● MONDAY, October 2

T1 transit declarations in electronic format only. The T1 customs transit declarations from October 1 can be submitted only in an electronic format at all the customs posts of Moldova. According to the Customs Service, the elimination of paper declarations will lead to a reduction in the clearance time and the period of staying in customs posts and to lower costs incurred by business entities for brokerage services. The T1 transit declarations are valid for goods that are transported by railroad or road, except for goods transported under the TIR procedure. They do not apply to transit goods transported by private individuals that are exempted from paying import/export duties, parcel post goods intended for private individuals and goods transported by mail. From September 8, the T1 goods transit declarations at the customs posts Centru – Chisinau 3, Sculeni – Sculeni, Otaci–Moghiliov-Podolisk, and Sud – Cahul have been presented in an electronic format only.

Moldova Business Week begins in Chisinau Oct. 3

About 1,000 participants representing over 20 states will take part in the fourth Moldova Business Week that will be held in Chisinau during October 3-6, 2017. The Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodimir Groisman is expected to take part in the event on its last day. In a press briefing on October 2, Deputy Prime Minister Octavian Calmac, Minister of Economy and Infrastructure, said that 30 meetings will be held during the four-day event. These will involve businessmen, government officials, representatives of the local authorities, etc. There will be staged panel discussions that will center on investment and promotion of Moldova’s exports. A trip to Free Economic Zones will be organized on one of the days of the Business Week. On October 4, there will be staged a Moldovan-Italian investment forum, while on October 5 a forum dedicated to Moldova’s exports. An international specialized conference on the development of SMEs will take place on October 6. According to Octavian Calmac, the Moldova Business Week is one of the most important events that promote the country’s image abroad. It contributes to intensifying the dialogue between the public and private sectors and making it more transparent and to promoting exports and attracting foreign investment.

World Bank estimates economic growth of 3.5% in Moldova in 2017

The World Bank anticipates that Moldova’s economy will grow by 3.5 percent in 2017, driven by strong private consumption and a good harvest. Strengthening growth in the medium-term will depend on the restructuring of the financial and energy sector and efficiency of public finances. The conclusions were formulated in an event held to present the economic outlook for Moldova on October 2. Economist Marcel Chistruga said that in the first half of 2017, real GDP increased by 2.8 percent mainly driven by private consumption. The recovery in remittances, strong growth in wages and the indexation of pensions in 2016 drove consumption growth (+3.6%, y/y). Despite robust exports (+14.6%, y/y), supported by the good harvest of 2016 and a weaker Leu, imports increased 13.9%, resulting in a negative contribution from net exports to growth. Fixed investment rebounded from its sharp decline in 2016, and grew 4.8%, y/y. The build-up in inventories added another 2.3 percentage points to overall growth. On the production side, with stagnating industry, the main growth impulse came from retail and wholesale trade, while agriculture contracted in the first half of 2017 by 4.1%, y/y. Thanks to the reinvested incomes, the net direct investments rose to 2.2% of the GDP, from 1.6% at the end of 2016. After the decline of 2016, remittances grew by 10.5%. The external debt remained the main source of financing the current account deficit. Owing to the appreciation of the leu, the external debt decreased by 5.7 percentage points to almost 92% of the GDP. According to Marcel Chistruga, the current account deficit increased to 9.3 percent of GDP from 5.9 percent a year earlier driven by stronger imports growth than export performance. On account of reinvested revenues, net direct investments reached 2.2% of GDP, from 1.6% at end-2016. After decline in 2016, remittances increased 10.5%. External debt remained the main source of current account deficit financing. Due to Leu appreciation, external debt decreased by 0.6 percentage points to almost 92 percent of GDP. The economy is expected to grow 3.5 percent during 2017, supported by good harvest and strong private consumption on the back of higher remittances and private and public wage growth. Despite favorable exports developments, the contribution of net trade to GDP growth is likely to remain negative as imports are rapidly expanding. In 2017, with lower external assistance from the EU, the fiscal deficit is forecasted to remain below the planned 3 percent of GDP. Strong revenue performance is expected to offset higher public spending. Should additional international support materialize, public investments will increase further. The revitalization of foreign inflows, and improvements in the financial sector and in the business environment are expected to encourage further private investments. Marcel Chistruga also said that key downside risks to the baseline outlook include a slowdown in the implementation of key growth-enhancing reforms, including those related to the restructuring of the financial and energy sector and to the efficiency of public finances. World Bank Country Manager for Moldova Anna Akhalkatsi said the economic outlooks are an important component of the WB’s activity and these are made once in six months. “This is an opportunity for us to analyze the state of economy, the economic tendencies and to make particular medium-term forecasts. It is important for our program and our political dialogue with the Government. We also offer this document to the development partners and the mass media so that the tendencies are known and measures are taken in this regard,” stated Anna Akhalkatsi. World Bank Group Country Director for Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine Satu Kahkonen said the only possibility to increase the level of incomes in Moldova is to continue the decisive reforms, despite the fact that next year will be an electoral one.

21m lei collected into budget after selling confiscated property and currency

More than 21 million lei was collected into the state budget in the first eight months of this year after selling confiscated property and currency, as opposed to over 7 million lei in the corresponding period last year. The State Tax Service most often has to sell tobacco products, industrial goods, alcoholic beverages and foods. In a response the State Tax Service said the confiscated goods are transmitted to it by the bodies of the Ministry of the Interior, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the National Anticorruption Center, bailiffs and the Security and Intelligence Service. The confiscated goods are sold through the Universal Commodity Exchange of Moldova, through consignation, based on the sale-purchase contract or on a contest basis. The goods that hold no commercial interest or are not in demand on the market are transmitted gratis to child protection, reintegration and family support divisions, children’s homes, residential institutions for persons with disabilities and other institutions based on the decision of a special commission, except for the goods that are to be destroyed in accordance with the legislation.

● TUESDAY, October 3

Gasoline to become cheaper, diesel fuel to grow more expensive

The National Agency for Energy Regulation announced the fuel price ceilings for the next two weeks. Thus, between October 4 and 17 inclusive, the price ceiling for a liter of gasoline will be by 0.31 lei lower, while for a liter of diesel fuel will be by 0.21 lei higher. A liter of gasoline coded 95 will cost at most 17.20 lei, as opposed to 17.51 lei during the past two weeks. The diesel fuel will be sold for at most 15.41 lei a liter, as against 15.20 lei now. The Agency requests to report cases when filling stations post higher prices than the ceilings on the green line +373 800 10 800 or through the email address anre@anre.md.

Moldova is much more prepared to attract foreign investment, Octavian Calmac

Moldova is much more prepared to attract foreign investment compared with the previous years. The authorities made effort to restore the relations with foreign investors and to persuade them analyze the opportunities in Moldova, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Octavian Calmac said in the opening of the Moldova Business Week that is held in Chisinau during October 3-6. According to Octavian Calmac, over 55% of the investments that reach Moldova now come from the EU member states that have investment traditions. This means that the foreign businesspeople see a potential in the Moldovan economy. During the last ten years, Moldova has annually witnessed a growth of 2.6% in investments. “The volume of investments in the Republic of Moldova, even if it didn’t reach the level of 2007-2008, before the global economic crisis, follows an upward trend,” he stated. Attending the event, Prime Minister Pavel Filip said for the Government he heads it is important to offer the investors more possibilities. The Cabinet promoted a number of relevant initiatives that were supported by Parliament. “We have a growing industry. I encourage the guests from abroad that are looking for extension opportunities and want competitive labor force to profoundly and seriously analyze the potential of the Republic of Moldova,” stated the Premier. Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Peter Michalko noted that the EU, by having signed the Association Agreement that includes the Free Trade Agreement, contributes to the development of the Moldovan business sector. Moldova should continue to do reforms so as to increase the investors’ access to the Moldovan market. “The EU will continue to request that the Government of the Republic of Moldova should ensure the reforms needed in the following key sectors: justice and the rule of law, reduction in the cost of doing business, improvement of the business climate, fair competition,” stated Peter Michalko. Director of the Moldova Investment Attraction and Expert Promotion Organization (MIEPO) Vitalie Zaharia said that this year’s edition of the Moldova Business Week focuses on the enhancement of competitiveness of local producers, rise and diversification of exports and improvement of the business climate foe attracting investment. Five forums, 20 presentation sessions, bilateral meetings and discussions and fact-finding visits to Moldova’s region will be staged during four days. About 1,000 participants representing over 20 states are taking part in the Moldova Business Week 2017, the fifth edition. The Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodimir Groisman is expected to take part in the event on October 6.

CMC to settle debts to creditors of bankrupt municipal enterprise

About 5 million lei will be allocated from the municipal budget of Chisinau for clearing the debts to creditors of the bankrupt municipal enterprise SA “Autocomtrans”. Such a decision was taken in the October 3 meeting of the Chisinau Municipal Council (CMC). Veaceslav Bulat, municipal councilor on behalf of the European People’s Party of Moldova, will represent the CMC at the general assembly of the enterprise’s creditors. The debt settling transaction is to be later approved by court and to be countersigned by the acting mayor general of Chisinau. Tudor Tofan, senior specialist of the Legal Assistance Division, said there are two possible developments in the case of the municipal enterprise. The first is the restructuring of the enterprise by identifying an economic entity that would propose a business plan and the auctioning of the property of the enterprise and its liquidation. SA “Autocomtrans” was founded in 1996. The CMC is a majority shareholder with a holding of 58.25%.

● WEDNESDAY, October 4

Quota on plum export to EU fully used

As many as 10,400 tonnes of fresh and dried plums have been exported to the EU by October 1 this year, the National Food Safety Agency has said. Thus, the plum export quota of 10,000 tonnes was fully used. Compared with last year, Moldova’s plum exports to the EU rose by 40%. To be able to fulfill the contractual obligations towards the European partners, the Moldovan fruit growers asked to increase the export quota on plums. The largest quantities of fresh and dried plums were supplied to Romania (4,240 tonnes), Poland (4,300), Latvia (610) and the Czech Republic (373). Currently, the Moldovan plums are sold in ten EU member states. Plums are exported by 96 companies. A considerable quantity of fruit was exported to Russia – 18,415 tonnes, down 9,000 tonnes compared with last year. For the first time this year, Moldova exported plums to the U.S., Canada, Iraq and other states.

Forum of Moldovan-Italian companies held within Moldova Business Week

Italy is the third most important commercial partner of Moldova with a trading volume of about US$ 300 million in the first half of this year. Moldova hosts over 700 companies with Italian capital and the investments made by these companies come to about US$ 90 million. The statistics were presented in the fifth Forum of Italian Companies and Joint Moldovan-Italian Companies that held within the Moldova Business Week. According to Deputy Minister of Economy and Infrastructure Vitalie Iurcu, Moldova banks on Italian investments and will continue its reform agenda so as to attract these. Thus, the number of permissive acts required in Moldova will continue to be reduced. The state inspection regulation reform will be continued. The number of agencies with inspection duties was reduced from 67 to 18. Starting with 2018, the number of reports that the companies will have to present annually will be decreased to one. Italy’s Ambassador to Moldova Valeria Biagiotti said the continuous dialogue between institutions and entrepreneurs is fundamental. Italy confirmed that it is a key partner of Moldova. The Italian presence in Moldova should continue to grow and the countries should profit including from the benefits provided by the Association Agreement with the EU in the business sector. EU Ambassador to Moldova Peter Michalko noted that this event is a perfect opportunity for developing the economic and cooperation relations between the two states. The EU works alongside the Moldovan authorities to continue the reforms that would provide conditions for business and investment. These actions would help transform Moldova into a powerful and competitive partner, including from economic viewpoint. Nicolae Marza, the representative of a joint Moldovan-Italian cheese company, said that if Moldova was certified to export milk products to the EU, this would be an advantage. In the absence of this opportunity, Moldova is the only market for the company. The fifth Forum of Italian Companies and Joint Moldovan-Italian Companies brought together about 100 representatives of the Italian business community working in Moldova. The event is organized by the Embassy of Italy in Chisinau in cooperation with the Moldovan-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Italian-Moldovan Chamber of Commerce.

Residents of Larga help reconstruct agrifood market for northern Moldova

The inhabitants of northern Moldova have a modern agrifood market owing to the contribution made by inhabitants of Larga commune to the reconstruction and repair of the local market. The market in Larga, which was inaugurated on October 4, includes a meat and dairy hall and a fruit and vegetables hall, as well as about 50 places at stalls. According to a press release of the Migration and Local Development Project implemented by UNDP Moldova, the total budget of the project to renovate the market was of over 555,000 lei, 85,000 lei of which was the contribution made by locals, over 387,000 lei by the Government of Switzerland lei, while 65,000 lei by the Larga mayor’s office. Mayor of Larga Radu Urechian said the people in three neighboring villages will benefit from better conditions at the market in Larga. The village also hosts the only business incubator in a rural area. The renovation of the market will further stimulate local economic development and will help create new jobs. Besides the renovated market, with support from UNDP Moldova the Larga mayor’s office created the webpage www.agro-bazar.md, which aims to offer the possibility of purchasing local products at a distance. The renovation of the market in Larga is one of the 23 projects implemented in 18 villages and five towns of the country, owing to which over 200,000 people benefit from better street lighting services, household waste collection, recreation, etc.

Government approves signing of Additional Protocol to CMR

The Government approved a bill to sign the Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR) concerning the electronic waybill that was formulated in Geneva in February 2008. Moldova joined this Convention by the Parliament decision of March 2, 1993. The objective of the Additional Protocol is to facilitate the optimal compilation of the waybill for transported goods. The cooperation and coordination between the signatory parties will be optimized with the aim of increasing freight transport by improving the conditions of organizing the transportation process, the legal framework, etc. So far, the protocol, which is an interstate document, has been ratified by 13 states, namely Austria, Belgium, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Spain, Germany and Italy. The costs related to the implementation of the Protocol will be covered with money that is annually earmarked in the budget of the Customs Service. The Service already has the information systems needed to optimize the process of issuing and completing the waybill e-CMR. The bill is to be adopted by Parliament.

Facilitated access for ground handling service providers to airports in Moldova

The Cabinet approved regulations that ease access to ground handling services at Moldovan airports in a move to reduce exploitation costs and to improve the quality of services provided to air services users. To be able to work at the airports in Moldova, the service providers should be residents of the country and should possess a ground handling company certificate. Airlines will be able to sign ground handling services contracts by themselves. The new regulations apply to airports where annual traffic totals at least 2 million passengers or 50,000 tonnes of goods. Ground handling services include ground administration and surveillance, passenger assistance, luggage and correspondence handling, preparing of aircraft for takeoff and landing and others. The approval of the regulations is specified in the national plan for harmonizing the legislation that was undertaken by signing the Common Aviation Area Agreement between Moldova and the EU member states.

Draft fiscal-customs policy for 2018 approved

The Cabinet approved the draft fiscal and customs policy document for 2018. The document defines a new mythology for keeping a record of fixed assets and suggests introducing a reduced VAT of 8% on heat produced from solid biofuel for public institutions and exempting from VAT the supplies of fuel and goods intended for ships involved in international transport that fly under the Moldovan colors. Also, milk producers could be refunded the value added tax. New taxable income rates were set for private individuals, while the personal exemption was increased. Thus, in 2018 the personal exemption for private individuals will be 11,280 lei, as opposed to 10,620 lei in 2017, while for maintained persons will rise from 2,340 lei to 2,530 lei. The taxable income rates will increase from 31,140 lei this year to 33,000 lei in 2018. The taxation rates remain 7% for incomes lower than 33,000 lei and 18% for those larger than this sum. It is introduced a 5% tax on the incomes of citizens who supply business entities with agricultural products. The property tax will now cover vehicles with a value higher than 1.5 million lei. The fiscal and customs concessions for duty-free shops working in Moldova or on the border will be eliminated as of July 1, 2018. The holders of such license will work until the license expires. The fiscal and customs policy for 2018 is to be adopted by Parliament.

Moldova’s Railways to be reorganized by division into three enterprises

The Government approved the strategy for restructuring the railway sector and the state-run company “Moldova’s Railways” for 2018-2021. The document allows for the initiation of the reorganization of the company by division into three independent joint stock companies in charge of infrastructure, passengers and freight. The move will enable to strictly separate the tasks, to guarantee the independence of the companies and to orient these to competitiveness in business, says the informative note to the bill. Among the objectives are the creation of the Railway Agency and Accidents Investigation Authority, opening of the railway market of Moldova to private players and attraction of new railway operators.

Air Moldova launches new flight Nov. 23

As of November 23, Air Moldova will operate direct flights from Chisinau to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is the 29th air destination of the company. The flight will be operated twice a week, on Monday and Thursday, by an Airbus 319 aircraft, with reference to a press release of the airline. The plan will take off from Chisinau at 9:50pm and will land in Dubai at 4:50am. The departure from Dubai will be at 6:50am, while the landing in Chisinau will be at 10:10am. The price of a one-way ticket will be €159 and up, with all taxes included. Tickets will be available as of October 6.

Top Prize in wine industry to be awarded to Cricova Complex

The Top Prize in the wine industry this year will be conferred on the Cricova Complex. The decision approved by the Cabinet says the Top Prize is provided to this company for special merits in manufacturing high-quality wines, for perpetuation of traditions and excellent quality of national wines, promotion of Moldova’s image of winegrowing and winemaking country abroad and for contribution to developing Moldovan wine tourism. The Cricova Complex possesses 600 ha of vineyards, including with national sorts. The Top Prize in the wine industry is traditionally awarded on the National Wine Day. This year the holiday is celebrated on October 7-8.

● THURSDAY, October 5

Agroecology to be promoted in Moldova within pilot project

Policies and strategies to regulate agroecology will be worked out in Moldova to enable to promote agroecological practices. In this regard, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations on October 5 launched a pilot project that will last until June 2018. This has a budget of US$ 125,000. Field studies will be carried out within the project to identify areas where to promote conservation agriculture and to fully protect the plants. A number of farmers’ associations will be familiarized with agroecological techniques and initiatives. “We aim to intensify vegetal production and to promote agroecological approaches in rural areas and agricultural communities,” FAO Regional Office representative Avetik Nersisyan said in the event held to launch the project in Chisinau. Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Ion Parea said agroecology is a necessity for guaranteeing sustainable agriculture and a resistant alimentation system. “This project is a step towards the economic consolidation of rural areas. It is also a commitment to protect biodiversity and to sustainably manage the natural resources,” he stated. People of science explain that agroecology is the rational exploitation by people of natural resources. Specialists speak about the necessity of establishing a closer tie between man and nature and of rationally using the natural resources.

Chisinau hosts Forum of Exporters 2017

The CIS states remain an important market for Moldovan products and the free trade agreements with these countries enable to export with fewer impediments. When the country is small, exports can contribute to economic growth, Deputy Minister of Economy Vitalie Iurcu said in the fifth Forum of Exporters that was held in Chisinau on October 5 as part of the Moldova Business Week 2017. According to the deputy minister, even if Moldova’s exports of fruit, vegetables and medicinal and pharmaceutical products decreased in 2016 compared with 2015, trade in communications, information and business services improved. “The CIS market anyway remains an important one, including after the signing of the DCFTA agreement that contributed to the diversification of Moldova’s exports, which exports to the European Union rising from 35% in 2000 to 65% in 2016,” stated Vitalie Iurcu. Iurie Fala, executive director of “Moldova Fruct” Association, said that a lot has been invested lately in fruit processing. Besides the climate change that brings risks, there is also the challenge of diversification of markets. “Not only the producers have to cope with these challenges, but also the state institutions that should do the necessary reforms and channel the support to priority areas. Today we bank on the support of the state and, surely, of the EU partners,” he stated. National Office of Vine and Wine vice director Vladimir Grosu said that even if wine production increases, the exports and production volumes were larger in the past. In the future, the National Office of Vine and Wine will concentrate its efforts on the export of wine to four key markets, namely Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and China. The forum brought together representatives of about 250 national and foreign companies operating in such areas as agro-industry, light industry and car making.

● FRIDAY, October 6

Pavel Filip: Budget revenues in 2017 are by 4bn lei higher than last year

The Republic of Moldova this year collected into the state budget by 4 billion lei more than last year. Thus, even if the country does not benefit from the €100 million in macro-financial assistance from the EU, the investment projects will continue to be implemented, Prime Minister Pavel Filip stated in the program “Moldova live” on the public TV channel Moldova 1. “We now rectified the budget and did the calculations without taking into account the macro-financial assistance. No investment projects will be affected because we already managed to mobilize and to organize the country’s economy so that the budget revenues grew more than we expected,” stated the Premier. Pavel Filip noted that there are 30 conditions that should be fulfilled by the Republic of Moldova for obtaining all the three tranches of the macro-financial assistance of €100 million from the European Union. “We admit that we could fail to receive the money this year, but we will get them next year,” he said. Political commentator Anatol Taranu said the Government does not encounter big problems in the relations with the International Monetary Fund. “The IMF does not formulate criticism similar to that leveled by the European Parliament,” he stated.

Neighboring states prefer plums and grapes, while CIS countries like apples better

The preferences of foreigners put the Moldovan fruit into different classes by sorts and geography. The plums and grapes are preferred by the neighboring states, except for the CIS states, such as Romania, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia and now also the states of Western Europe. Apples are exported mainly to the Eastern states, especially the CIS, executive director of the Association of Fruit Producers and Exporters “Moldova Fruct” Iurie Fala stated. According to Iurie Fala, the export market for apples is slightly different because the EU is a key producer and player in the apples sector. The EU turns into a serious competitor and this has an impact on the selling prices. The diversification of the export markets is a challenge for the Moldovan producers because the process implies the adjustment and orientation of fruit exports to a number of destinations. At the same time, the extreme weather conditions and the shortage of labor force are also challenges for the Moldovan fruit exporters and producers. “This worries us. In order to offset somehow the negative effect, labor productivity should be improved by implementing technologies that would diminish manual work in the fruit growing sector,” stated the director of “Moldova Fruct. Iurie Fala considers the fruit producers should yet work to diversify export markets. They should learn to trade with more distant states and not be afraid of possible risks because the internationalization of trade in fruit following the chaotic trade through shop chains will bring only benefits. “These challenges should be dealt with not only by producers, but also by the state institutions that should do the necessary reforms and provide support in the key areas. We here count indeed on state support and, surely, on the support of the partners from the EU. The development partners, such as the donors, should also concentrate their efforts on increasing competitiveness,” stated Iurie Fala. He added that the international standards do not scare the fruit producers and exporters of Moldova because they passed the EU’s “quality test” long ago. At the same time, the selling of Moldovan fruit in shops in Russia, which sometimes impose higher standards than the EU ones, represents an additional proof in this regard.

Go ahead for building agritourist pensions on farmland

The owners of farmland will have the right to build on this agritourist pensions without changing the purpose of the land on condition that the land owner has been involved in farming for at least five years. This is provided in a bill to amend the Land Code that was passed by MPs in the first reading. Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Vasile Luca said the bill enables the owners of farmland to build tourist accommodation facilities in rural areas without changing the purpose of the land. Moreover, one of the conditions is for the menus intended for tourists to include products grown on the given farmland. Vasile Luca noted that the opening of agritourist pensions will enable to create jobs in rural areas in the non-agricultural sector. A condition for these pensions is to ensure a three-star level of comfort and service quality. Also, at least one agricultural activity, such as animal breeding, cultivation of different types of plans and fruit growing, should be carried out within the agritourist pension. In the debates in Parliament, some of the MPs opposed introducing the condition of at least five years of farming as this places obstacles to foreign investors who would like to start businesses in Moldova. Vasile Luca replied that the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment considers the five-year term is enough for showing that the land owners really intends to perform agricultural activities and the goal of the project – to enable to carry out activities as an alternative to agricultural ones – will be thus achieved. In such circumstances, the imposed term will reduce the risk of simulating farming with the aim of practicing tourist activities.

Inhabitants of Cahul to pay more for water

The residents of Cahul town from October 6 will pay by 15% on average more for the water supply and sewerage services provided by SA “Apa-Canal – Cahul”. The National Agency for Energy Regulation’s decision by which the charges were raised was published in the Official Gazette. From today, the inhabitants of Cahul will pay 13.87 lei per cubic meter of water, as opposed to 12.12 lei/m3 until now. Business entities will pay 22.45 lei/m3, as against 19.50 lei/m3 so far. For sewerage services, the household users will pay 5.96 lei/m3, while business entities 15.30 lei/m3, up 0.96 and, respectively, 0.30 lei. The water charges in Cahul haven’t been raised since 2008. SA “Apa-Canal – Cahul” asked that the water and sewerage charges should be increased by 46.6%.

Intelligent specialization for developing entrepreneurship in Moldova

For the Republic of Moldova, it is imperative to adopt a new methodology for developing entrepreneurship, namely intelligent specialization, which involves the identification of the advantages of each region and mobilization of the key players around a common view. The intelligent specialization strategies represent a powerful instrument for dealing with social, climatic and energy challenges, such as demographic changes, limited natural resources, energy security and others. The subject was discussed in an international conference of small and medium-sized enterprises that was staged by the Organization for the Development of the Sector of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. The Organization’s director Iulia Iabanji said that within intelligent specialization each country looks for and identifies those areas with which it is able to compete at global level. “We think we should look at this step not as at an obligation, but as at a necessary approach and a chance of economic orientation that will enable Moldovan companies to compete internationally. If this does not happen, Moldova will continue to be the country that provides cheap labor force. In this connection, in the immediate period, by concerted effort we should identify and focus on the utilization of competitive advantages that would favor the extension of the SMEs in the Republic of Moldova,” noted Iulia Iabanji. “The goal of today’s conference is to present the socioeconomic potential of the regions of the Republic of Moldova and to identify instruments to support the reorientation of the industrial organizations to the emerging fields and international markets”. Attending the event, Deputy Prime Minister Octavian Calmac, Minister of Economy and Infrastructure, said with reference to intelligent specialization that Moldova should lay emphasis on the own traditions that it should put to good use. Good ideas should be put into practice with the support of the state so that these ideas ultimately become a profitable business. EU Ambassador to Moldova Peter Michalko said the European Union, as the most important commercial, economic and political partner of the Republic of Moldova, supports initiatives aimed at contributing to the successful development of the business sector and at bringing benefits to the Moldovan citizens by consolidating the SME sector. Moldova pledged to adopt intelligent specialization strategies by 2020, with technical support from the European Commission.

● SATURDAY, October 7

IFC provides technical assistance to Moldova

The legislative body voted to ratify the agreement of consultancy between the Government of the Republic of Moldova, represented by the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure, and the International Finance Corporation that was signed on July 24, 2017. Under the agreement, the IFC will offer technical assistance to Moldova to the value of US$ 3.2 million. The Government will contribute 5% of the sum, while the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure will provide logistic support. Angela Susanu, secretary of state at the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure, said in Parliament that the agreement’s general objectives are to improve the business climate in agriculture and to enhance the competitiveness of the private sector’s market with the aim of increasing exports and investments in Moldova. The agreement also envisions the provision of consultancy services in three key areas, namely improvement of the business climate, strengthening of market access with emphasis on the agro-industrial sector and enhancement of investment protection. The agreement will take effect when the IFC receives, through diplomatic channels, the Government’s confirmation of the fulfillment of the internal procedures needed for this to come into force.