structural and cohesion funds versus the imf loans: implications and challenges for the romanian financial system

The Structural and Cohesion Funds as well as the loans obtained by our country from the IMF have significant implications upon the Romanian financial system. This article is a comparative approach structured on five parts as it follows: the second part is a review of the specific literature regarding the theme of our work, the third part is an analysis of the absorption stage of the Structural Funds and the evolution of the stand by agreements between Romania and IMF, the fourth part is a SWOT analysis of the Structural Funds versus the IMF loans and the last section is dedicated to the econometric quantification of the efficiency of the two financing opportunities. The IMF loans ensure the coordinates of the financial stability but the structural funds represent the link between stability and the development that Romania needs. We consider and claim that Romania needs European funds. We do not ask to give up entirely to the IMF loans but we plead for having an equilibrium which could support the economical development.