● MONDAY, October 30
New opportunities for buying state-owned assets
An outcry auction to sell 17 state-owned shareholdings was opened at the Moldova Stock Exchange on October 27 and will continue until December 1. It is held within the third privatization round announced this year by the Public Property Agency that was recently transferred under the direct management of the Government. Among the shareholdings put up for sale are those in SA ”Barza Alba” (100%), SA ”Comert - Petrol” (100%), SA ”Tutun – CTC” (90.8%), the enterprises ”Drumuri” of Cimislia, Soroca, Rascani and Cahul and SA ”Fabrica de lactate” of Nisporeni (19.7%). The third privatization round includes a traditional auction to sell 29 facilities, including nine state-run companies, such as the Chisinau glass factory ”Fabrica de Sticla”, the Polygraphic Complex and IS ”Flori” of Sangera, and 19 real estate complexes and one unfinished building. This will take place until November 22 and bids can be submitted until November 21. There will also be held a commercial contest to sell 12 publicly owned facilities and an investment contest to sell the cinemas “Prut” of Falesti and ”Patria” of Leova and IS ”Vestmoldtransgaz” that was founded to transport natural gas through the Iasi – Ungheni gas pipeline and is to design the Ungheni – Chisinau gas pipeline. The initial selling price is 180 million lei. The potential investor is to make investments of €93 million during two years. A total of 61 facilities estimated at 2 billion lei are exhibited for sale within the third privatization round. A sum of 200 million lei was projected to be collected from the privatization of state-owned property as state revenues this year. Property to the value of over 121 million lei was sold during the first two rounds.
Moldova High Value Agriculture Project identifies shortcomings in regulatory framework for series of value chains
The regulatory framework for a series of analyzed value chains (apples, table grapes, seed fruit, vegetables grown in open field and in hothouses, etc.) is rather permissive and tends to ease the administrative efforts of agricultural producers. However, there are areas and processes that are not sufficiently regulated and this causes obstacles to farmers. The conclusions were formulated as a result of an analysis of the regulations, which centered on the time, cost, actions and necessary accompanying documents. The mapping performed by the USAID-funded Moldova High Value Agriculture Project identified shortcomings in the regulatory framework concerning the recognition of groups of producers in the business registration process. At the business supply stage, the procedures for testing and registering sorts of plants turned out to be rather complicated even if the plants are already registered in the EU Common Catalogue of Plant Varieties. At the production and processing stage, there is no efficient control over the producers of saplings and plantlets. This leads to the appearance and sale of young trees and plants of a poor quality. There are no regulations concerning saplings, requirements for apicultural products, etc. The USAID-funded Moldova High Value Agriculture Project aims to help agricultural producers to enhance the competitiveness of national high-value agricultural products and to increase sales on the domestic and international markets.
Banking system is vulnerable, while recovery of stolen funds is slow, experts
The vulnerability of the banking system is due to nontransparent shareholding, poor management and internal governance, unsatisfactory internal procedures and rules and inefficient mechanisms for combating money laundering. The liquidation of these vulnerabilities should be the main policy of the National Bank of Moldova during the next two-three years, Transparency International Moldova and the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul” say in a monitoring report on the developments in the financial-banking sector in December 2016 – October 2017. In a news conference, Veaceslav Ionita, one of the report authors, said that starting with 2014 until present, a clear regulatory mechanism could not be identified in the banking system. The system does not fulfill its main duty – to lend money to the economy. The credit risk is also a major vulnerability of the banking system. In the monitored period, the number of non-performing loans rose by 65%, representing 17.2% of the credit portfolio, which decreased by 9%. The credit risk in 2017 continues to be significant. Special attention should be paid to the method of primary repayment of loans and the quality of the secondary repayment source, namely the quality and value of credit insurance. Ex-minister of finance Veaceslav Negruta, another author of the report, said the economic effects of the banking fraud will persist for at least 24 years. The hurry in which that guarantee issued by the Government was assumed and the guarantee was converted into a state debt in September 2016 is one of the elements that generate numerous questions. A series of questions remain unanswered. One of them is why the guarantee was converted into debt when the first secret Government decision stipulated the period for which the guarantee was issued, while the second decision eliminated this period and this could become active only when all the measures to recover all the money from the three beneficiary banks have been taken. “We consider this moment hasn’t yet come as there are assets that can be recovered yet, including as part of international investigations,” noted Veaceslav Negruta. As to the Kroll investigation, the report authors said this is neglected by the competent authorities that investigate the banking frauds, while the second Kroll report is still being waited. Investigative journalist Mariana Rata said that debts of hundreds of millions of lei of business entities that took out loans from Banca de Economii, Banca Sociala and Unibank in 2010-2013 risk never being recovered through the liquidation of these companies with the transfer of assets to offshore areas. Even if they know about these cases, the prosecutors haven’t yet initiated criminal cases concerning the involvement of judges in schemes to enable companies to avoid repaying loans taken from the three banks under liquidation. Transparency International Moldova president Lilia Carasciuc said that on the one hand, there was adopted the legal framework that strengthens the banking system. On the other hand, changes were made to these shortly afterward. In such conditions, the question is whether the legal framework was amended in a hurry or the changes were made to promote group interests. “It was established that a part of the money has been recovered, surely minuscular compared with the total fraud. On the other hand, the money is recovered from the sale of assets. This is not the stolen money. And we thus see that the repayment of the stolen money will be made the people’s burden,” noted Lilia Carasciuc. According to her, the recovery of money all over the world is a complex process, but in Moldova’s case the people are told nice words so that they ultimately are made to repay the loans. “Viitorul” executive director Igor Munteanu said the process of recovering the money stagnates and the authorities should provide answers to a series of questions. There is the feeling that particular high-ranking officials want rather the people to forget about this fraud and to provide alternative agendas so that the stolen money is not recovered. The theft of the US$ 1 billion was possible through dubious schemes implemented at Banca de Economii, Unibank and Banca Sociala by issuing non-performing loans and aggressively attracting bank deposits from the population and by subsequently asking for emergency loans from the National Bank. In September 2016, by assuming responsibility, the Government approved the conversion of the guarantees issued in 2014 and 2015 for the emergency loans totaling 13.5 billion lei into state debts.
Credit risk is a major vulnerability of banking sector, report
The credit risk is one of the major vulnerabilities of the banking sector. The number of non-performing loans rose by 65% to 17.2% of the credit portfolio, which decreased by 9%. The figures are contained in a monitoring report on the developments in the financial-banking sector in December 2016 – October 2017 that was compiled by Transparency International Moldova and the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul”. One of the report authors Veaceslav Ionita, in a news conference, said the volume of non-performing loans during the past year rose by 1.87 billion lei or 44%, from 4.2 billion in 2016 to 6.07 billion in 2017. The rise followed the worsening of the situation at the three banks that are under special supervision – Moldindconbank, Moldova-Agroindbank and Victoriabank. The situation at the other banks didn’t change essentially. According to the expert, the credit risk in 2017 continues to be significant. Special attention should be further devoted to the non-performing loans, the method of primary repayment of these loans and the quality of the secondary repayment source, namely the quality and value of credit insurance. The report says that even if a number of legal acts were adopted, the insufficiency of legal provisions that would regulate the specific, complex, multidimensional and litigious conditions in the banking sector, especially at the three banks that are supervised by the National Bank of Moldova, does not allow solving a number of problems related to shareholder transparency and high risks for potential honest investors. The process of attracting investments to the sector is also delayed for objective and subjective macroeconomic reasons. According to the report, the investigation of the frauds, especially those committed in 2014-2015, is intentionally delayed by the authorities. There is social and political sensibility on the issue. The initiation of authentic investigations will catalyze a correct and legal process of holding accountable all the players involved in these frauds. The experts said that a series of attempts to legalize funds and assets coming from the embezzled funds as well were made in the course of 2017. Such attempts should be discouraged by involving institutions that deal with the combating of grand corruption and money laundering.
New legislation on financial-banking sector should be fully applied, experts
The new legislation on the financial-banking sector should be applied fully and in accordance with the spirit of these laws. As the laws were drafted on the insistence of the development partners with the aim of restoring confidence in the national banking system and all the external examination stages were passed, no ad-hoc changes should be made without consulting the development partners first, says a monitoring report on the developments in the financial-banking sector in December 2016 – October 2017 that was compiled by Transparency International Moldova and the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul”. In a news conference, ex-minister of finance Veaceslav Negruta, one of the report authors, said that new laws were adopted with the assistance of the development partners, including the law on banking resolution and the law on the common central securities depositary. In less than a year of the adoption, the first law was amended twice already, while the second once. This points to a hurry in the adoption process. At the same time, the Executive Committee of the National Bank of Moldova approved and amended a number of regulations. Several legislative initiatives that are considered by civil society and the development partners as noxious and contrary to the commitments assumed by the authorities because they amplify risks related to the legalization of ill-gotten gains appeared in the period. One of the initiatives, on the legalization of capital and fiscal stimulation, which was passed by Parliament in the first reading in December 2016 without holding public discussions and informing the development partners, is the most pertinent example of this category. Veaceslav Negruta said another bill, to amend the law on nationality, enables third persons, foreigners and stateless persons to obtain Moldovan nationality in exchange for contributions called “investments”, by derogation from the legal norms. Both of the bills were drafted by the same group of MPs headed by the Speaker of Parliament. The regulations for implementing the law on “nationality for investments” that were drafted by the Ministry of Justice and approved by the Government in September 2017 caused contradictory reactions in society because they offer the possibility of legalizing money of a dubious origin in Moldova. The report authors said a new law on money laundering is to be adopted as it is envisioned in the Moldova - EU Association Agreement. Transparency International Moldova president Lilia Carasciuc said that on the one hand, there was adopted the legal framework that strengthens the banking system. On the other hand, changes were made to this shortly afterward. In such conditions, the question is whether the legal framework was amended in a hurry or the changes were made to promote group interests.
Japan’s Metal Products to invest in Moldova
The Japanese company Metal Products, which is specialized in producing structural steel components, has plans to invest in making agricultural machinery in Moldova. The plans were announced by Metal Products Europe director general Susumu Watanabe in a meeting with Deputy Minister of Economy and Infrastructure Vitalie Iurcu. According to the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure, Vitalie Iurcu said that agriculture is an important sector of the national economy and the authorities are interested in offering opportunities to all the potential investors. In this regard, there were created seven Free Economic Zones that provide tax concessions and advantages to residents and investors. The deputy minister also said that the relations between Moldova and Japan continue to develop. An electrical cables factory of the Japanese company Sumitomo was recently opened in Straseni with investments of US$5 million and by creating 3,000 jobs. Also, Fujikura, which already created over 1,000 jobs, intends to open the second factory in southern Moldova and to create another 1,000 jobs. For his part, Susumu Watanabe, director general of Metal Products Europe, which is a branch of Metal Products, said the company started work in Moldova this year. It cooperates with two Moldovan specialists who were trained in Japan and intends to analyze the possibilities and advantages offered by Moldova for investing in a new project to make planting vehicles based on a modern no-till technology. Vitalie Iurcu noted that the Moldova side will provide all the assistance needed in opening the factory.
● TUESDAY, October 31
2,500 new jobs offered at automotive wiring factory in Orhei
An automotive wiring factory in the Orhei subzone of the Balti Free Economic Zone was inaugurated on October 30. The new production space, which is over 27,000 square meters in area, is an investment of €30 million made by the Japanese company Sumitomo Electric Bordnetze GmbH (SEBN). The factory provides 2,500 new jobs. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Pavel Filip. According to the Government’s press service, the Premier thanked those who provided the necessary assistance in implementing the investment project, noting its importance for the development of Moldova’s industry. “The most important thing is that 2,500 people will be able to work at home, in the Republic of Moldova, and will not have to go abroad to look for a job to support their families,” stated Pavel Filip. The Prime Minister said the rise in investments and, respectively, in contributions to the state budget enables to increase pensions, salaries and social investments. He welcomed the vocational education project promoted by Sumitomo in cooperation with the vocational school in Orhei town, which will help train specialists for the company. The representatives of Sumitomo said the factory in Orhei is an important element in improving the quality of production and the company will further contribute to the social and economic development of Moldova.
Currently, Sumitomo Electric Bordnetze employs 33,000 persons at 36 locations in 15 countries. The company expanded in Moldova in 2015.
Ceilings of fuel prices increased
The National Agency for Energy Regulation announced the fuel price ceilings for the next two weeks. As of November 1, a liter of gasoline will be sold for at most 17.13 lei, up 0.16 lei compared with the past two weeks, while of diesel fuel for at most 15.26 lei, up 0.08 lei. The new price ceilings take effect on November 1 and will be in force until November 14. The Agency asks 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.
Justice Ministry suggests reducing pressure exerted by state bodies on entrepreneurs
The seizure of documents, information bearing devices and goods used in the economic process without which it is impossible to continue work will be banned during inspections carried out by state authorities. A mechanism of financial guarantees will be introduced for those who are subject to such sequestration. This is provided in a bill drafted by the Ministry of Justice that was proposed for public consultations. The bill to amend a number of articles of the Penal Code, Penal Procedure Code, Contravention Code, law on state inspections and law on the Security and Intelligence Service aims to minimize the abuses on the part of the state authorities so as to facilitate business activity in Moldova, Minister of Justice Vladimir Cebotari stated in a press briefing after the weekly meeting of the Democratic Party’s administration. It is suggested excluding the arrest in the case of economic offenses that are punished with up to five years in jail. The business entities will be able to voluntarily remove the irregularities. “We want to transfer the power to determine the crime index from the Ministry of the Interior and the National Anticorruption Center to institutions empowered to perform inspections in a particular area and to enable the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate the relevant acts. Furthermore, we will modify the contravention procedure so that it is simple, de-bureaucratized, swift and involves rapid state intervention,” noted the minister. Under the proposal, the place and role of the Security and Intelligence Service will be reviewed so that this focuses on acts that constitute threats to the independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, constitutional order, democratic development, internal security of the state, society and citizens, Moldova’s statehood, the vitality and stable functioning of the most important sectors of the national economy.
● WEDNESDAY, November 1
Moldovan meat destroyed in Russia
Half a tonne of meat transported by citizens of the Republic of Moldova by the Chisinau-Moscow train was destroyed in Russia. According to the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of Russia (Rosselkhoznadzor), the Moldovan citizens didn’t have the required documents for the 515 kg of meat of an unknown origin that was transported by train. The meat, which the inspectors considered unsafe from sanitary-veterinary viewpoint, was taken out of the train and was then destroyed following lab tests.
Moldova to exchange data on export declarations with CIS states
The executive approved the signing of the agreement on the exchange of information for determining and controlling the value of goods in the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Thus, the customs institutions of the signatory states will regularly and free exchange information about export declarations so as to ensure the accuracy of the data on the value of goods declared in customs posts and the payment of customs duties. The information that represents a state secret or refers to personal data will make an exception. The Republic of Moldova has signed similar treaties with Ukraine and Russia. These provide that information is exchanged at request.
Hotbed of African swine fever in Palanca
A hotbed of African swine fever was reported in Palanca village of Stefan Voda district. The presence of the virus was confirmed in three domestic farms. According to the National Food Safety Agency, the places were the animals were kept are being disinfected and the local pigs are being supervised by veterinarians. Simultaneously, control over the circulation of pork and pork products has been stepped up. The population is trained to respect the required sanitary-veterinary rules. A response team outfitted with equipment for liquidating the hotbed is working at the scene. Mayor of Palanca Larisa Voloh said there are no restrictions on the entry and exit of the village, but sanitary filters will be set up to disinfect the units of transport and stricter control will be ensured so that pork is not brought from Ukraine. No measures have been taken with regard to other pigs, but the animals will be examined for signs of infection. Four pigs were kept at the three domestic farms. One was slaughtered, while another one was incinerated after he died. The other two are being supervised.
● THURSDAY, November 2
Privatization of Vestmoldtransgaz is necessary, opinion
The privatization of Vestmoldtransgaz - the Moldovan energy company that manages the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline - is absolutely necessary, said participants in the program “Fabrika” that is produced by Publika TV channel. Director of the Market Economy Institute Roman Chirca said the privatization is needed because Vestmoldtransgaz does not have enough powers and investment capacities as well as technical personnel. “Vestmoldtransgaz is now an initial form, a project aimed at ensuring energy security at the incipient stage and this company is not a player that can implement this project till the end,” stated Roman Chirca. Minister of Economy and Infrastructure Octavian Calmac said Vestmoldtransgaz was put on the list of companies that are to be privatized with the aim of attracting international companies to compete with Moldova-Gaz, in which Russia’s Gazprom has a large shareholding. “We aim to transparently privatize this company based on two components: to recoup the investments we made in concert with our development partners at the first stage and to have a firm commitment from those who take part in this privatization to invest at least €93 million during the first two years,” stated the official. Vestmoldtransgaz was included in the list of 17 companies that will be privatized.
Annual rate of inflation goes up
The annual rate of inflation rose from 7.3% in June to 7.6% in September, National Bank governor Sergiu Cioclea stated when presenting a new report on inflation in a news conference. The rise in the annual rate of inflation stemmed from the rise in the prices of agrifood products (immediately after the mid-April tempests) and the higher than projected increase in fuel prices following the rise in the price of a barrel of oil. However, the appreciation of the leu against the U.S. dollar was a factor that balanced out the growth tendencies of consumer prices, which means that less inflation was imported. In its new forecast, the central bank places the annual rate of inflation for 2017 at 6.5%, while for 2018 at 4%, which is within the bank’s inflation target of 5%, plus minus 1.5%. Sergiu Cioclea said the economic growth that will be recorded this year, even if it’s lower than projected initially, will be a precondition for confirming this inflation forecast. The expected rise of about 17% in exports is thus very important in this regard. Remittances during five months in a row exceeded US$ 100 million. The countries with which Moldova has commercial relations will also see economic growths this year.
Businesses in Moldova are started easier, Doing Business
The Republic of Moldova climbed 21 spots in the Starting a Business division of the Doing Business rankings, from the 44th place to the 23rd. According to the Secretariat of the Premier’s Economic Council, the rankings were compiled taking into account the reform by which the National House of Social Insurance was excluded from the company registration process. Doing Business is an annual report measuring the regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it. The higher is Moldova’s position in the rankings, the more attractive it is considered for investors. According to the Doing Business rankings, Moldova takes the 44th position out of 190 countries.
Kroll experts expected to come to Chisinau next week
Representatives of Kroll are expected to arrive in Moldova next week. “We are having the last discussions with the company’s representatives on two documents that are to be presented,” National Bank governor Sergiu Cioclea stated on November 2. The strategy for recovering the embezzled funds is one of the two documents. “Intense work was done with the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office and the National Anticorruption Center to integrate their comments,” said Sergiu Cioclea. The company’s Second Report is the other document. “The NBM wants to publish this document. We will discuss with Kroll what parts of it can be published. Transparency at this stage is very important. Surely the secrecy of the investigation should be kept so as not to affect the recovery of money. These things will be discussed with the representatives of Kroll on an inter-institutional platform,” noted the governor. As regards the recovered money, Sergiu Cioclea said 80% of the recovered funds (over 1 billion lei) derived from the repayment of loans or sale of secured property following the liquidation of the three banks. Asked when the money will start to be recovered from the jurisdictions indicated in the Kroll report, Sergiu Cioclea said some of the jurisdictions reacted positively to the National Bank’s request and promised to cooperate in this regard, like the Baltic States. Other states are not so willing. “It will be a hard process that will last for several years, but this will start at the end of November, after Kroll presents the strategy for recovering the money,” stated the governor.
Fiscal and customs policy for 2018 adopted in first reading
The fixed income tax rate for citizens who supply agricultural products to business entities will rise from 3% to 5%. The excise duties on oil products, tobacco and alcohol will also increase. This is provided in the fiscal and customs policy for next year that was passed by Parliament in the first reading on November 2. As of January 1, 2018, the owners of vehicles worth over 1.5 million lei will pay property tax. Currently, the property tax is paid only on expensive homes that are over 120 square meters in area. The excise duties on cigarettes with filter will rise by 50 lei per 1,000 pieces, while on cigarettes without filter three times. The tax and customs concessions for duty-free shops are annulled as of July 1, 2018. In this connection, Minister of Finance Octavian Armasu said the duty-free shops at the entrance to Moldova will be closed when their licenses expire because, in the absence of a mechanism for controlling the purchased products, these sell most of the goods as contraband through announcement websites. The duty-free shops at the exit from Moldova will continue work. The milk producers will have the right to VAT refund, while the reduced VAT of 8% will be applied to heat produced from solid biofuel for public institutions. As regards private individuals, these will benefit from a personal exemption of 11,280 lei a year, up from the current exemption of 10,620 lei. The exemption for each maintained person will rise from 2,340 lei to 2,520 lei a year. The special personal exemption, for those who took part in the Chernobyl cleanup, the war for defending Moldova’s integrity, the Afghanistan war and others, will be 16,800 lei a year, up from 15,840 lei at present. Two income tax rates will be applied in 2018 as well – of 7% on incomes lower than 33,000 lei, up from 31,140 lei in 2017, and of 18% on higher incomes.
Fines of 2m lei imposed for violations of competition legislation
The companies “Cifrotech” SRL, “Interacces-M” SRL, “Glamis” SRL and “BTS PRO” SRL will pay fines of about 2 million lei into the state budget for violating the competition legislation. In a press release, the Competition Council said the companies were fined for refusing to allow carrying out the planned inspection, while “BTS PRO” SRL also for misleading employees of the Competition Council. Owing to the obstacles created by the mentioned business entities, the goal of the inspection could not be achieved and these prevented the obtaining of relevant information for investigating the alleged case of violation of the competition legislation that was initiated by an order of the plenum of the Competition Council. Another eight companies were penalized by the Competition Council for violating the competition legislation by reaching an anti-competition agreement to set the exchange rates of currencies for currency exchange operations in a coordinated way. “Activ Prim” SRL was fined 16,692 lei, “Ramforinh” SRL – 15,146 lei, Bartolomeu” SRL – 3,823 lei, “Lozcoz” SRL – 3,063 lei, “Olnast AG” SRL – 2,583 lei, “Lavronix” SRL – 1,943 lei, “Dragotin Prim” SRL – 1,461 lei, “Oanta - Schimb” SRL – 359 lei. The fine is to be paid into the state budget within 60 days.
● FRIDAY, November 3
African swine fever virus in Palanca brought by meat imported from Ukraine
The hotbeds of African swine fever in Palanca village of Stefan Voda district appeared after infected meat was brought from Ukraine. The village will be in quarantine for 60 days. There is only one point of entrance to the village and this contains a sanitary filter, director general of the National Food Safety Agency Gheorghe Gaberi told a news conference on November 3. According to Gheorghe Gaberi, the virus reached the country because the citizens didn’t respect the restrictions imposed on the import of meat and meat products from Ukraine, where a number of hotbeds were reported. It is regrettable that the people do not realize the risks to which they expose themselves when they decide to go to the neighboring state to buy pork because it is cheaper there. “The infected animals were eliminated. The hotbeds appeared in the households that ignored the restrictions,” stated Gheorghe Gaberi. The Agency’s vice director Vsevolod Stamati said there are about 30 hotbeds of African swine fever at the border between Moldova and Ukraine. Those who come from Ukraine have their baggage and units of transport checked. The identified meat products are seized and burned. “During the past 24 hours, 58 kg of meat were seized from citizens in customs posts and destroyed by burning. About 3,580 kg of meat have been confiscated so far this year,” he stated. According to the National Food Safety Agency, there are over 300 pigs in Palanca. Seven pigs died there in domestic farms. Another eight pigs were burned. A new case of suspect swine fever was reported in Palanca on November 3.
IPN launches weekly rubric Monitor of Official Gazette
It is well known that the Official Gazette of the Republic of Moldova (further O.G.) is issued on Friday. The recently issued O.G. (No.383-388 (6306-6311) of November 03, 2017 contains a number of legal acts that took effect on this date or will come into force later. The ratification of the agreement on social security between the Republic of Moldova and Germany, which was signed on January 12 this year, is the news that was long-awaited by Moldovans working abroad. The given document (page 7 – 15) will take effect on the first day of the third month that will come after the month when the ratification instruments are exchanged. The agreement regulates insurance in case of accidents at work and professional illnesses, administrative and legal assistance, medical examination. When the agreement takes effect, we will ask for addition information about it from the competent authorities. Those who are fond of sports also have reasons to more attentively study the O.G. The Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events (Saint-Denis, 03.VII.2016) was ratified. By the law to ratify the Convention (No. 207 of October 6, 2017), the Government of Moldova is obliged to take measures to ensure the safety, security and service on sports grounds, cooperation with supporters and local communities, prevention and punishment of offensive behavior. The Decision of the Court of Auditors of the Republic of Moldova on the audit of the implementation of the program to restructure the winemaking and winegrowing sector of Moldova (page 27 – 53) holds interest for specialists in agro-industry. The findings of the audit, followed by recommendations for ensuring compliance, were submitted to the competent bodies for making decision makers more responsible. The Government Decision (pages 54 – 71) to amend and supplement the previous decision on the approval of methods of analyses for fodder control (No. 686 of September 13, 2012) regulates the activity in agriculture. The O.G. also contains the Government Decision (No. 868 of October 30, 2017, page 74) by which the lists of state-owned property and of works and services of national public interest proposed for the public-private partnership were extended. This refers to an unfinished non-residential building situated in Chisinau and is aimed at attracting investments to reconstruct the building of the State Dramatic Theater for Youth ”From the Rose Street”. Noble intention in the interests of culture! A similar goal is pursued by another Government Decision (No. 870 of October 30, 2017, page 75) by which a wagon is transferred free from the public property of the state under the public property of the territorial-administrative unit Mereni village of Anenii Noi district. Our sources from the village informed us that this wagon is intended for the local museum organized by enthusiasts in memory of victims of the Stalinist repression. The Government Decision (No. 880 of November 1, 2017, page 88) on the building of Ion Ungureanu’s bust in Causeni town is also related to culture. The Government Decision (No. 872 of October 31, 2017, page 77 - 86) to amend and supplement the regulations on the issuing of identification papers to the inhabitants of the Republic of Moldova (adopted earlier by Government Decision No. 125 of February 18, 2013) is of special interest for the whole population. In particular, there were introduced new rules concerning the issuing of identification papers and other very important technical details for the citizens who use the State Population Register. Part III of the O.G. (ministerial, departmental documents and documents of the National Bank of Moldova) includes the regulations concerning reporting on the retaining of the income tax, mandatory health insurance contributions and social insurance contributions approved by the Ministry of Finance’s order No. 126 of October 4, 2017 (page 99 – 105), which are useful both to business entities and to all the employees.
● SATURDAY, November 4
Those who want to travel in winter invited to Winter Travel Fair
About 30 travel agencies and tour operators of Moldova, Bulgaria, Romania and Georgia came to the Winter Travel Fair with a variety of vacationing opportunities, from ski resorts in Europe to exotic destinations. The fair is at its first edition and is taking place at the Exhibitions Center “Moldoexpo” during November 3-5, IPN reports. The travel agencies and tour operators say the Moldovans prefer to spend the New Year’s Eve and Christmas in Romania and Bulgaria. The trips through Moldova and Europe are also popular in the period. To celebrate Christmas on December 25 in Romania or Bulgaria, one will have to spend €130 to €500. The offer includes transport and a varied program of trips and recreational activities. One of the national companies provides tours to four European cities to visit Christmas fairs. The prices start from €200. A vacation to Israel on Epiphany costs €600 with guide services included. For such destinations as Egypt, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, prices start from €250, with flight from Chisinau. The offer does not include health insurance and visa costs. Another tour operator present at the fair said the proposed offers are intended for those who like resting actively and want to broaden their cultural horizons. Mala is the main proposed destination. For five days in a four-star hotel, a tourist will pay €590 to €610, for a five-star hotel – slightly over €900, with flight from Bucharest. The offer does not include the festive New Year’s Eve meal and drinks and the transfer to Bucharest and back. For an additional payment of €60 to €150, one can go on trips to the capital of Malta Valletta, around Sicilia and the Island of Gozo. Ukraine is also popular with Moldovans. A trip of three nights and four days with meals included costs €69 per person and up. The tourism agencies also organize trips through Moldova and these are very popular with tourists. Most of the agencies offer discounts of 5% to 30% if the tickets are bought during the fair. On November 4 and 5, the visitors of the fair can take part in an informational tour to Soroca Fortress, Cosauti, Curchi Monastery, Orheiul Vechi and wineries.
