Small and medium enterprises, oxygen for Romania – 4th Edition

• Romania is facing a severe economic crisis, and SMEs are among the most exposed.
• They are the first to be affected by fiscal and economic instability.
• They have difficulty adapting to new market conditions.
• Many do not have sufficient capital to withstand the crisis and for consolidation.
• The impact of fiscal measures on SMEs

In 2025, SMEs are hit by a wave of increased taxes and duties:

• General VAT 21%, reduced VAT 11%.
• Dividend tax: 10% in 2024 → 16% in 2026.
• Excise duties higher by 10%, additional contributions.
• Reduction of the ceiling taxation for micro-enterprises.
• Result: profitability decreases, uncertainty increases and investment in development is restricted.
• Multiple pressures: costs, demand, sustainability

In addition to taxation, SMEs are faced with:

• High inflation and rising wage costs.
• Decreasing domestic demand and import competition.
• Financial blockages and delays in collecting invoices.
• New obligations related to sustainability and ESG reporting.
• SMEs must be supported to remain competitive and build a sustainable economic model in Romania.
• Event Mission: Oxygen for SMEs

Why “Oxygen for SMEs” SME”?

• If in the past SMEs were the oxygen of the economy, now they need oxygen to breathe better in the crisis and develop.

Objective: facilitating a concrete dialogue between entrepreneurs, institutions, financiers and consultants.

• Entrepreneurs in difficulty must be supported to restructure their business, finance and diversify it or even start a new one if they demonstrate a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

SME TOPICS AND PROBLEMS:

• Increased taxation (VAT, dividends, excise duties)
• Access to European and government funds
• Lack of working capital
• Guarantee programs through FNGCIMM
• Financial blockage and payment delays
• Bank and investment fund financing
• Inflation and falling domestic demand
• Digitalization and process automation
• Difficulties in retaining employees
• Training and staff retention
• Unfair competition and pressure from imports
• Internationalization and market diversification
• Unadapted business structures
• Consulting for restructuring and reorganization
• Uncertainty and lack of predictability
• Resilient and agile business models
• New sustainability requirements (reports, ESG)
• Support for the transition to sustainability

DISCUSSION TOPICS

• What are the problems of SMEs in the context of the economic crisis and how can they be overcome? Other challenges for SMEs.
• The impact of the tightening of the tax regime on SMEs and solutions. How can we improve measures to reduce the budget deficit without affecting the activity of SMEs?
• Sources of financing for SMEs: Bank financing and through investment funds. Guarantee programs. European funds. Grants for SMEs.
• SME access to innovation and digitalization. Supporting start-ups and innovative SMEs.
• Digital payments – a catalyst for the development of SMEs and the reduction of the informal economy.

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