ABSTRACT
Romania is generally regarded as one of the most ideologically orthodox members of the Eastern bloc. It occupies therefore a distinctive position among members of the COMECON trading bloc * Given the highly conservative nature of the regime, all matters related to production and trade, both domestic and foreign, must be viewed as exemplifying “most restrictive” trade and business conditions within the East bloc (excluding the U.S.S.R. and non-European members of the COMECON). Less restrictive conditions applying to trade and business may thus be expected to be found elsewhere in the bloc. Such “bench mark” considerations impart particular significance to the Romanian data provided in this chapter. We will first present Romania's involvement in foreign trade and its membership in foreign organizations, and subsequent sections will deal with Romania's internal environment.
