Over 17,200 new firms set up in Romania in the first two months of 2017

Some 17,251 new companies were set up in Romania in the first two months of this year, down 11.3% over the same period of 2016, according to the Trade Registry’s Office (ONRC). The number of new limited liability companies, called SRL in Romania, went down by 18% year-on-year to over 11,650. They represented two-thirds (67.6%) of the new firms established in the first two months of the year. Meanwhile, the number of self-employed persons, called PFA in Romania, increased by 8.2% year-on-year to over 3,540. Bucharest ranked first among the cities and counties in Romania, with 2,638 registrations during this period, down 17.9% year-on-year. Most of the newly established companies are active in retail, namely 4,168 companies. Almost 106,000 new firms were set up in Romania last year, down 6.4% compared to 2015. The Government aims to encourage Romanians to set up new companies via a state program called Start-up Nation. The program will grant up to RON 200,000 (EUR 44,400) non-reimbursable financing to all entrepreneurs who set up new companies and hire at least two people. It may start at the beginning of May. editor@romania-insider.com