Although inflation has decreased, oil price threats remain; the Romanian central bank is unlikely to ease high interest rates.

Golden Ten Data reported on March 13 that Romania's inflation slowdown is in line with expectations, but the surge in global energy prices threatens this trend and may hinder the central bank from easing monetary policy in the short term. The statistics bureau stated on Friday that the Consumer Price Index rose 9.3% year-on-year in February, lower than last month's 9.6%. This figure matches the median estimate from the survey. Month-on-month, prices increased by 0.6% compared to the previous month. Due to financial market turmoil and soaring inflation, the Romanian central bank has kept its benchmark interest rate at 6.5% (the highest level within the European Union) for more than a year and a half as an economic pillar. As the country's economy has now fallen into recession and the surge in oil prices signals further increases in fuel costs, the prospects for a potential rate cut have become even more uncertain.