A delegation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's Board of Directors (EBRD) is visiting Romania between October 17 and October 19, as part of a regular series of consultations. "The visit is part of a regular series of consultations that enable EBRD Directors to obtain up-to-date information on developments in the bank's countries of operation and an update on Romania's investment priorities," the EBRD said.

British comedians Mark Nicholas and Simon Elmore will perform their MusiComedy act in four shows in Bucharest this week. The first show will start on Thursday, October 21, at 22,00 hours at the Silver Church Club (61 Calea Plevnei), followed by a gig at Cafe Deco on October 22 from 23,30 hours

Bucharest currently hosts the screening of several Cannes films in an event which takes place between October 15 and 21. The event takes place at Studio Cinema near Romana square. Severn Romania movies selected for the Cannes festival before 1989 and three after the fall of communism will be screened during the event, which is organized by Voodoo Films, in partnership with the French Embassy in Bucharest and the French Institute in Bucharest.

French pianist Lorène de Ratuld will play in Bucharest on October 26 at the Romanian Atheneum in Bucharest, starting 19,00 hours. She will interpret pieces of Debussy, Ravel and Beffa in her Bucharest concert. She will also hold concerts in Iasi on October 27, 28 and 29.

The Hungarian President Pal Schmitt will be on an official visit to Romania on Monday and Tuesday, at the invitation of his Romanian counterpart Traian Basescu. Official talks between the two heads of State, followed by a joint press conference, will take place at the Cotroceni Palace on Monday.

Cargill has appointed Martin Schuldt as its new country representative in Romania. Schuldt has been living and working in Romania since 2005 and currently leads the company's grain and oilseeds operations in the country. He takes over the role of Romanian country representative from Nese Tagma, who has taken up a new position based in Belgium to manage Cargill's European bottled oils operations.

US actor Nicolas Cage, who will shoot a movie in Romania later on this month, will attend Ovidiu Rom's Halloween charity ball on October 30, having been invited by actor Ethan Hawke, who attended last year's gala. Cage will film in Romania parts of his future movie, Ghost Rider – Spirit of Vengeance.

A delegation of the International Monetary Fund arrives in Romania Wednesday, October 20, to review the country’s progress under a EUR 13 billion loan agreement and discuss a new agreement, an IMF official told Mediafax newswire.

*Bank debts exceed 10% of the loans in four counties with low economic results – in Ziarul Financiar
*Carrefour keeps its sales stable due to supermarkets – in Ziarul Financiar
*Atenor Group puts over EUR 30 mln of its own funds in first phase of office compound – in Ziarul Financiar
*Ion Tiriac, Dinu Patriciu and Ioan Niculae, first three places in Top 300 Capital – in Ziarul Financiar
*Remittances from abroad reach only EUR 2.47 bln in eight months – in Adevarul

Calendar of events for the period October 18 - 21 in Bucharest - business events, conferences, workshops.

Romania's EU membership enables companies to seek financial support from the EU through structural and cohesion funds. Romania-insider.com starts a new series of articles providing information about European funds, the way companies and individuals can access them, as well as practical advice for those interested in making a successful project. Firstly, let's look at what are the main categories of funds available from the EU.

The French Romanian Audiovisual and Cinema days will be held on October 18 and 19 at Radisson Blu Hotel in Bucharest, focusing on the transition to digital cinema. This third edition of the event is organized by the Embassy of France and the French Institute in Bucharest, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and National Patrimony and the Ministry of Telecommunications.