● MONDAY, April 10
Founder of firm fined 9m lei for 5m lei tax evasion
The founder of a company is to pay a fine of about 9 million lei for tax evasion. The firm that operated in the field of wholesale trade, primarily in food products and also in tobacco products, alcoholic drinks, grains and fodder, didn’t pay 5 million lei taxes.
NBM compiles rankings of systemically important banks
The Executive Committee of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) decided which banks are of systemic importance for the state based on the situation on December 31, 2022. These banks are: BC “MAIB” SA, BC “Moldindconbank” SA, BC “Victoriabank” SA and OTP Bank SA. At the same time, there were set the buffer rates (O-SII) for systemically important institutions for the banks identified as O-SII ones in the Republic of Moldova. The rates are: 1.5% for BC “MAIB” SA, 1% for BC “Moldindconbank” SA, 1% for BC “Victoriabank” SA and 0.5% for OTP Bank SA.
Import of electricity from Ukraine can be resumed if price is advantageous, Energocom
Ukrenergo announced that it will resume the export of electrical energy to the Republic of Moldova on April 11, while the acting director of SA “Energocom” Victor Bînzari said that this will be possible only if an advantageous price is offered. Victor Bînzari has told Radio Moldova that the Republic of Moldova is now supplied with electricity by the Kuchurgan power plant in proportion of 90% and by Romania in proportion of 5%. The Republic of Moldova can purchase electrical energy from Ukraine in April to cover the shortage of up to 5% during peak rate.
● TUESDAY, April 11
VIP hall of Chisinau Airport reopened
The VIP half of the Chisinau International Airport is reopened to visitors. A decision to this effect was taken by the Commission for Exceptional Situations.
Significant changes in the credit market. When will it happen?
The practice of inflated rates and fees and inadequate information to consumers about the full costs of a loan must stop. This is what NBM Deputy Governor Constantin Schendra said in an interview with IPN.
● WEDNESDAY, April 12
Gas consummation this March over 50% down on last March
The consumption of natural gas last month was 64.7 million cubic meters, which is by 56.7% less than in the corresponding period last year. According to SA Moldovagaz, this indicator is by 29.2 million cubic meters or about 31% lower than in February 2023.
NAER approves new power rates for end users
Households in central and southern Moldova powered by Premier Energy will pay a power rate of 2.99 lei/kWh, as against the 3.09 lei/kWh rate asked by the power supplier, while households powered by Furnizarea Energiei Electrice Nord will pay 3.58 lei/kWh, as opposed to the 3.54 lei/kWh rate asked by the supplier. The new power rates approved by the National Agency for Energy Regulation (NAER) will take effect when they are published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Moldova.
Moldova initiates negotiation of US$100m loan with IBRD
The Government initiated the negotiation of a financing agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) for implementing the Moldova Emergency Response, Resilience, and Competitiveness Development Policy Operation 2 program.
● THURSDAY, April 13
Lilia Dabija: Leușeni-Albița bridge will be fully constructed until 2027
The Leușeni-Albița bridge will fully built, while the Cahul-Oancea and Sculeni-Sculeni bridges will be rehabilitated with the financial support of the Romanian Government. Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Lilia Dabija said the three infrastructure objectives over the Prut will be ready until 2027 and the traffic between the Republic of Moldova and Romania will be eased this way.
Sergiu Lazarencu: 2023 is year when government invests in working people
The year 2023 is the year when the government offers support to business entities for these to extend their operations and to ensure jobs, said PAS MP Sergiu Lazarencu. According to him, the government aims to help the small and medium-sized enterprises that were powerfully affected by the consequences of the war in Ukraine. To stimulate investments in business, a 0% tax rate on reinvested profit will be applied over the next three years.
Air Moldova about flight cancellation
Air Moldova airline said that it cancelled the three flights scheduled for Wednesday because it could not pay for the services of the state-run Chisinau International Airport after it accounts had been blocked. The Civil Aviation Authority announced that it closely monitors the situation and recommends the passengers to ask for compensation.
Energocom tests purchase of gas from Greece
SA Energocom will buy 24 MWh (about 2,250 cubic meters) of natural gas, by 1 MW an hour, on a trial basis from the Greek gas operator DEPA. The gas will be delivered through the Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline and transmitted to the gas operator Moldovagaz.
Moldovan goods can be transported to EU by alternative routes
The Moldovan goods, primarily agricultural products, can be shipped to EU member states via alternative routes. Parliament ratified the Agreement on the Carriage of Freight by Road that will offer more opportunities for transporting goods between Moldova and the EU. According to the authorities, the ratification of the agreement will enable to overcome the transport blockages faced by road freight transport operators from Moldova due to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.
● FRIDAY, April 14
Producers and authorities have differing views about investments in renewable energy
Local producers of electricity from renewable energy sources are dissatisfied with the authorities’ decision to allow bringing into the country only Aeolian installations newer than 36 months. According to them, such a provision hampers the development of the sector as the costs cannot be covered. Representatives of the Ministry of Energy said yet that the new Aeolian installations produce more power and allow recouping the investments during a shorter period of time.
Party switching becomes dangerous when it implies elements of corruption, Promo-LEX
Party switching that is witnessed even in the most stable democracies can become dangerous when it implies elements of political corruption or when it reaches proportions that can considerably distort political representation and, consequently, threaten institutional stability, said experts of Promo-LEX Association.
MPs Nesterovschi and Lozovan collect signatures in support of new party
Unaffiliated MPs Alexandr Nesterovschi and Irina Lozovan, who left the Party of Socialists, are collecting signatures in favor of founding a new party. According to them, defending the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova will be one of the priorities of the future party. This will also plead for returning the status of the second official language to Russian.
Customs Service explains new rules for bringing in vehicles with foreign license numbers
Private individuals can introduce motor vehicles with foreign license numbers into Moldova only for a period of 180 days calculated during 12 consecutive months. The given provisions took effect on January 1 this year. In an online question and answer session, the head of the Customs Purposes Unit of the Customs Service Valeriu Kozyrev provided explanations about the new rules.
Citizens can obtain information about vehicle through SMS
The citizens can obtain information about the vehicle through an SMS message based on data contained in the State Transport Register. The text messages are transmitted and received through the mobile phone. The Public Services Agency said that this service is intended for private individuals and legal entities served by the telecoms carrier Moldcell.
