The obsolete infrastructure, Achilles` heel of the Romanian economy

Two decades after the fall of communism, Romania has failed to complete even a single motorway which could link it to the main Pan-European routes. But there are problems with all types of roads, from the European ones to the county ones. In the few motorway construction sites opened, the execution of works runs on the snail pace. Accordingly, the infrastructure is already seen as a hindrance, which stops the development of the country.

Delays to the motorway construction have been advanced by the authorities on the account of disputes in courts from the landowners of on whom the motorways are to be built. Experts, however, have different views, stating that poor administrative capacity is a better reason. ”There are major problems, such as administrative inability or the wrong use of the European funds and loans from international financial institutions,“ recently stated Patrick Gelin, chairman of BRD GSG bank.

Poor management of infrastructure projects could result in a slow exit from the crisis, given that freedom of action in public finance was nonexistent in the past and is currently very low. ”We actually talk on government programs and are willing to build highways, but we seldom stick to the promises. If we do not have money for co-financing, we launch projects in vain,“ argued Radu Berceanu, minister of Transports and Infrastructure. Getting enough money seems to be the big problem, and this is why the Ministry of Transports And Infrastructure asked for a nearly double budget for 2010.