Ministry of Finance launches a project to develop an electronic document management within NAFA

Project co-financed by the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme

Minister of public finance, Ms. Anca Dana DRAGU, as the representative of the National Coordination Unit of the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme and His Excellency Urs HERREN, Ambassador of Switzerland in Romania, as the representative of the Swiss Confederation, signed on September 22, 2016 the the project agreement "Creating the framework for the implementation of an efficient electronic document management system (EDMS) within the National Agency for Fiscal Administration".

The project aims to create the procedural and functional framework for an efficient electronic document management system within the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (NAFA) and its subordinated structures from central and territorial level.

By reaching this objective, the project will contribute to streamlining NAFA’s current activities by improving the traceability of documents and making more efficient the accomplishment of the internal activities, saving time, human resources and logistics.

The project will run for 31 months with a total budget of CHF 1. 626.593, out of which CHF 1.382.604 represent the grant offered by Switzerland to Romania through the Swiss Contribution to the enlarged European Union.


Sustainable Energy Action Fund

Today, May 11, 2016, was signed the project agreement "Sustainable Energy Action Fund" between the Ministry of Public Finance, as the National Coordination Unit of the of the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme, represented by State Secretary, Mr. Attila GYÖRGY, the Embassy of Switzerland in Romania on behalf of the financing state, represented by H.E. Ambassador Jean-Hubert LEBET and the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration, as the Intermediate Body of the Focus Area no. 4 of the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme.

The project aims to further enhance the sustainable energy management at the municipal level in Romania, by improving municipal infrastructure, raising awareness about energy efficiency and renewable energy, in order to increase living standards, promote economic development and provide a response to climate change.

The project will run for 40 months with a total budget of CHF 9,762,904, out of which CHF 8,350,968 represent the grant offered by Switzerland to Romania through the Swiss Contribution to the enlarged European Union.


Thermal Rehabilitation of Pre-University Units in Cluj-Napoca

On 27th of August 2015, at the Ministry of Public Finance premises, the documents for financing the project "Thermal Rehabilitation of Pre-University Units in Cluj-Napoca" were signed. The project is part of the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme.

The documents were signed by Mr. György Attila, State Secretary in the Ministry of Public Finance, which acts as National Coordination Unit of the Programme, Mr. Stefan Dubach, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of Switzerland,  on behalf of the financing state, and Mrs. Sevil Shhaideh, the Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration, representing  the Intermediate Body for Area 4 of the Swiss - Romanian Cooperation Programme.

The objective of the project is to improve the thermal efficiency of the "George Coșbuc" National College and the "Sigismund Toduță" High school of Music. The buildings of both schools shall be brought to the energy class level B, thereby reducing the energy consumption and maintenance cost, while at the same time improving the working conditions for students and teachers.

The expected outcomes of the project aim energy savings of 1,202 MWh/y, cost savings with energy and maintenance estimated to  more than CHF 100.000/y and reduction of CO2 emissions by more than 200 t/y.

The total project value is CHF 1,655,698, out of which CHF 1,407,343 is the Swiss grant. The project duration is 19 months.


Electromobility – electric vehicles for a „green” municipality - Suceava

On 30th of July 2015, the documents for financing the project "Electromobility – electric vehicles for a «green» municipality" within the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme were signed.

The two partner states that signed the project agreement were represented by Mr. György Attila, State Secretary in the Ministry of Public Finance, which acts as the National Coordination Unit of the Programme, His Excellency Mr. Jean-Hubert Lebet, Ambassador of Switzerland to Romania, representing the financing state, and Mrs. Sevil Shhaideh, Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration, representing the Intermediate Body for Area 4 of the Swiss - Romanian Programme.

The implementation agreement was signed at the headquarters of Suceava municipality by Mr. György Attila and Mr. Lucian Harșovschi, vice-mayor of Suceava municipality, representing the Beneficiary.

The project objective is to substitute a substantial part of the municipal vehicle fleet (consisting of old inefficient gasoline or diesel vehicles) with modern electric vehicles in order to save energy and costs, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to set an example for the use of electric vehicles as a way towards a more sustainable ("green") mobility. The project also aims at promoting the electromobility system among the public institutions, business environment and citizens from Suceava.

The expected outputs of the project mainly target the increase of the number of electric vehicles from the vehicle fleet of Suceava municipality (15), the number of electric bicycles (10) as well as setting the related charging infrastructure and fitting-out the parking spaces (28 charging points and 56 dedicated parking spaces), in order to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The expected outcomes of the project are direct energy savings of 282 MWh/y and direct reductions of CO2 emissions of 12 tons/y.

The total project value is CHF 3'112'490 of which eligible budget of CHF 2'778'577 consists of the Swiss grant amounting to CHF 2'039'100 and co-financing of CHF 739'477 from the beneficiary. The project duration is 24 months.


The replacement of the old diesel buses with electric buses and two charging stations

On the 29 of July 2015, at the city hall of Cluj-Napoca municipality, were signed the documents for financing the project "The replacement of the old diesel buses with electric buses and two charging stations". The project is part of the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme.

The two partner states were represented by Mr. György Attila, State Secretary in the Ministry of Public Finance, which acts as the National Coordination Unit of the Programme, His Excellency, Mr. Jean-Hubert Lebet, Ambassador of Switzerland to Romania, representing the financing state, Mrs. Sirma Caraman, State Secretary in the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration, as Intermediate Body for Area 4 of the Swiss - Romanian Programme and Mr. Emil Boc, mayor of Cluj-Napoca municipality.

The project objective is to introduce, on a pilot basis, a more sustainable public transportation concept (battery-powered electrical buses) in Cluj-Napoca. This concept improves the passenger comfort and economic and environmental aspects of the city’s public transportation through energy- and cost-savings as wells as through lower pollutant- and noise-emissions in the city. 

Expected outputs of the project are 10 old inefficient diesel buses replaced by 10 new battery powered electric buses (innovative concept with slow and fast charging capacity) and charging infrastructure built and operational (2 fast-charging stations - Aurel Vlaicu street and Grigorescu district and 11 slow charging points - 5 each at Aurel Vlaicu street and Grigorescu district; 1 at the service depot). The expected outcomes of the project are: corresponding energy cost savings, reduction of local emissions, better air quality and lower noise level in the city center.

The total project value is CHF 7,596,398 out of which the Swiss grant amounts to CHF 6,456,938 and the co-financing of the beneficiary to CHF 1,139,460 . The project duration is 18 months.


Refurbishment of municipal buildings and schools, including intelligent building technology, in the municipality of Brasov

On 23rd of July 2015, at the city hall of Brașov municipality, were signed the documents for financing the project "Refurbishment of municipal buildings and schools, including intelligent building technology, in the municipality of Brasov". The project is part of the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme.

The two partner states were represented by Mr György Attila, State Secretary in the Ministry of Public Finance, which acts as the National Coordination Unit of the Programme, His Excellency, Mr Jean-Hubert Lebet, Ambassador of Switzerland to Romania, representing the financing state, Mrs Sirma Caraman, State Secretary in the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration, as Intermediate Body for Area 4 of the Swiss - Romanian Programme and Mr. George Scripcaru, mayor of Brașov municipality.

The project objective is to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings of two schools - the "Grigore Moisil" National College of Computer Science and the General School No. 4 (Grammar School with kindergarten) - by reducing the energy consumption, the CO2 emissions and the maintenance costs, and by securing and maintaining a proper interior climate as well as improving the urban aspect of the city.

Expected outcomes of the project are: improvement of working conditions in the two schools, improvement of the energy classes of buildings from class D (Grigore Moisil old wing) or C (Grigore Moisil new wing, General School No.4) to class B, energy savings: 507 MWh/y, of which 461 MWh/y natural gas and 46 MWh/y electricity, cost savings for maintainance: CHF 49'000/y and reduction of CO2 emissions by 126 t/y.

The total project value is CHF 2,980,791 of which CHF 2,447,364 eligible budget is composed of the Swiss grant amounting to CHF 2,080,000 and co-financing of 367,364 CHF from the beneficiary. The project duration is 24 months.


The modernization and expansion of the public lighting system and upgrading the public lighting system in two city hall buildings, using LED technology, in the municipality of Cluj-Napoca

On 9th of July 2015, the documents for financing the project "The modernization and expansion of the public lighting system and upgrading the public lighting system in two city hall buildings, using LED technology, in the municipality of Cluj-Napoca" were signed at the Ministry of Public Finance. The project is part of the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme.

The two partner states were represented by Mr. György Attila, secretary of state in the Ministry of Public Finance, which acts as the National Coordination Unit of the Programme, His Excellency, Mr. Jean-Hubert Lebet, Ambassador of Switzerland to Romania, representing the financing state, and Mrs Sevil Shhaideh, Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration, as Intermediate Body for Area 4 of the of the Swiss - Romanian Programme.

The project objective is to improve the public lighting system in Cluj-Napoca by improving its quality and energy efficiency and reducing the costs. It includes the upgrading of a part of Cluj Napoca’s streets lighting system with modern LED lamps, the rehabilitation of the indoor lighting system in two buildings of the city hall, and their control with a telemanagement system.

It is estimated that the implementation of the project will generate a reduction of the electricity consumption of approx. 44% (169.70 MWh/year) for interior lighting, and  of 54% (592.47 MWh/year) for exterior lighting, thus leading to an annual  cost reduction of approx. 75,000 euro / year. This predicts a reduction of annual carbon dioxide emissions by 368 t CO2 over

The total project value is CHF 1,888,235 of which the Swiss grant amounting to CHF 1,605,000 and co-financing of CHF 283,235 from the beneficiary. The project duration is 18 months.


Rehabilitation of the heat transport and distribution networks in Brașov

On 25th of June 2015, the documents for financing the project "Rehabilitation of the heat transport and distribution networks in Tractorul Residential Area of Brașov" were signed at the Ministry of Public Finance. The project is part of the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme

The two partner states were represented by Mr György Attila, State Secretary in the Ministry of Public Finance, which acts as the National Coordination Unit of the Programme, His Excellency, Mr Jean-Hubert Lebet, Ambassador of Switzerland to Romania, representing the financing state, and Mrs Sevil Shhaideh, Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration, as Intermediate Body for Area 4 of the of the Swiss - Romanian Programme.

The project objective regards increasing the quality and improving the performance of the transmission and distribution of heat system in the city of Brașov.

Expected outcomes of the project implementation are: to reduce total losses of energy for providing heating and hot water in the area by 50% (i.e. 9.55 GWh / year) compared to the current level; reducing CO2 emissions by 1965.5 tons / year, while reducing during the first three years by 21.48% the operating, maintenance and repairs costs for primary transport networks and distribution networks for heating and hot water related to Thermal units 6 and 9 of Tractorul Area.

The total project value is CHF 6,346,194 of which CHF 5,142,035 eligible budget is composed of the Swiss grant amounting to CHF 4,370,730 and co-financing of 771.305 CHF from the beneficiary. The project duration is 24 months.


INTEGRATED EXPORT SERVICES FOR ROMANIAN SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES (SMEs)

On 17th of June 2015, at the Ministry of Public Finance, took place the signing event for the inter-institutional agreements for the implementation of the project "Integrated export services for SMEs in Romania" within the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme, attended by officials from Romania and the Swiss Confederation.

The two partner countries were represented by Mr György Attila, State Secretary in the Ministry of Public Finance, which acts as the National Coordination Unit of the Programme, and His Excellency, Mr Jean-Hubert Lebet, Ambassador of Switzerland to Romania. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Tourism, as the beneficiary of the project, was represented by Mr. Cosmin Catalin Olteanu, Secretary of State.

The main objective of the project "Integrated export services for SMEs in Romania" is to contribute to the development of two of the poorest regions in the country, namely the North-East and South, by improving local SMEs' export potential and market diversification.

The total project budget amounts to almost 3 million Swiss francs, of which the Swiss grant equals 2.5 million, the remaining amount being the co-financing provided by the Romanian state.

The project will establish two business centers, in Ploiești and Bacăurespectively. Small and medium enterprises in these areas will be selected to participate in a series of trainings, seminars, workshops and customized consulting, the outcome of which will be the increase of their export capabilities and competitiveness on foreign markets. Within the same project, the SMEs will be promoted abroad generating interest for Romanian products.

The project will contribute to the implementation of the National Export Strategy of Romania 2014-2020 and will run for a period of about 4 years, until the beginning of 2019.


Modern and efficient public lighting management in Suceava Municipality

The quality and performance of the public lighting system in Suceava municipality will be significantly improved through a project from the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme to reduce economic and social disparities within the enlarged European Union.

The project aims the installation of more than 3800 lighting units with LED technology, coordinated through a specialized telemanagement system.

In addition to improving the appearance and safety of traffic in Suceava, the  project is estimated to reduce the maintenance costs with more than 1,000,000 lei, to reduce the energy consumption by more than 60% and to reduce the pollution, compared to the present system, with more than 1,400 tons of CO2 every year.

The project will run for a period of 18 months, with a total budget of CHF 6,417,314, of which CHF 5,238,108 represents the Swiss grant.

Thus, on the 2nd of April 2015, the Project and Implementation Agreements of the project "Modern and efficient public lighting management in Suceava Municipality" have been signed in Bucharest by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland, through the Swiss Embassy, together with the Ministry of Finance, as National Coordination Unit, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration, as Intermediary Body, and Suceava Municipality, as the Beneficiary.


European Energy Award brought in Romania

On 2nd of April 2015, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and the Romanian Government signed the Project Agreement for the Institutionalization of European Energy Award in Romania.

The objective of this project with a budget of 411,765 CHF (out of which 350,000 represent a Swiss grant) is to set up, through an institutional partnership with a Swiss Organisation, a Romanian entity (ROEEA) that will implement the concept of European Energy Award (EEA) at the national level, according to the European Energy Award Forum practices and procedures.

The ROEEA, among others, will support the Romanian cities in managing their energy and climate change policies using the EEA instruments, will facilitate international exchange of experience with European Cities with an active energy policy, will enable partnerships on urbanization and energy issues between Swiss and Romanian energy cities and will support capacity building for Romanian consultants and city administrations in the terms of sustainable development in energy related issues.