President Nicușor Dan delivered a sharp speech at the „Dialogue for Development” summit organized by the Employers’ Confederation Concordia. The head of state acknowledged Romania’s administrative incapacity to translate economic ideas into concrete policies and urged the private sector to supplement the state by providing „ready-made” solutions.
„The private sector has sustained and developed Romania all these years, often against or despite the state’s policies. It is a moment where the private sector and the state need to start collaborating,” stated the president.
Nicușor Dan admitted that the Romanian state currently lacks the administrative capacity to translate correct economic ideas into coherent policies.
"In theory, you should send some principles to the Government, and there, specialists should develop these principles and turn them into legislative acts (...). This theory does not work because there is no administrative capacity to transform correct ideas into principles. Right now. We want to create a state that, within a reasonable timeframe, can do this. But at this moment, this administrative capacity does not exist, let's say it very clearly," declared the head of state.
"Come with ready-made proposals to be implemented"
In this context, Nicușor Dan urged companies to do "what they normally shouldn't do": provide already written policies and ready-to-implement legislative solutions.
"I encourage you to come with ready-written policies and with ready-made viewpoints, ready to be implemented, where normally the state should do it (...). I ask you, during this transition period, to come with ready-made proposals to be implemented," conveyed the president.
The head of state called on the business environment to actively participate in defining national economic priorities, including for the 2026 budget and Romania's position in the negotiations regarding the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2030.
"The national budget - what are the economic areas we want to stimulate? Do we have an analysis of state aid schemes, what has succeeded, what has failed, do we have a perspective for the coming years? I don't, but you can have it," stated Nicușor Dan.
The state apparatus, unable to conduct economic diplomacy
The president warned that the state lacks a capable apparatus to develop economic diplomacy strategies, also seeking support from the private sector.
"Normally, a state apparatus would receive some ideas, impulses, correct data from the private sector, and would be able to develop a commercial diplomacy strategy. This state apparatus does not exist at this moment. We ask you, where possible, to supplement it," stated Nicușor Dan.
He also advocated for close cooperation between the state and companies to reduce the trade deficit, boost exports, and strengthen Romania's international partnerships.
Europe, between courage and stagnation
In his speech, Nicușor Dan also discussed Europe's competitiveness, warning that the EU risks losing the "economic battle" against the United States and China.
"If Europe continues as it has, it will lose the battle with the United States and the economic battle with China. A revival of Europe's competitiveness is essential. This requires courage, including reconsidering some issues that Europe set out 5-10 years ago (...). We need to be quick, not to waste a lot of time finding the perfect balance between economic, social, and environmental policies," stated the president.
Finally, he also referred to investments in defense, which he considers inevitable in the current geopolitical context.
"In principle, it's better to pay teachers than people who make guns, but that is the context. However, this context offers opportunities to the Romanian economy, which has tradition, people, and skilled workers who know how to do things. In the defense industry, there are new, approachable areas both technologically and automotive-wise. There are competitive advantages that I invite you to reflect on," said Nicușor Dan.