Romania's leasing industry could attain in 2017 its medium- term growth potential of 15 pct, while the value of financed assets could exceed 2.3 billion euro, president of the Financial Companies Association (ALB) Bogdan Speteanu said on Wednesday at the annual conference of the industry.

"Speaking of expectations for the leasing industry in 2017, I would say that we will attain our growth potential. In recent years we came to the conclusion that a figure around 15 percent represents a sustainable growth for the leasing market. In the current context and considering the macroeconomic forecasts for next year, and also in connection with Romania's economic growth rate which hopefully will further stay on tops of the EU charts (...) we consider that a 15 percent growth is realist ic. Next year we hope to see the leasing market go towards 2.3 billion euro," Bogdan Speteanu told the 12th ALB Romania national conference organised together with Govnet Conferences.

Dräexlmaier, the German producer of automotive components and one of the largest employers in Romania, attracted a financing of 40 million EUR from the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) through an emission of hybrid bonds.

The financing adds to another 50 million EUR from a previous loan, bringing the project financing volume to a total of 90 million EUR. The funds are going to be used to increase the production capacity of the factories in Romania, Serbia, Macedonia and Tunisia, and also for financing a new production plant in Republic of Moldova. 

The consortium of banks consisting of BCR, BRD - Groupe Societe Generale, Banca Transilvania and Raiffeisen Bank was selected to provide securities brokerage and sale of state bonds for population.

Moreover, according to the ministry of Public Finance, the four financial institutions will not charge any cost to individuals for the purchase of government securities if the subscription is made through them.

The companies requesting state aids for investments that promote regional development by creating jobs can be submitted starting Monday, 30^th of May, until June 10

The budget for this session is 250 million RON (approx. 55,5 Mil EUR). The procedure consists of several steps. The applications, altogether with the justifying papers will be submitted through post mail or courier with receipt, or in person at the General Registry of the Ministry of Public Finance, mentioning on the envelope: "Unitatea de implementare a schemei de ajutor de stat instituită prin H.G. nr. 332/2014" ( meaning, "The unit for implementing the state aid scheme enforced through H.G. No. 332/2014").