● MONDAY, January 29
350 domestic companies to present their products at “Made in Moldova” exhibition
The 21st edition of the national exhibition “Made in Moldova”, with a new stylistic concept, opens on January 31, being staged under the patronage of the Government. Titled “At Home. Authentic. Autochthonous”, the exhibition at the Moldexpo Exhibition Center will involve 350 national companies that will wait for visitors in two pavilions. The organizers estimate that the event will attract about 60,000 local and foreign visitors. Italy is the country invited to this year’s event:
CNAS implements electronic service “e-Application for SSIB Penalty Rescheduling”
The National House of Social Insurance (CNAS) implements the electronic service “e-Application for SSIB Penalty Rescheduling” for payers of contributions to the state social insurance budget (SSIB).
Oleg Tofilat quits as director of “Moldovan Railways”
Oleg Tofilat vacates the post of director general of the state-owned enterprise “Moldovan Railways”. He tendered his resignation to the founding institution, the Public Property Agency.
TUESDAY, January 30
ANTA will be first internationally certified anti-bribery Moldovan public authority
The National Road Transport Agency (ANTA), the Institute for Standardization of Moldova and the USAID Moldova Institutional and Structural Reforms Activity (MISRA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the responsibilities of the three institutions in the process of international anti-bribery certification of ANTA. According to the signatories, the implementation of this standard will allow the Agency to reduce the risk of corruption and increase partners’ trust in its management system.
Women with disabilities face multiple barriers in starting a business, study
The women with disabilities meet with numerous barriers in accessing resources, organizational and financial support for starting a business. The unawareness and limited access to relevant information, which is a major obstacle to the development of professional activities, add to this, shows a study of the Association of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities of Moldova “European Skills without Limits”, which was carried out in partnership with the Center for International Private Enterprise.
NBM signs application for accession to Single Euro Payments Area
The National Bank of Moldova (NBM) has signed an application for Moldova’s accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). Joining SEPA would mean lack of differences between cashless payments in euros, national or cross-border, and also cheaper transactions, reduced time and security of transfers.
First stage to build Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau-Odessa highway
One more step was taken to build the Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau-Odessa highway – the corridor of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union. A cooperation agreement with the European Investment Bank was signed on Tuesday and through this the Facility for Eastern Partnership Investment in Connectivity will finance the prefeasibility and feasibility studies of the highway construction project.
● WEDNESDAY, January 31
“Made in Moldova” exhibition opened
“At Home! Authentic! Autochthonous!” - this is the slogan of this year’s edition of the national exhibition “Made in Moldova”, which was opened on Wednesday at Moldexpo. The event has a new logo – the map of the Republic of Moldova surrounded by a circle, which signifies the unity and mobility of entrepreneurs, authorities and consumers to develop the national economy. The exhibition gathered together over 350 domestic companies operating in all sectors of the national economy.
European Commission proposes to renew suspension of all duties on imports from Moldova
The European Commission has proposed to renew by another year the suspension of all remaining duties on Moldovan imports in force since July 2022. This means in practice that exports of seven agricultural products from Moldova which are subject to tariff-rate quotas will continue to be fully liberalized: tomatoes, garlic, table grapes, apples, cherries, plums and grape juice.
Chisinau - Iasi train route to be stopped Feb 5
The Chisinau - Iasi (Socola) train route will be suspended starting with February 5. The decision was taken in connection with technical glitches.
CSE offers 50 million lei to farmers affected by catastrophic weather
The Commission for Exceptional Situations (CSE) has decided to offer 50 million lei for farmers affected by last year’s catastrophic weather events.
● THURSDAY, February 1
Victor Parlicov: We did not impose sanctions on Russian gas
Moldova can return to purchasing Russian gas if the price offered by Gazprom is lower than the prices on the international market. Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov said that Moldova must make a pragmatic choice and identify the best gas price for final consumers. He noted that Moldova didn’t impose sanctions on Russian gas, which means it can buy gas from Gazprom.
Radu Marian: We want serious investors at Airport, not phantom firms
The conditions for selecting the company that will manage the commercial spaces at the Chisinau International Airport were tightened, but this does not mean that the tender contest is rigged, said MP of the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) Radu Marian. According to the lawmaker, the government wants a serious investor to come to the Airport, not a phantom firm created overnight.
“Cities that can harmoniously integrate new and old elements have the potential to become vibrant centers”. IPN Interview with Florin Mindirigiu, founder of SHARE Architects
On February 13, the Moldovan capital will host the second edition of the SHARE Chisinau International Architecture Forum, an event dedicated to architects, constructors and investors, both public and private. The previous edition brought together over 300 professionals, and the current edition will have speakers from the UK, Israel, the Netherlands, Turkey, Romania and Moldova. What topics will be discussed at SHARE Chisinau 2024, what are the general trends in architecture and urban development in Eastern European cities and what Chisinau stands to gain by being included in the SHARE Architects network? We’ll ask Florin Mindirigiu, founder of SHARE Architects, to answer these questions.
US$354 per thousand cubic meters of Russian gas in February
The Russian gas in February will be purchased at a price of US$ 354.34 per thousand cubic meters, compared to US$378 in January.
Chisinau to host International Architecture Forum on February 13
On February 13, the second edition of the SHARE Chisinau International Architecture Forum will take place. The previous edition brought together over 300 professionals, and the current edition will have speakers from the UK, Israel, the Netherlands, Turkey, Romania and Moldova.
Moldovan architect Gheorghe Bulat to recieve prestigious award at 2024 International SHARE Forum Chisinau
The Moldovan architect Gheorghe Bulat will be honored with the prestigious SHARE Opera Omnia award in a special ceremony, part of the second edition of the SHARE Chisinau International Architecture Forum, which will take place on February 13.
99% of ethyl alcohol made in Moldova is exported to Europe and Asia
Some 99% of the ethyl alcohol produced in Moldova is exported to countries in Europe and Asia. The export of ethanol from 2021 to 2023 amounted to over 121 million liters and over 60 thousand tons of DDGS (Distiller’s Dried Grains with Solubles), which is equivalent to almost €111 million, IPN reports, with reference to Iurie Rija, executive director of the Association of Exporters and Importers of Agricultural and Cereal Products “Agrocereale”.
● FRIDAY, February 2
Limits imposed on cash payments
Limits on cash payments were introduced for legal entities, regardless of the type of ownership and legal form of organization, except for public authorities and institutions. The new conditions will be applied to noncommercial organizations, individuals carrying out entrepreneurial activities, permanent representative offices and branches of nonresident entities, and individuals buying real estate or means of transport from other individuals. Depending on the category, the limit on cash payments will be 100,000 lei cumulatively monthly or annually. A draft law to this effect was given a first reading by Parliament.
Twelve dormitories in vocational schools modernized with support of UNFPA and Austria
In 12 dormitories across colleges, vocational schools, and Centers of Excellence in Chisinau and the districts of Cahul, Nisporeni, Orhei, Rezina, Râșcani, and the city of Bălți, living rooms for students and teachers have been modernized. These spaces have been completely renovated and equipped with modern furniture, transforming them into multifunctional areas for leisure. The modernization and arrangement of dormitory living rooms took place with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Austrian Development Agency, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova, as part of a joint program to develop life skills for youth in technical vocational education and prepare them for employment.
Moldova in 2023 stabilized its energy security, Artur Lorkowski
In 2023, the Republic of Moldova stabilized its energy security, both for gas and electricity supplies. This opens up new opportunities for reforms in the field. And the higher is the degree of security, the faster the Republic of Moldova comes closer to European integration. The statements were made after a joint meeting of members of the parliamentary commission for economy, budget and finance and the commission for environment, climate and green transition with the Director of the Energy Community Secretariat Artur Lorkowski.
Premier Energy asks for rise in electricity charges
Less than three months after the electricity charges were decreased, Premier Energy made a request to increase the charges to the National Agency for Energy Regulation.
