Major investors in the automotive industry have been reporting a serious infrastructure problem in Romania that is causing huge losses. In addition to the lack of motorways, investors are drawing attention to the precarious state of rail freight transport. Unfortunately, in Romania, rail transport is four times slower than in western European countries.
For example, in Romania the average speed is 13 kilometres per hour over a distance of 415 kilometres from the factory. This means that those in the automotive industry are reluctant to consider investing in our country given that they have to operate in a highly competitive market. Although the Romanian automotive industry accounts for 13% of GDP and employs 206 000 people, this sector continues to be poorly managed.
Which financial instruments has the Commission made available, to which the Romanian authorities can have access in order to kick-start investment in railway infrastructure?