• The Ministry of Finance launches a large state aid scheme aimed at developing production capacities on Romanian territory.
The total value of the financial support amounts to 5,313 billion lei (approximately 1,05 billion euros) and represents a key component of the economic recovery measures provided for in Emergency Ordinance No. 8/2026.
The program aims to strengthen the manufacturing industry, directing resources to sectors with a high trade deficit. Through this initiative, the authorities aim to gradually shift from an economy dependent on the consumption of imported products to one based on local production with high added value. The implementation schedule provides predictability for investors: financing agreements can be issued by 2032, and state aid payments will be made until 2036.
An important novelty is the flexibility granted to beneficiaries, who can opt for either a direct grant or a tax credit, depending on the specific capital needs and development strategy of each company.
"Through this new program of over 1 billion euros, we mark the transition from an economy based on import consumption to an economy that produces added value at home, in Romania. It is not just a measure of financial support, but it is the engine of real support for Romanian industry, necessary to protect our economic stability. We invest strategically where the trade deficit makes us vulnerable, providing entrepreneurs with the resources to transform ideas into high-performance production units. The objective is to reduce dependence on foreign markets and consolidate Romanian capital in an extremely competitive European market", said Alexandru Nazare, Minister of Finance.
Eligibility conditions and access to financing
To benefit from support, projects must provide for an initial investment of at least 50 million lei in new production units. The scheme is aimed at both experienced companies and start-ups, while respecting strict criteria of financial solidity.
Existing companies must demonstrate positive equity and a turnover return greater than zero in at least one of the last three financial years. New companies will need to have a minimum share capital of 100.000 lei, and their shareholders must not have owned, in the last two years, other companies that carried out the activity for which the aid is requested. All applicants must not be in financial difficulty, insolvent or in the situation of recovering other state aid.
How will the projects be evaluated?
Projects will be ranked based on a scoring system that prioritizes real economic impact. Investments aimed at manufacturing products with a negative trade balance at national level, adopting advanced automation and digitalization technologies, sourcing raw materials from the European Economic Area, location in regions in need of economic balancing, integration into innovation clusters and a moderate intensity of state aid will be favored.
The funding application sessions will be held annually, over a period of 30 working days, and will be publicly announced at least 30 days in advance. The funding may cover construction-related expenses, the purchase of technological equipment and new intangible assets.
Once the new decision enters into force, the issuance of agreements based on Government Decision No. 300/2024 will be suspended, thus ensuring an efficient transition to the new mechanism adapted to current industrial development priorities.
Through this ambitious scheme, the Ministry of Finance provides a clear and stable framework for attracting productive investments, with significant potential for reducing dependence on imports and consolidating Romanian capital in the context of European competition.
Article written by Gabriela Dan, Editor-in-Chief Arta Albă
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