Romania is well set to cope with the impact of the global economic downturn, according to its outgoing prime minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu.

His government is soon to be replaced by a centre-left coalition, which has promised to make a strong economy its top priority.

However, he insisted the country is already in a strong position, having seen its economy grow by 9.3 per cent in the second quarter and 9.1 per cent in the third.

In remarks reported by Financiarul, the prime minister also claimed his administration had put in place measures that would enable growth to continue and more jobs to be created.

However, other statistics paint a very different picture, with the value of residential property having plummeted in many Romanian cities this year and the country's budget deficit for 2008 expected to be four per cent of GDP.

Senior figures in Emil Boc's new coalition have promised to act to reduce the budget deficit - which is above the EU's maximum level - as soon as they take charge, as part of a package of measures designed to help Romania steer clear of recession in 2009.