The Confederation of Entrepreneurs and Investors in Romania (CAIR) warns in a press release that Romania can no longer rely exclusively on a growth model based on catching up and consumption, and that the future depends on public policies and investments oriented towards productivity, innovation and higher added value. According to the employers' confederation, which brings together four major economic sectors and companies that contribute about 131TPTP3T to Romania's GDP, entrepreneurs should be consulted by the government in order to propose a new economic model based on productivity and innovation.
CAIR's reaction follows the publication of the Economic Survey 2026 for Romania, conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which confirms the growing pressures on the competitiveness of the Romanian economy and the need for an accelerated change of economic model to revive productivity. The OECD analysis confirms the structural challenges facing the national economy, particularly in terms of the evolution of wage costs in relation to productivity and labor shortages. According to the report, wage dynamics have outpaced productivity growth in recent years, which may affect the competitiveness of the economy, while demographic pressures and low labor market participation limit growth potential.
In this context, CAIR emphasizes that the business environment has an essential role to play in the transition towards an economic model based on innovation, investment and higher added value, capable of supporting sustainable wage growth and strengthening the competitiveness of Romanian companies.
„The OECD confirms one of the great challenges of the Romanian economy: the gap between wage dynamics and productivity dynamics. For business, the solution is clear - investment in technology, innovation and human capital, as well as public policies to boost competitiveness and expand the active labor force base. CAIR calls on the government to consult with Romanian entrepreneurs following the conclusions of the OECD study, which shows the need to change the economic model in order to boost productivity. The federations, employers and companies represented by CAIR are ready to actively contribute to this effort. Our confederation welcomes the OECD's intention to send Romania an invitation to join the OECD in June”, said the president of the Confederation of Entrepreneurs and Investors of Romania, dr. eng. Cristian Romeo Erbașu.
CAIR adds that the economic sectors united in the confederation have the capacity to generate investment, create jobs and contribute to productivity growth, but this process needs to be underpinned by predictable public policies, cutting red tape and accelerating structural reforms.
One of the measures proposed by entrepreneurs is to expand labour market participation, modernize the education and training system, as well as stimulate innovation and digitalization, which must become priorities of economic policies in the coming period.
“We underline that the OECD recommendations and the actual accession to the organization provide an important framework for the consolidation of the Romanian economy and for the transition to a development model based on competitiveness, productivity and high value added,” the press release said.
CAIR brings together members from Romania's main economic sectors, including construction and building materials, tourism and HoReCa, financial-accounting services, renewable energy, industry and investment, agriculture and food industry