Parliament passed a bill in the first reading delaying the cancellation of the so-called small entrepreneurs' patents until 31 December 2022. Presenting the bill at the plenary sitting, co-sponsor Alexandru Slusari said small entrepreneurs' patents continue to be the only source of income for many families amid a deficit of jobs and low salaries and pensions.

The bill is expected to lead to “a significant, at least double increase in people’s incomes, which would make the cancellation of patents impossible,” argued Alexandru Slusari.

MP Grigore Novac agreed that extending the validity of patents will help to keep existing jobs and increase sales on the domestic consumer market.

At present, there are over 9,100 active patents issued to small-scale vendors.