The relevant strategy is planned to be prepared by the end of the year. It will include several scenarios for the transformation of the institution. An intermediate model between a bank and an agency is being considered so that, as the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization stressed, “we don’t want to create competition with commercial banks.”
“I’m not saying it necessarily has to be a bank – we don’t want to compete with existing commercial banks. It’s a completely different model. The goal is for the institution to be able to provide grants, investment loans at preferential rates for the business environment, and eventually to attract European funds,” Natalia Selivestru, state secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development and Cifovization, said at a meeting of the parliamentary commission for the control of public finances.
The ODA will also take over part of the subsidizing functions.
The authorities have requested the support of the German embassy, as a result of which KfW will provide technical assistance in the development of the strategy.
The MPs are not against it
The need to reorganize the ODA was supported by PAS deputy Vasile Gradinaru, pointing out the systemic problems of access to finance for entrepreneurs, especially start-ups.
“I sincerely urge you to reform ODA so that it can actually take over some of the functions that banks are doing today. People can’t access the 373 program not because they don’t want to, but because they don’t get through the banks. Banks impose a million and one conditions, deprive entrepreneurs and their relatives of all possible resources to then issue a loan that is subsidized under the “373” program,” the lawmaker said.
Recall, active discussion of ODA reform began after the arrival of Eugeniu Osmokescu in the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, who said that “in 2026, ODA will grow and the capital market will be one of the priorities”.
