Techonomy #3 – Your Go-To Tech Monthly Debrief

Dear Techonomists,?

The beginning of 2025 found Romania’s IT industry at a crossroads, reorganizing its plans to meet the new waves of changes in the business framework, following the fiscal measures adopted by the Government at the end of last year. While innovation and growth remain core drivers, the fiscal changes over the past two years are reshaping how companies prepare for the future, as revealed by the ANIS Sentiment Survey 2025.??

??In this #MonthlyDebrief discover insights on:

• Challenges and resilience in Romania’s IT industry
• Global tech trends from Davos 2025 & US
• Celebrating excellence in IT

??The state of affairs?

1. Fiscal challenges - The partial removal of fiscal facilities at the end of 2023 created significant pressure for IT companies:?

?? 81% of respondents reported a negative or strongly negative impact on their financial performance.?

??Rising labor costs and shrinking margins are major concerns.?

1. A climate of uncertainty - On December 30th, 2024, the abrupt removal of the remaining fiscal facilities – effective January, 1st 2025 – added to the industry’s challenges. 71% of companies cited fiscal unpredictability as the biggest threat to their business.?
2. Cautious optimism (or prudent pessimism?) for 2025 - 45 % of companies expect revenue growth this year, but only 37% plan to expand their teams, with most maintaining their current workforce size.?

?? Opportunities ahead?

?Despite these challenges, the industry continues to focus on growth:?

• Tech innovation: Companies see potential in AI, cybersecurity, and quantum computing, which are expected to be key areas of focus in 2025.?

• Global expansion: 65.8% of companies are prioritizing diversification of their portfolios and entry into international markets.?

To maintain competitiveness and attract investments, companies are calling for:?

• Fiscal predictability: Clear, consistent policies that enable long-term planning.?

• Reduce tax burden on labor: Identified as the top priority by 76% of respondents.?

• Support for R&D: Fiscal incentives and grants to boost innovation and drive the creation of intellectual property locally.?

?? Tech in the Global Spotlight:

Insights from Davos 2025?

?Technology took center stage at the World Economic Forum ’s Annual Meeting – with discussions highlighting its immense transformative potential as well as associated risks and opportunities to transition from the growth we have to the growth we need:?

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI investments skyrocketed over the past years, strengthening its role as a game-changer for economic growth and a foundation for innovation across industries. Building consistent governance frameworks and addressing fragmentation in global policies will further position AI as a force for progress, power responsible innovation and successful deployment of this technology.??

• Reskilling for the Digital Age: As technologies reshape our world, the workforce must evolve alongside it. Collaboration is crucial to drive digital inclusion and bridge the skills gap. By empowering individuals with the right tools and knowledge, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the digital economy.?

• The Twin Transition: Advances in the technology ecosystem create both challenges (rising energy demand) and opportunities (energy saving and efficiency gains) in the energy landscape. Smart and sustainable innovation requires a balance between the rapid adoption of these technologies and the goals of the energy transition.??

To stay in the loop with #Davos2025, make sure you check out:??

• The sessions live: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2025/?

• What world leaders are saying - https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/heads-of-state-and-government-gathering-davos-2025-wef/??

• The “Industries in the Intelligent Age” white paper series – https://www.weforum.org/publications/industries-in-the-intelligent-age-white-paper-series/??

These conversations set a global context for Romania’s IT industry to embrace innovation and position itself as a competitive tech hub in Europe. By leveraging technology, workforce reskilling and pursuing sustainability, we have the tools to thrive in the Intelligent Age.??

??Across the Atlantic

The United States took a bold step in advancing its global leadership in artificial intelligence by announcing significant private-sector investments in AI infrastructure.

U.S. President Donald Trump, upon taking office, announced a private sector investment of up to $500 billion to fund infrastructure for artificial intelligence. This features ChatGPT's creator OpenAI, SoftBank and Oracle (ORCL.N) entering a joint venture called Stargate, which is estimated to build data centers and create more than 100,000 jobs in the?United?States.

This measure signals a shift towards an innovation-driven tech agenda pursued by the new?administration. Read more here.

??ANIS Projects: Registrations Open for the IT Industry Awards 2025! ?

JUST IN! We are excited to launch the application session for this year’s edition of the IT Industry Excellence Awards??. At its 11th edition, the competition is designed to reward top-performing companies in the Romanian IT industry, but also impactful products, projects and initiatives shaping the sector and the economy.??

Save the Date

?? The awards will be presented during the ANIS Gala, on April 2nd 2025. Book your agenda and join us in celebrating the excellence driving the future of tech and Romania’s IT industry forward.?

While challenges abound, the potential of Romania’s IT industry is still huge. With strong partnerships between policymakers and the private sector, 2025 can be a year of transformation and progress.?

??Remember, the ANIS industry study is available for free to all #ANISmembers! Not a member yet? Contact us at ??[email protected] to join. Otherwise, feel free to order your copy here. ??

Thank you for being part of this vibrant community. Stay tuned for updates, and join us in shaping the future of the IT industry!?

Until next time, stay innovative,??

The ANIS Team?

?? That's all for today, friends. We'll bring you more digital insights next month.

??Have ideas? Share your suggestions for topics—we’d love to hear from you!?

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