The Regional Operational Program (ROP) for Romania has been modified to reallocate funds of EUR 220 million for the competitiveness of SMEs and the development of health infrastructure.
Romania’s ROP change was approved on Wednesday by the European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Cretu. The goal is „to adapt to the current socio-economic context and respond to the need to simplify the program,” announced on Wednesday the European Commission Representation in Romania.
„The changes that we have approved come exactly in response to the need of adapting to current realities and will help Romania to use to a greater extent the funds allocated. They will have a beneficial effect especially for the business environment, but they will also support projects aimed at improving the medical infrastructure across the country,” said Corina Cretu.
According to the decision, former Operational Program „SME Initiative” becomes part of the Regional Operational Program, and benefits from a reallocation of over EUR 150 million. The new Priority Axis 15 of the ROP, the „SME Initiative”, will respond to the growing demand in the market for guaranteed financial instruments and will help increase the competitiveness of SMEs in Romania.
At the same time, EUR 72.5 million are reallocated to Priority Axis 8 “Developing Health and Social Infrastructure”, to finance the acquisition of ambulances and medical equipment. „These investments will ensure a better management of medical emergencies in the future while allowing people to have equal access to healthcare and first aid services,” cites the release of the European institution.
Between 2014 and 2020, Romania benefits from EU funding of over EUR 22 billion through the cohesion policy, of which EUR 6.86 billion is allocated for the Regional Operational Program.
