● MONDAY, January 23
Moldovan leu deprecates against US. dollar
The Moldovan leu last month depreciated by 0.6% on average against the US dollar, to 19.3724 USD/MDL, as opposed to 19.2599 USD/MDL a month before.
New deposits attracted last month up 2.2 times on December 2021
Fixed term deposits attracted throughout December 2022 amounted to 6.723,3 million lei, up 2.2 times on December 2021. National currency deposits represented 59.1% vs 40.9% of deposits attracted in foreign currencies. The average interest rate on fixed term deposits in lei was 13.26%, while on those in foreign currencies was 2.46%, IPN reports, quoting the National Bank of Moldova.
Farmers warn authorities about large-scale protest
The Council of the Association “Force of Farmers” submitted a series of demands to the authorities in connection with the situation in the agricultural sector, which they consider disastrous. Representatives of the association said that if their demands are not satisfied, they will stage a large-scale protest together with other agricultural organizations. “The situation in the agricultural sector has worsened as a result of the continuous rise in the prices of inputs, the problems related to lending to the sector and the increasing prices of agricultural raw material. This does not refer to the prices of finished agrifood products for the population. Many small farmers do not have minimum resources to start spring field works,” stated the “Force of Farmers”.
● TUESDAY, January 24
Ludovic Orban: Moldova should reduce its dependence on Kuchurgan power plant
Romania’s former Premier Ludovic Orban urges the Moldovan authorities to reduce energy dependence on the Kuchurgan power plant, which he describes as money laundry as MGRES does not pay for the gas used to produce electivity. He noted that the reorientation to the energy market of Romania by creating the necessary transport infrastructure should be the Republic of Moldova’s strategic objective.
NBM lifts early intervention regime at Energbank
The National Bank of Moldova (NBM) lifted the early intervention regime imposed at the commercial bank Energbank SA in four years of its institution. A decision to this effect was adopted by a unanimous vote by the Executive Board of the NBM. As from January 20, Energbank works as an independent entity under a normal regime, with the statutory executive bodies being fully functional. The bank’s Administrative Board became functional on October 25, while the Bank’s Board on January 19.
Government to subsidize loan rates for First House until July
Over 8,000 families that bought homes through the First House Program will receive subsidies from the Government to pay the monthly interest rate on the mortgage within the program following the increase in the interest rate. The decision to subsidize the rise in interest of up to 4 percentage point of the amount of the rise is to be approved in the January 25 meeting of the Cabinet.
State cannot support businesses that will fail soon, OED director
Out of over 3,000 files submitted by Moldovan entrepreneurs last year to get assistance to start or develop a business through the agency of the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (OED), only 500 received a positive response, the Organization’s director Dumitru Pîntea told a news conference.
● WEDNESDAY, January 25
Daily train routes from Ungheni to Iasi reintroduced
The daily train routes from Ungheni to Iasi became available again. The trains will run for two times a day. The first train leaves Ungheni at 7:10am and gets to Iasi at 8:41am. The second train sets off from Ungheni at 4.14pm and reaches Iasi at 5:47pm.
● THURSDAY, January 26
Energocom to buy about 230,000 MWh of power for February from MGRES
SA Energocom extended the contract for the supply of electricity with MGRES and in February will purchase approximately 230,000 MWh of power.
„Made in Moldova” exhibition at jubilee edition
After a two-year hiatus, the exhibition “Made in Moldova” returns with a jubilee edition, the 20th, during February 1-5. Over 300 business entities confirmed their participation in the event that will be hosted by the Exhibition Center “Moldexpo”. Italian companies that invested in Moldova were invited to the exhibition for the first time.
● FRIDAY, January 27
New U.S. sanctions? Ambassador Kent D Logsdon: Our work is not over
The U. S. Department of the Treasury could impose sanctions also on other oligarchs from Moldova. Ambassador Kent D Logsdon said all the entities responsible for the collection of information are working to identify other players who committed wrongdoings. The U.S. diplomat noted the process is long-lasting as conclusive evidence is needed to be able to impose new sanctions.
● SATURDAY, January 28
Five more suspects apprehended in undelivered furniture case
After the founder of a furniture company was arrested earlier this week, five more people have been apprehended in the same case. The police carried out 19 searches at several addresses in Chisinau. The damage allegedly caused in the suspected fraud case exceeds 10 million lei.
EU, UNDP launch new call for proposals for Ungheni and Cahul clusters
The European Union and UNDP are launching a new call for proposals for the clusters of Ungheni and Cahul regions. A total of €400,000 will be offered to four entities in these regions for implementing clustering initiatives. The purpose of the non-reimbursable assistance is to promote the cooperation spirit among the companies from urban and rural areas by supporting innovative ideas and the creation of new jobs.
