{"id":5810,"date":"2026-03-23T17:28:28","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T15:28:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/industrynews.ro\/?p=5810"},"modified":"2026-03-23T17:28:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T15:28:39","slug":"sondaj-75-din-antreprenori-se-asteapta-la-costuri-mai-mari-din-cauza-crizei-din-orientul-mijlociu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/industrynews.ro\/en\/sondaj-75-din-antreprenori-se-asteapta-la-costuri-mai-mari-din-cauza-crizei-din-orientul-mijlociu\/","title":{"rendered":"Poll: 75% of entrepreneurs expect higher costs due to Middle East crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

The military crisis in the Middle East is starting to have a visible impact on the Romanian business environment, even if companies' direct trade links with the region are limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A survey of 1,436 entrepreneurs conducted by IMM Romania between March 9-19, 2026, on a sample of 1,436 entrepreneurs, shows that the impact is mainly felt through higher costs and pressure on profitability, according to StartupCafe<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For entrepreneurs, the main effect of the conflict is the increase in fuel prices, indicated by 62.7% of respondents. This is followed by fears of accelerating inflation and reduced trade, while the impact on economic growth is perceived to be lower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though almost 901TPTP3T of firms do not trade directly with the Persian Gulf region, indirect effects are considered inevitable throughout the economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At company level, the picture is dominated by rising costs. Practically three out of four entrepreneurs (75.8%) expect operating costs to rise, making this indicator the most relevant alarm bell in the survey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nearly half of respondents also expect goods and services to become more expensive, while more than a quarter expect to cut investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, there are additional pressures related to financing, sourcing and deliveries, even if only a very small percentage of firms believe they will not be affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The knock-on effect of higher fuel prices is directly reflected in the profitability of firms. Most entrepreneurs anticipate a fall in profits as costs rise, but also a loss of competitiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, some companies expect sales volumes to fall, indicating a double pressure - on costs and revenues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two-thirds of entrepreneurs expect customers' purchasing power to fall and more than half expect raw material costs to rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this context, declining sales and postponed investments become likely scenarios for a significant proportion of companies, while optimistic views are almost non-existent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faced with these developments, business is calling for state intervention. The most important measures requested by entrepreneurs are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n