Popa, BNR : Romania needs another year to come back to investment grade

Romania's rating could go back to « investment grade » only after a period of one year, if the present feeling towards our economy continues to improve, Cristian Popa, vice-governor of the BNR says.

« Until the rating comes back to investment grade it is necessary to improve the perspective from negative to stable and then positive, then there are some months until the alteration takes place, even six months. In order to go back to investment grade there is one year necessary, one year and something" Cristian Popa said. The financial evaluation agency Fitch improved from « negative » to "stable" the rating for Romania and confirmed the rating for long-term loans in foreign currency and in lei at " BB+" " BB-" respectively, motivating the decision through better economic conditions.

Romania's rating could be improved at investment grade at the end of 2010 or the beginning of 2011, some analysts consider, after the financial evaluation agency Fitch improved the rating from "negative" to "stable".