Foreign direct investment in Romania reaches highest level after the crisis

Non-residents' direct investment in Romania amounted to almost EUR 4.1 billion last year, up 18% over 2015, according to estimates released by Romania’s National Bank (BNR). This represents the highest level after the economic crisis. Foreign companies increased their equity investments to EUR 3.9 billion in 2016, including the reinvested profits, and credited the group companies located in Romania with EUR 182 million. Foreign investments in Romania reached nearly EUR 3.5 billion in 2015, according to a report published by BNR last fall. The total stock of foreign direct investment in Romania reached EUR 68.5 billion at the end of 2016, based on current data, up 1.7% over 2015, as the economic growth is estimated at 4.8% in 2016. Romania recorded a sharp drop in foreign investment after 2008, when the crisis hit the economy, which further reduced the growth potential of the country. In 2008, the foreign investment level amounted to EUR 9.5 billion and financed over half of the current account deficit, which totaled almost EUR 17 billion. editor@romania-insider.com