculescu announces the €4.5 billion loan after investor demand was twice as high

Călin Nicolescu

3 November 2026, 10:07

Economy

Foto https://www.facebook.com/luca.niculescu/photos?locale=ro_RO

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Romania raised €4.5 billion from international capital markets, while investor demand was twice as high as the amount borrowed, Prime Minister Luca Niculescu announced on Tuesday at the launch of the third edition of the NewMoney/INSCOP “Barometer of Entrepreneurs Building in Romania.” The operation represents the first eurobond issuance since the installation of the new Government and is presented by the prime minister as a sign of confidence in Romania and in the state’s ability to honor its commitments.

The announcement comes in a difficult economic context, in which companies’ intention to invest in development has fallen from more than half in 2024 to approximately one-third at present, according to data cited by the prime minister. Niculescu said that the Government must restore entrepreneurs’ confidence and appetite for growth.

The prime minister also drew attention to the situation on the labor market. Although most companies intend to retain their employees, the number of companies anticipating layoffs is higher than the number planning to hire. The Government is pursuing not only the protection of existing jobs, but also the creation of new and better-paid positions, especially for young people.

Niculescu stated that he is discussing this issue with the ministers of Labor and Finance, considering it a government priority.

Context: Romania has recently managed European funding and pursued fiscal consolidation, while external debt has increased

Before the announcement regarding loans from international markets, the authorities reported recoveries from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Romania collected more than 301 million euros from payment request no. 3, previously suspended by the European Commission, most of which consisted of non-reimbursable grants.

Regarding strategic financing and expenditure, the Government also announced the first tranche of 2.5 billion euros from the SAFE Program, funds intended for defense capabilities and infrastructure, specifying that the tranches are granted as Romania fulfills its commitments. In parallel, the NBR reported that total external debt rose in June to 232.7 billion euros, with a major part of the increase attributed to public administration debt.