Economist Iancu Guda clarifies who the experts co-opted by Deputy Prime Minister Dragoș Anastasiu are in an advisory council dedicated to the reform of state-owned companies and what the mission of this group is.
He emphasizes that it is an honorary initiative, without remuneration, consisting of top professionals from the private sector, without political affiliation and without access to classified information.
The committee's role is strictly advisory, with strategic recommendations regarding good governance, transparency, and efficiency of state-owned companies, Guda mentions in response to the accusations made by PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu, who threatened with criminal complaints if this group is not formalized.
The initiative is supported by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and comes against the backdrop of an urgent need to streamline the public sector, as subsidies granted to these companies have almost doubled between 2020 and 2024.
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Who are the co-opted specialists
The working group announced by Dragoș Anastasiu consists of:
- Speranța Munteanu, former Senior Advisor at PwC and KPMG, with over 25 years of experience in business strategy, insolvency, and restructuring.
- Mihaela Mitroi, tax expert, former at PwC and EY, currently Managing Partner at GTA Group.
- Crenguța Leaua, lawyer specialized in international arbitration, known for Romania's success in the process with Gabriel Resources.
- Anca Grigorescu, lawyer with over 20 years of experience in labor law, involved in AmCham, AHK, and the Coalition for Romania's Development.
- Iancu Guda, financial analyst, university lecturer, and former president of the Romanian Financial-Banking Analysts Association.
"It is an honor to be able to contribute alongside other top experts in Romania, with complementary specializations," wrote Guda in a Facebook post.
What is the mission of the group of experts
The role of this council is strictly advisory, without access to executive decisions or classified information. According to Guda, the objective is to recommend best practices in the corporate governance of state-owned companies - transparency, selection criteria for boards of directors, performance indicators, independent audit, and the exploitation of unused assets.
"I have reinforced the idea that I DO NOT want to be remunerated, we do NOT make executive or operational / specific decisions for any of the state-owned companies, that the advisory contribution is at a general level of strategy and good corporate governance practices," Guda asserts.
Grindeanu threatens with criminal complaint
Sorin Grindeanu launched a harsh attack on this working group, accusing that the initiative is not formalized and could generate "speculations" regarding the companies listed on the stock exchange.
"We form a group without institutionalizing it. Does it have access to classified information? Does it have asset and interest declarations? I want the law to be respected," said Grindeanu, adding that "he will file a criminal complaint if this group does not stop."
In response, Dragoș Anastasiu explained that "from the first meeting, all those involved have signed a confidentiality note and a declaration that they are not in conflicts of interest," stating that the group will be formalized soon and the entire membership list will be made public.
Guda: Unfounded accusations
Iancu Guda rejects the accusations made by Grindeanu as "unfounded, unjustified, and untrue." He emphasizes that "there is no access to state secrets, no decisions are made, only advisory opinions," and that "none of the companies analyzed is listed on the stock exchange, so there is no risk of market manipulation."
"I publicly recommend Mr. Grindeanu and all politicians attacking this consultative initiative to show maturity and responsibility. Instead of casting suspicions, they should try to understand what it is about," Guda further says, rhetorically questioning how they intend to attract professional individuals from the private sector if they strike them from the first initiative.
A major stake for Romania's future
Guda warns that Romania is heading towards a deep crisis if it does not reform the public sector. "If we do not bring about radical changes based on expertise, I am convinced that this is the last pro-European government before a national disaster in 2028–2030," he asserts, citing the end of European funds, demographic pressure on the public pension system, and the need to double investments in defense.
The post concludes with a call to action: "Ready, let's get to work! We have a lot of work ahead for Romania."