● MONDAY, October 9

Ten more companies authorized to export saplings to Russia

Ten more Moldovan business entities that run nurseries were authorized by Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) to export young trees and grapevines to the Russian Federation. The decision was taken as a result of an inspection carried out by experts of Rosselkhoznadzor between June 18 and 24, at the request of the National Food Safety Agency.

Authorities sum up results of Moldova Business Week

Two Italian companies announced their intention to invest over €1.5million in Moldova. The first company will specialize in growing wheat, corn and other organic products that will be exported to the EU. Also, a production group from Torino plans to open a steel and iron processing factory in Moldova. The director general of the Moldova Investment Attraction and Export Promotion Organization Vitalie Zaharia spoke about the results of the Moldova Business Week 2017 that was held during October 3-6. According to Vitalie Zaharia, the Moldova Business Week included a large number of meetings and visits to companies operating in the agrifood and textiles industries, in free economic zones and industrial parks. Agreements of intent and import pre-contracts were signed in these.

Minister Vasile Batca estimates benefits of changes proposed to Land Code

After the amendments proposed to the Labor Code are adopted in the final reading, those who want to build agritourist pensions on the owned farmland will no longer need to change the purpose of the land, saving thus about 200,000 lei, Minister of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Vasile Batca as saying in a news conference. According to the minister, the initiative forms part of the regional and rural development action plan. Thus, there will be diversified the economic activities at the local level and ensured the balanced development of regions. New jobs will be created and new opportunities for improving the living conditions for locals will be offered. The incomes and business capacities in rural areas will grow.

● TUESDAY, October 10

Moldova’s economy loses growth potential, opinion

The economy of the Republic of Moldova loses its growth potential, Alexandru Fala, expert of the independent think tank “Expert Grup”, stated in the talk show “Expertise hour” on Jurnal TV channel. According to the expert, this tendency to lose the economic potential is continuous. “What should concern the country the most is that the more we advance in time, the harder will be for the Republic of Moldova to ensue higher economic growth rates,” stated Alexandru Fala.

Roman Chirca: Macro-financial parameters look well after long period of turbulences

The macro-financial parameters in the Republic of Moldova look rather well after a long period of turbulences, director of the Market Economy Institute Roman Chirca stated in the program “Emphasis on today” on TVR Moldova channel. According to Roman Chirca, there were a number of factors that led to a rise in state budget revenues and the economy recovered after two years of stagnation. Remittances also increased. The Moldovan leu appreciated against the main international currencies. These are key factors that led to an aggregated rise in demand that resulted in higher consumption,” stated Roman Chirca.

● WEDNESDAY, October 11

Deadline for rehabilitating electric transport networks extended

The Cabinet approved the initiation of negotiations and the signing of Addendum No.1 to the financing agreement between the Moldovan Government and the European Union concerning the rehabilitation of the electric transport networks of the state-run company IS “Moldelectrica”, which was signed in Chisinau on December 17, 2012. By this agreement, the European Union, represented by the European Commission, commits itself to providing €8 million in the form of a grant for implementing the project to rehabilitate the electric transport networks of IS “Moldelectrica”, through the Neighborhood Investment Fund. The addendum specifies some aspects of the agreement, extending simultaneously the project implementation period from 54 to 66 months.

● THURSDAY, October 12

Public Property Agency to have status of central administrative authority

The Public Property Agency will have the status of central administrative authority, IPN reports, with reference to a Government decision approved on October 11. Thus, the institution will directly obey the Government, not the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure as now. Among the Agency’s powers will be to manage the property of the state, to denationalize public property and to ensure the observance of the property rights and interests of the state. It will also monitor the fulfillment of the obligations by business entities that purchase public property in the post-privatization period and will coordinate public-private partnership projects.

● FRIDAY, October 13

“Moldsilva” Agency announces price of wood for heating

Almost 145,000 cubic meters of wood for heating are planned to be provided by forestry companies this year. The Forestry Agency “Moldsilva” said the average selling price of wood for heating with the length of 1 meter is 546 lei/stere for hard species and 295 lei/stere for soft species. The price of a cubic meter of hard wood is 780 lei, while of a cubic meter of soft wood is 421 lei. The price of collection and transportation is included in the final price.

Road bridge to be built over Prut near Ungheni town

A road bridge with four lanes is to be constructed over the Prut River not far from Ungheni town, in the vicinity of Zagarancea village. Pedestrian traffic will also be possible there. In a response the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure says the works to build the bridges and the access road from the direction of Romania will be financed by the Romanian authorities, while the construction of the access road in Moldova will be financed with funds from the Moldovan Road Fund. The Romanian side included this facility in the National Territorial Development Plan for 2018-2020.