Eugen Osmochescu
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization Eugen Osmocescu explained that the new approach emphasizes digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence to improve the efficiency of interaction between the government and the private sector. Unlike past initiatives, such as the “regulatory guillotine,” current efforts are collaborative in nature and involve all ministries in the process of aligning national legislation with EU standards and streamlining procedures.
“We are now at a completely different stage, where the focus is not on mechanical but on smart streamlining. We must find solutions with minimal risks and minimal costs for both business and the state. We are talking about regulation for the current century, where digitalization—and especially artificial intelligence—is playing an increasingly significant and ubiquitous role, so we must align all our initiatives with this,” Osmocescu stated during a debate on IPN.
According to the deputy prime minister, the ambitious goal for 2026 is to generate savings for the private sector of approximately 5 billion lei by eliminating unnecessary administrative barriers.
The Ministry of the Environment is cited as a successful example, having revised its legislation and authorization system in line with EU standards. Similar discussions are currently underway with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.
Alignment with an Eye Toward the Future
Authorities acknowledge that difficulties arise when some agencies refuse to accept changes without valid arguments, but the process is constantly being adjusted through dialogue.
“Moreover, we aim to instill in government agencies the approaches already applied at the European Union level, which has recognized the excess of regulation for many decades. Packages, so-called ‘omnibus bills,’ have been developed to facilitate the business environment: one specifically for digitalization, and another for reducing bureaucracy in relations between the EU and business. “That is precisely why we are already aligning our initiatives with those being prepared in the European Union, so that we do not have to redo the work in a year or two when we become EU members,” the minister concluded.
