Bogdan Tudorache

Approximately 75% of the managers surveyed by Impetum Group consider that the economy is affected by crisis and only 3% consider that the economy is little or not affected at all. Although 55% of respondents say they reduced their activity during the pandemic, only 49% actually face declining sales and orders.

In retrospect, compared to the forecasts at the beginning of the year, the turnover of companies has decreased by 21% so far. By the end of the year, managers estimate a slow recovery of 4 percent, which means that Romanian businesses will end the year with a total decrease in turnover and profit of 17%, but then it is estimated an accelerated return in 2021, in which the 17% will be recovered in the first 6 months of the year.

In general, in the last 3 months, the human, financial and material capital resources of companies are relatively similar to those of a year ago, this fact being mentioned by proportions ranging between 50% and 75% of respondents. Working capital is the aspect that has improved the most, while relationships with customers and suppliers seem to be the most stable.

For the future, 70% of managers believe that unemployment and inflation will increase in the next period – however, do not expect a significant increase in unemployment, but a moderate one, by 3-4%.

At the same time, 56% of Romanian managers believe that the leu will devalue against the European currency. Regardless of turnover, developments for the next 3 months of the GDP, capital market and private investment will be marked by decline, according to most respondents.
As a strategic direction, 58% of companies believe that productivity should increase in the next period, even by investing in order to remain competitive, while 33% believe that reducing costs is the solution to survival in this period.