Laszlo A. Pook

Information and Telecommunications Technology Infrastructures in Romania

Abstract The European Union is embarking on a massive expansion over the coming 3 years. Among the candidate countries is Romania slated for accession in 2007. Joining the EU is expected to promote Romanias economic growth, provide access to western technology, increase employment and attract foreign investments. The EU placed expectations on Romania as well. This article examines Romanias national information and telecommunications technology infrastructures (NII) in the countrys bid for EU accession, its investment needs in order to improve the NII, expected payoffs from NII improvements, and potential sources of investment funds for the project. The authors propose possible solutions in order to update the countrys NII.

Impact of Corruption on the Development of Information and Communications Infrastructures in Bulgaria and Romania

Abstract Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union in January of 2007. Joining the EU is expected to promote the candidate countrys economic growth, provide access to western technology, increase employment and attract foreign investments, the collective result of which is expected to be social, economic and technological advancement. In a perfect world where all factors contribute favorably those goals can be achieved. However, the detrimental impact of corruption on achieving national goals must also be addressed. This article examines linkages between information infrastructures and social development in Bulgaria and Romania as well as investment needs and financing were addressed with the objective to improve National Information Infrastructures (NII), expected payoffs from NII improvements were identified; the role of corruption in retarding information infrastructure development was also investigated. Using regression analysis the relationship between information infrastructures, social development, corruption, and economic development in Bulgaria and Romania were compared to those of the EU10 countries admitted into the EU in 2004 as well as to those in the original EU15 countries. It is concluded that given present conditions in Romania and Bulgaria development financing will have to come from internal and from World Bank sources rather than from foreign direct investment.