The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development decreased again the growth forecast for Romania for 2009 from 3% to 1%, according to a press release of the bank. In late November, EBRD said it expected an increase of 3% in 2009.

EBRD motivated the decision by pointing to the consequences of the recession in the developed countries during the last months of 2008. The bank estimates an increase of 0.1% in the 30 countries where it has investments, as compared to the 2.5% forecast in November.

Despite all, medium and long term expectations point towards hope.

The average increase for SEE countries is 1.5% as compared to the 7.3% estimate in 2008.