● TUESDAY, May 30
Results of twinning project to strengthen capacities of central bank summed up
The drafting of a new banking law that enables the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) to issue secondary normative documents to regulate the prudential requirements applying to commercial banks is one of the most important results of a twinning project implemented with financial support from the EU during two years. The results were presented in a project round-up event on May 30. Among the results are also the working out of the internal regulations of the NBM, which allow efficiently fulfilling the duty to survey and modify the organizational structure of the central bank, and increasing surveyors’ and bank representatives’ knowledge of the Basel III framework.
Fuel prices go up
The National Agency for Energy Regulation announced the fuel price ceilings for the next two weeks. As of May 31, a liter of gasoline will cost by 0.24 lei more, while of diesel fuel by 0.29 lei more. The price ceiling per liter of unleaded gasoline 95 was set at 17.14 lei. The diesel fuel will cost at most 14.69 lei a liter.
● THURSDAY, June 1
Citizens will access online information about implementation of DCFTA
The citizens could access online updated information about the progress made by Moldova in implementing the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA). In this regard, a group of experts worked out a platform to monitor the implementation of the DCFTA. Under the document, the mechanism will enable the general public to interactively access online updated information about the progress made in carrying out the DCFTA. Currently, the database is supplemented with information that comes from the Government and the process is to be completed in July.
Private individuals to cross border with goods worth up to €800
The private individuals will be able to cross the border with goods to the value of at most €800 without paying customs duties. So far the ceiling was of €300. The Government explained that such a decision was taken because the ceiling hasn’t been modified for a long period of time and cannot be now justified by the economic realities.
Beneficiary of “PARE 1+1” program opens center for children
A private educational center for children was inaugurated in Chisinau on June 1, 2017. The launch of the business was financially supported by the state through the program to attract remittances to the economy “PARE 1+1”. Of the investment of over 1 million lei, the state contributed 200,000 lei. Tatiana Zinchenko, who started the business, said the idea to set up such a center appeared long ago. To put it into practice, she needed the financial support of parents who work abroad and of her husband. “Owing to my five-year-old daughter, who didn’t go to kindergarten, I decided to implement such a project. Subjects ranging from the Romanian language to choreography and gymnastics will be taught here at the highest level, by the best specialists,” stated Tatiana Zinchenko.
● FRIDAY, June 2
Government follows European experts’ recommendations on accreditation
The Government approved changes to the Law on Accreditation and Compliance Assessment. These refer to the appointment of the members of the Accreditation Council of the National Accreditation Center (MOLDAC). The assessors of the European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA) ascertained that the members of the Accreditation Council are too dependent on the Government as the composition of the Council is approved by the Ministry of Economy and this works based on regulations formulated by the Ministry.
Japan provides US$4.8m for developing conservation agriculture
Japan will offer Moldova US$4.8 million worth of grants for developing conservation agriculture, in particular for purchasing agricultural machines and equipment. Parliament on June 2 adopted a bill to ratify the grant agreement in two readings. Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry Veaceslav Cernat said the project derives from the agricultural development priorities stipulated in the National Agricultural and Rural Development Strategy for 2014-2020. In particular, the Japanese grant will be used to increase the volume of humus and to conserve soil moisture given that the droughts are rather often in Moldova.
