● MONDAY, September 4
Energocom initiates procedure for purchasing natural gas
Energocom has launched the procedure for buying natural gas with EBRD funds following the completion of the third stage of choosing potential natural gas suppliers, with eight companies prequalifying as a result. The first tender contest will be held on Monday and all the eight companies will be invited to bid, IPN reports, with reference to a press release issued by Energocom.
● TUESDAY, September 5
Gas transmission networks in Moldova to be operated by Vestmoldtransgaz
The natural gas transmission networks in the Republic of Moldova will be operated by Vestmoldtransgaz, which is owned by Transgaz Romania and the EBRD. Vestmoldtransgaz signed a contract for the use of the natural gas transmission networks with the owner of the networks Moldovatransgaz, which is the daughter company of Moldovagaz. To take effect, the contract needs to be approved by the National Agency for Energy Regulation (NAER).
After ten-year break, Eco&Green EXPO returns to Chisinau
After a pause of ten years, the exhibition Eco&Green EXPO 2023 will be mounted again in Chisinau. During September 8-10, 30 companies will present their offers in the fields of green technology and environmental protection at the exhibitions center “Moldexpo”.
“Moldexpo” director general Carolina Chiper told a news conference that there will be exhibited food, ecological and wine products, waste collection equipment and solar panels. A platform will be made available for business entities working in the field, consumers and government institutions to interact.
● WEDNESDAY, September 6
Igor Grosu: We are very well prepared for coming winter
The Republic of Moldova is very well prepared for the 2023-2024 winter season, said Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu. According to him, the authorities made effort for the country not to experience a new energy crisis and Moldova is no longer dependent on Gazprom in terms of gas supplies, while the artificial debts invoked by the Russian company will not be paid by the citizens of the Republic of Moldova.
Gas transmission networks to be managed by Transgaz and EBRD. Ion Chicu: We show we cannot administer anything
The transfer of the natural gas transmission networks to Vestmoldtransgaz shows to the world that the Republic of Moldova cannot amdinister anything, ex-Premier Ion Chicu said, commening on the authroties’ decision to transfer the networks to a company that belongs to Transgaz Romania and the EBRD. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the high gas rate of 18 lei applied to most of the consumers in Moldova at a time when the National Agency for Energy Regulation on Tuesday approved a rate of 11.71 lei for the consumers who are supplied with gas by a private company.
We need to switch over from exploiting agriculture to natural regeneration practices, researcher
Biotechnology expert of “Prometeu” Experimental Center Alexandru Brătuțel said that it is extremely necessary to switch over from traditional exploiting agriculture to natural regeneration practices. According to him, the natural environment is today distorted by the previous mistakes made when applying old methods to abusively manage natural resources by promoting synthetized imputes hostile to the basis of existence on earth. The scientific researcher addressed a relevant open letter to a number of responsible state institutions.
Chisinau suggests paying US$8.6 million in debt to Gazprom
The audit showed that the debt of SA Moldovagaz to Russia’s Gazprom at the end of March 2022 was US$709 million. But the largest part of this debt is either non-executable or could not be confirmed by documents. The same audit revealed that Moldovagaz can also make financial claims against Gazprom. According to Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov, Chisinau suggests paying US$8.6 million in debt to Gazprom.
Share capital of Moldova’s Railways to be augmented
The share capital of the state-run enterprise Moldova’s Railways will be increased by 363 158 300 lei (€16 962 100) on account of the loan provided by the European Investment Bank. A decision to this effect was taken by the Cabinet on Wednesday at the suggestion of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development.
After several months of growth, official reserve assets drop
After several months of growth, official reserve assets are declining. According to the National Bank of Moldova, at the end of August they amounted to 4.82 billion US dollars, down by 209 million dollars compared to July 31.
● THURSDAY, September 7
Victor Parlicov: We propose signing a contract with MGRES for a longer period of time
The contract for the purchase of electrical energy from the Kuchurgan Power Plant (MGRES) could be extended for a longer period of time, said Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov. According to him, the authorities are negotiating the renewal of the contract with the Transnistrian leaders. The minister noted that the extension of the environmental permit for the Rybnitsa steel works is no longer an important component of the negotiations as the company complies with the legislation of the Republic of Moldova.
Chisinau to host International Health Tourism Forum on Sept. 15 and 16
An International Health Tourism Forum with invitees from over 20 countries who want to know the medical offer in Moldova will be staged in Chisinau during September 15 – 16. Elena Stepanov, executive director of the National Inbound and Domestic Tourism Association of Moldova, told a news conference that health tourism in Moldova has become more popular the last few years. 30% of the tourists who visit Moldova do it to benefit from services of a high quality in clinics and health resorts in Moldova.
Moldovan fruit presented at international exhibition in Hong Kong
For the first time, fruit grown in Moldova is presented at an international exhibition in Hong Kong - Asia Fruit Logistica – which is one of the largest specialized exhibitions in fruit industry in Asia and which brings together professional from about 70 countries.
The Moldovan fruit was exhibited at Asia Fruit Logistica on the country stand “Moldova – Special Taste” where Moldovan entrepreneurs present their offer of fruit, initiate discussions with importers and establish partnerships. The previous season, Moldova exported over 6,000 tonnes of apples to the Middle East, which is a market with a potential of about 450,000 tonnes of fruit. There are real possibilities of increasing the export of fruit from Moldova to this market, “Moldova Fruct” Fruit Producers and Exporters Association noted in a press release.
● FRIDAY, September 8
Liubomir Chiriac: Business associations have many objections to what is there at governmental level
In 30 years of its founding, the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul” created platforms of dialogue between representatives of the business community and the government, contributing this way to the amendment of the legislation and the solving of problems faced by entrepreneurs, said the Institute’s director Liubomir Chiriac. According to him, Moldova’s economy today does not make progress and a constant dialogue between the business community and decision makers from government is needed to overcome the crisis.
Agreement on Moldova’s participation in EU Single Market Program signed
The agreement on the Republic of Moldova’s participation in the EU Single Market Program was signed in Brussels. President Maia Sandu said the program will help prepare the private sector and the state institutions for the European rules and standards and will increase access to the European markets for Moldovan products and services.
Transnistria’s economy has experienced a real deterioration, expert
While the current GDP on the right bank has recovered to 75% of its 1989 level, the Transnistrian region has only managed a meager 32% of it. Salary and pension discrepancies between the two banks have constantly grown since 2015. Over the past 22 years, prices increased 6 times on the right bank, and 9.3 times in the Transnistrian region. The findings belong to Veaceslav Ioniță, expert with the IDIS Viitorul think-tank.
