● MONDAY, July 24
Leu got weaker against dollar in June
The Moldovan leu to US dollar pair went down an average 0.6% in June, to 17.9301 from 17.8235 in March. The drop was more significant towards the end of the month, when the leu depreciated by 2.7%.
Citizens can defend consumer right to financial services by submitting petition to NCFM
The National Bank of Moldova informs the citizens that they can defend the consumer right to financial services by filing a petition to the National Commission for Financial Markets (NCFM) as the duty to protect the consumers of financial services will be fulfilled by the Commission from now on. This way, the most important powers of the Commission are regulated by the mechanism for dealing with clients’ complaints and the petitions related to the NCFM’s work.
● TUESDAY, July 25
Attacks on Ukrainian Danube ports will impact Moldovan grain market as well
The recent Russian drone attacks on the Ukrainian ports on the Danube River will have an impact on the Moldovan grain market as well. The transited volume will increase, but so will waiting times for carriers. To avoid overburdening the Giurgiulesti Port, the Moldovan authorities are looking to increase rail options for Ukrainian grain transit, reports Radio Europa Liberă.
Calculation formulas for heating bills need to be changed urgently, statement
The calculation formulas for heating bills need to be changed urgently, as the current methodology has turned out to be “ineffective and even unconstitutional”, says the former lawmaker Arina Spătaru together with an association of Bălți residents.
“Spînu’s notorious methodology shocked Moldovans in late October of last year (…) A methodology that calculates the distribution of heat in multi-storied buildings in Bălți and Chisinau, it has been proven to be against the ordinary citizen”, said Arina Spătaru in a press conference on Tuesday
New heating distribution methodology contains errors from previous iteration, expert
The new methodology for calculating heating distribution costs proposed by the Ministry of Energy contains practically the same mistakes from the methodology that has been in force since October 2022, says the energy expert Sergiu Ungureanu.
Methodology on heating distribution is unconstitutional, expert
The methodology for calculating heating distribution costs, in effect since October 2022, has “proved to be ineffective and even unconstitutional”, as it fails to observe a Constitutional Court ruling of March 2022, which cancelled the requirement for domestic consumers disconnected from the centralized heating system to pay transit costs. This was stated by Iurie Serafimovici, energy engineer and also a member of the Balti City Council during a press conference on Tuesday.
Chisinau - Giurgiulești section of M3 national road put into operation
The Chisinau - Giurgiulești section of the M3 national road, which was built with financial support from the EBRD, became available for use. President Maia Sandu said that owing to this road section, Moldova contributes to food security in the region. This is one of the roads along which products are transported from Ukraine.
● WEDNESDAY, July 26
Digital map of meteorological and hydrological data to be designed
A mechanism for registering meteorological and hydrological data coming from other data producers than the State Wearer Service, which will be accessible to those interested, will be instituted in Moldova. This way, the authorities aim to ensure reliable and accurate meteorological and hydrological data are disseminated in the public sphere. The Cabinet endorsed the draft law on meteorological and hydrological activities.
Young people in Chisinau can apply for “Start-up for young people and migrants”
The municipality has launched a pilot program titled “Start-up for young people and migrants”. This is aimed at stimulating entrepreneurship among young people and migrants from the municipality of Chisinau by facilitating the launch and development of sustainable businesses. The program is intended for persons aged between 18 and 40 who have the domicile in the municipality of Chisinau. If the business was already launched, this should be based in the municipality.
THURSDAY, July 27
Draft agreement on settlement of debts of Moldovagaz to be transmitted to Gazprom
Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov said the report on the external audit conducted to determine the debts of SA Moldovagaz will be soon submitted to the Russian company Gazprom. This will be accompanied by a draft agreement on the settlement of historical debts to taking over US$720 million. The audit showed that a significant part of the gas debts appeared after Gazprom lent money to Moldovagaz.
Over €1.2 billion for Moldova from EU in two years and a half
The European Union since October 2021 until present mobilized over €1.2 billion for the Republic of Moldova. The money was allocated to help the country overcome the experienced energy crisis and economic and security challenges, said MEP Siegfried Mureșan.
● FRIDAY, July 28
Energocom signs contracts for supply of natural gas with three companies
Contracts for the supply of natural gas were signed with three companies this week. Two of these companies will supply gas to SA Energocom for the first time. The companies were chosen at tender contests to which nine bids were submitted by six European companies, IPN reports, with reference to the Ministry of Energy.
Fuel prices on the rise
The fuel prices continue to go up. The price of diesel fuel will be by 0.12 lei higher, while of gasoline COR 95 – by 0.08 lei higher. This way, a litter of diesel fuel during July 29-31 will be sold for 21.33 lei, while a liter of gasoline – for 25.41 lei.
Cabinet supports VAT refund to Gagauz entrepreneurs from ATU’s budget
The Cabinet on Friday approved the bill providing that the VAT to the business entities of Gagauzia will be restored from the budget of the Autonomous Territorial Unit (ATU), which has a special legal status.
New interim director appointed at Termoelectrica
Iurie Rozlovan has been appointed as interim director of Termoelectrica after the dismissal of the general director Vasile Leu.
● SATURDAY, July 29
Period for executing works under financing agreement with EU could be extended
The period for executing the works specified in the financing agreement between the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the European Union on the development of rural areas in Moldova could be extended by 29 months. The members of the Parliament’s commission on foreign policy and European integration approved the consultative opinion on the initiation of negotiations on the issue.
IBRD to provide US$90 million in grant funding to Moldova
The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) will offer the Republic of Moldova US$90 million in grant funding. The Parliament’s commission on foreign policy and European integration approved the consultative opinion on the initiation of negotiations and the signing of a relevant agreement.
Average price at which gas will be bought by Energocom is much lower than price offered by Gazprom, Slusari
The weighted average purchase price of natural gas under the contracts signed by SA Energocom is much lower than the price offered now by the Russian company Gazprom according to the formula invented in October 2021, said Alexandru Slusari, who is a member of the Board of Energocom. Recently, Energocom signed contracts for the supply of natural gas with three companies.
