● MONDAY, May 8

National program on competition and state aid approved

The Government agreed the national program on competition and state aid for 2017- 2020, proposed by the Competition Council. The authors aim to develop a fair competition environment and to institute a modern mechanism for the provision and monitoring of state aid. The program sets out 37 objectives that are to be achieved by the Competition Council, the central and local public authorities and business entities. Based on the document, the national legislation that regulates business activity will be adjusted so that this is compatible with the Competition Law. There will be identified the entities that will be empowered with exclusive rights at the national and local levels and optimized the system of exclusive rights and financing with the public resources of state-owned and municipal enterprises.

● WEDNESDAY, May 10

Pavel Filip calls on Czech companies to invest in Moldova

The Republic of Moldova and the Czech Republic have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in energy efficiency and other related sectors. The document was signed during Prime Minister Pavel Filip’s visit to the Czech Republic, paid at the invitation of his counterpart Bohuslav Sobotka. The officials considered possibilities of stimulating bilateral trade and the export of wine products, the Czech Republic being one of the target markets for Moldovan winemakers. According to the Government’s press service, Prime Minister Pavel Filip expressed his readiness to contribute to the more active involvement of Czech companies in the national economy and to the creation of a favorable climate for investment. The Premier noted the assistance that the Czech Government provides to the key sectors of the Moldovan economy, underlining the cooperation in the implementation of the Winemaking and Winegrowing Register, in the area of internal affairs, etc.

“Cricova” to export 20 types of wine products to Russia

The wine complex “Cricova” could export 20 types of wine products to the Russian Federation. A decision to this effect was taken by Russia’s food safety watchdog Rospotrebnadzor following the examination of documents and testing of wine samples proposed by “Cricova”. As a result of lab tests, 20 types of wine products presented by the Moldovan winemaker were authorized for being exported to Russia.

SMEs taught how to export to EU

Managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the agrifood and food products processing sector during three days will be taught by European experts how to export to the European Union. The training seminars will be held at the SME Academy that was launched by the Chamber of Trade and Industry in cooperation with the EU-funded East Invest 2 Project. Chamber of Trade and Industry deputy chairman Mihai Balba, in the opening of the SME Academy, said any national producer should find a niche on the EU market and should identify methods for promoting their products. The training within the East Invest 2 Project will facilitate export from Moldova to the EU. Last year, 65% of Moldova’s exports went to the EU. To penetrate the EU market, one should have competitive and high-quality products and skilled employees.

● THURSDAY, May 11

“Moldexpo” to host three international agrifood exhibitions in May 

Three international specialized exhibitions will be mounted at the international exhibitions center “Moldexpo” in May under the aegis of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry. These are the 24th exhibit “Food&Drinks”, the 24th exhibit “Food Technology” and the 22nd exhibit “Packaging. Depot”. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, the events will be held during May 17-21 and will include a series of roundtable meetings, thematic seminars to promote national products, the subsidization of agricultural producers, quality of food, etc.

● FRIDAY, May 12

Losses reported in agriculture do not coincide with expert appraisals, official 

The losses that were reportedly sustained in agriculture as a result of the late April snowfalls are different from those assessed by experts of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry. There were situations when district divisions reported losses of 100%, but examinations on the spot showed only 10% of the crops were damaged. The Ministry decided to constitute two commissions for verifying the information coming from districts – a commission for horticulture and another one for phitotechny. In a news conference, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Iurie Usurelu said additional inspections will be organized to determine the real extent of damage caused in agriculture. Division head Vasile Sarban said the areas of sunflower seeds that were flooded as a result of the sudden melting of snow weren’t affected as seriously as it was initially anticipated as the plants at that time didn’t develop roots and can thus continue their normal growth.

● SATURDAY, May 13

Operators of Moldova – Italy road routes urged to legalize business 

Road carriers are invited to submit applications to get authorizations for running Moldova – Italy road passenger routes to the Ministry of Transport and Road Infrastructure by August 10, 2017. According to the Ministry, the file must contain an application, the copy of the registration certificates of vehicles that will run on routes, the proposed schedule and stopping places, the traversed border crossing points, length of travel, contract in the Romanian signed with an Italian road transport carrier, fares, information required by the Italian anti-mafia legislation, etc.