● TUESDAY, February 14

Labor shortage can be alleviated by relaxing migration policies, Expert-Grup

The national workforce crisis can be alleviated by relaxing the migration policies, says an analysis performed by the independent think tank Expert-Grup. According to the experts, given the demographic tendencies witnessed in the Republic of Moldova, which point to a reduction in the number of people of working age, the relaxation of the conditions for admitting foreign workers can be a method for overcoming the imbalances on the national labor market.

Apartment prices in Chisinau stagnate for third consecutive quarter

The average prices of apartments in the municipality of Chisinau have been stagnant for the third consecutive quarter, declining slightly in the first quarter of 2023. Most probably, they will stop at €730 per m2, said economist Veaceslav Ioniță, expert of the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives “Viitorul”.

● WEDNESDAY, February 15

NBM explains appreciation of Moldovan leu in recent past

The Moldovan leu has appreciated continuously given the surplus of foreign currencies on the market. This is due to the fact that some of the payments for energy are financed by the foreign partners. Respectively, these were delayed and are not made as last year, in the winter season, but will be available in summer. As a result, the demand for foreign currencies declined slightly. Given the recession, the demand for foreign currencies from importers also decreased, National Bank of Moldova (NBM) governor Octavian Armașu told a news conference.

Biomass is an alternative to fossil fuels, inventor

Biomass is an alternative to fossil energy sources. Even biomass from household waste can be used as heat and electrical energy. All the necessary equipment has been created and this ensures the depollution of soil, water and air, said Romanian inventor and entrepreneur Iuliean Horneț of EcoHornet Romania.

“We want to bring the richest solution to humanity, the most abundant treasure of the planet – the biomass. Why do we want to do this? Because we have with what. Biomass is the source left by God. Besides its other purposes, such as medical and nutritional, it can be also used from the oldest times in the firm of privative energy that yet brought humanity to this level,” Iuliean Horneț stated in a news conference.

Authorities urged to take part in nature purification and energization projects

During over 30 years, no one in Moldova has been preoccupied with the issue of energization as no one ever thought that a moment will be reached when the country will remain without energy resources, said Ion Rață, director general of the International Consortium “Implementation of Innovation” (CPI&TT). Together with Romanian inventor and entrepreneur Iuliean Horneț, of EcoHornet Romania, Ion Rață urged the country’s administration to take part in nature purification and energization projects.

● THURSDAY, February 16

Switzerland to co-finance Moldova’s Decent Work Country Program

Switzerland will co-finance the Decent Work Country Program for 2021-2024 by offerung €2 million in assistance to the Republic of Moldova. This way it will help achieve the objectives of the project “Employment of Inclusive and Productive Labor Force in Moldova” that was launched in Chisinau today.

Distributors to be obliged to install smart meters in consumption places

The distributors of electrical energy, heat and natural gas will have to install smart meters on consumption places, as a bill that was given a first reading by Parliament provides.

Contests “Trademark of the Year” and “Award for Quality Accomplishments” launched

Applications to compete in the contests “Trademark of the Year” and “Award for Quality Accomplishments” will be accepted from February 16 until March 31. The presentation file can be submitted by April 14. In a news conference to launch the contests, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented the new elements of the current edition, including the nomination “Brand Name” for the promotion of family friendly workplaces.

● FRIDAY, February 17

Statistics for 2022 do not reflect reality in Moldova’s economy, expert

Even if official statistics show that foreign trade grew in 2022, in reality this declined, said expert in economic policies of the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives “Viitorul” Veaceslav Ioniță. According to him, Moldova last year imported a lower volume of goods than in 2021, but paid more for them due to the higher prices. The same happened in the case of exports. The exported volume was lower, but the pieces were higher.

State aims to invest 3bn lei in agriculture until 2030

The state set the goal of investing 3 billion lei in agriculture until 2030. This is provided in the National Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy for 2023-2030 that was approved by the Cabinet. Following the exclusion of bureaucratic barriers, the rise in value added in agriculture and in labor productivity, the private investment is expected to increase to about 13 billion lei until 2030. This means the total value of investments in the agricultural sector will represent about 4.63% of the GDP, as opposed to 1.66% in 2020.

Stricter requirements concerning food product labeling

Consumers will have access to more detailed information about the purchased food products. The Government approved the supplementing of the national normative framework with provisions saying the labels should contain information about substances or ingredients that can cause allergies or intolerance.

NBM offers employment opportunities to young specialists

The National Bank of Moldova (NBM) offers employment opportunities to young specialists by attracting them with international training programs and possibilities of professional growth at the central bank and at other institutions of the country.

● SATURDAY, February 18

Number of tourists last year up 49% on 2021

The number of tourists and excursionists involved in tourism organized by travel agencies and tour operators in 2022 grew by 49% on 2021. The number of tourists who went abroad was by 49.1% higher, while of those who visited Moldova was by 21% higher. The number of tourists and excursionists involved in inbound tourism grew by 56%.