English Version - United Nations Development Programme Romania

A spectacular increase in workers' productivity and expertise, seconded by discipline, team spirit,
a sense of duty, and respect for the law.
The progress made in the past few years by some Central and Eastern European countries was
supported, to different degrees, by the same factors, but also by their fast pace introducing reforms and
restructuring.
Unfortunately, Romania has not synchronised its macroeconomic and sector policies in order to
create appropriate conditions for a sustainable development.
5.3.2. The strategy for the sustained development of Romania's industrial sector
PREMISES
a) Natural potential and resources for industry
Although the natural potential of resources for industry is not a limiting factor for industrial
development, it represents an element of comparative advantage, which should be taken into
consideration when trying to establish the desired structure of the industrial sector and of sustainable
economic growth.
Mineral resources
More than 120 different substances that could be used in industrial production can be found in
Romania's geological deposits. According to their size, these deposits fall into the following categories:
Deposits that could ensure long -term industrial production, if the demand, the extraction and
processing technologies will allow for profitable gains, given the fact that environmental protection
standards must be also observed. The following deposits fall in this category: coal (for the generation
of energy), copper, lead, zinc and molybdenum minerals, salt, limestone, mineral water, certain
materials used in the glass and ceramics industry and in the production of construction materials. The
low content of useful substances in non-ferrous ores, the high costs of environmental protection, and
the low calorific efficiency of coal are disadvantages that on short and medium term will maintain the
production at the same level in particular sectors like non-ferrous metallurgy and thermal power
production from coal).
Deposits that can ensure productions at the current levels for a limited period of time
(approximately 30 years). Oil and methane gas may serve as examples. Taking into account the fact
that imports are needed in order to meet demands for industrial and power consumption (including
the needs of population). Romania has a transport and storage network (which is being developed and
modernised) as well as important capacities for primary and secondary processing. This means that
by increasing the quantity of imports from traditional sources such as the Russian Federation and the
Middle East, as well as the Caspian Sea zone, is possible and feasible. Connection to the West
European gas distribution network could ensure the diversification of sources and make the supply
more secure. The chemical and petrochemical industries should primarily use oil and gas produced in
Romania and not imported, since it is of better quality.
Deposits that could only satisfy to a lesser extent the needs of the industry at present or in
future. Over 90% of the required ferrous ores, cooking coal, bauxite, and barite are imported.
Deposits that draw the interest of industry but are used to a small extent because certain
technical and technological problems could not be solved and the processing would have been
unprofitable. Uranium deposits, titanium and zirconium sands, geothermal water, and others fall into
this category.
Vegetal and animal resources
In this sector, Romania has significant and diversified resources. If appropriate economic policies
regarding agriculture, fruit growing and animal breeding will be implemented, the present productions
could increase dramatically and have a positive effect on the following industrial sub-sectors:
Food, drink, and tobacco industries (meat and fish products, various kinds of cheese, butter,
margarine, sunflower seed oil, bakery products, sugar and sugar products, vegetable and fruit
preserves, wines, fermented ethyl alcohol, beer, tobacco products, etc.);
Textile and clothing industry (thread, wool, fabric and clothing made of linen, hemp, silk, or in
combination with synthetic fibres);
Leather goods, footwear, and fur industry (sheep, lamb, cattle leather, furs from hunted or farmgrown
animals);
Pharmaceutical products industry (using medicinal plants and extracts from the organs of animals).
Forestry Resources
The present potential of forests can guarantee an annual supply of over 16 million cubic meters of
timber. Most of this can be used for the production of furniture, cellulose and semiprocessed materials
(timber, plywood, veneers, doors and windows, wickerwork, etc.).
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