● MONDAY, April 02
Central bank: We received no notification from Société Générale
The National Bank of Moldova said it received no notification from Société Générale as to its intentions to sell its branch in Moldova BC “Mobiasbanca” SA, as a Bulgarian news portal said. In a posting on Facebook, the National Bank of Moldova said BC “Mobiasbanca” SA respects all the prudential requirements and any change in the ownership of licensed banks can take place only with the preliminary consent of the National Bank of Moldova, whose goal is to ensure transparency, quality and the financial solidity of shareholders and lending institutions.
2018 agricultural year anticipated to be favorable
The agricultural year 2018 is expected to be as favorable as last year, even if the winter crops went out of the biological break almost two weeks later. The snow and low temperatures of March didn’t affect the winter crops. The conclusions were presented in a news conference that centered on the state of the winter crops and the start of spring agricultural works. Vasile Luca, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment, said that over 400,000 hectares last year were sowed with wheat, barley or rape. The weather conditions in winter were favorable for the development of these crops and multiannual crops. The water reserve in soil is now one of the largest during the past five years. The moisture level in soil is even lower than a meter.
Revenues collected into budget in three months much larger than last year
The revenues collected by the State Tax Service into the national public budget during the first three months of 2018 are by 19.5% higher than in the corresponding period last year. A sum of 8.952,9 billion was collected into the period at a time when the task set for the first quarter of this year was 7.973,5 billion lei. This is an increase of 12.3%. The collections into the state budget came to 4.406 billion lei, up +24.3% compared with the corresponding period last year. The local budgets gathered revenues of 791.7 million lei, +12.9%. The collections into the state social insurance budget totaled 2.871,0 billion lei, an increase of 15.9%, while into the mandatory health insurance funds - about 884.3 million lei, +14.5%.
● TUESDAY, April 03
Pavel Filip: When Moldova was in a crisis, Romania was the only country that provided assistance
Romania is near the Republic of Moldova. At the start of 2016, when the Republic of Moldova witnessed the blocking of foreign financing owing to the economic crisis through which it went, and until it reached an agreement with the IMF to be able to unblock the other funds, Romania was the only country that lent a hand to it, with a loan of €60 million, on no conditions at that moment and, later, two more tranches of the loan that came to €150 million, Prime Minister Pavel Filip stated in an interview for Libertatea.ro. In the interview, Pavel Filip said the entry by Banca Transilvania into the Moldovan market is also a response to the measures taken by the government to remedy the situation in the banking system as a result of the banking fraud. He noted he had a discussion with those from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The Bank’s president visited recently Chisinau, where he announced their intention to purchase a shareholding in Moldova Agroindbank. “This means that the economy in the Republic of Moldova moved on and the efforts made by the Government during the past two years weren’t in vain. The signing of the contract to privatize Vestmoldtransgaz is also important as it represents the accomplishment of another ambition – to ensure the country’s energy security,” stated Pavel Filip.
Farmers can program online to submit subsidization applications
As of April 2, the farmers can program online to file applications for subsidization to the local offices of the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture and to also have an audience with the Agency’s managers. The persons can register online on www.aipa.gov.md, through the “Online Scheduling” module that is situated on the right side. They can also access the link: programari.aipa.md. The applicant will fill in a personal form with such data as the name, surname, email address and contact phone number. Additionally, this will introduce the security code from the image and will confirm the programing. The non-presentation on the arranged date and hour, inconsistency between the data written in the scheduling form and the identification data of the person who will come to submit the application for subsidization will lead to the annulment of programing.
Fuel prices to go up
The National Agency for Energy Regulation announced the fuel price ceilings for the next two weeks. As of April 4, the price ceiling for a liter of gasoline will be by 0.61 lei higher, while for a liter of diesel fuel by 0.52 lei per liter. A liter of gasoline coded 95 will be sold for at most 18.48 lei, as opposed to the current price ceiling of 17.87 lei. Diesel wil will cost at most 16.25 lei, as against 15.73 lei at present. The new prices will be in force until April 17.
National regulator carries out inspection at poultry company
The eggs should be clean, without cracks and the shell should be matte. The yolk and the white must have a uniform content and must not have strange smells. This is the recommendation formulated by the National Consumer Protection Agency before the Easter holidays, when the eggs are in great demand. The Agency’s vice director general Ion Toma paid an inspection visit to the poultry company based in Ciorescu commune of Chisinau municipality. The company has 65,000 laying eggs and daily supplies about 50,000 eggs to shops. There were identified no violations. The population is recommended to make purchases for the Easter holidays only in authorized places so as to buy products of a high quality.
● WEDNESDAY, April 04
Coming of Banca Transilvania to Moldova is a signal for other investors, Pavel Filip
The coming of Banca Transilvania to Moldova by the acquisition of a majority shareholding in Victoribank together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is the result of the efforts made by the Government to stabilize the situation in the banking sector and is an encouraging sign for other potential investors, Prime Minister Pavel Filip stated in a meeting with the managing director for Financial Institutions at the EBRD Nick Tesseyman, president of Banca Transilvania Horia Ciorcila and president of Victoriabank Bogdan Plesuvescu on April 4. The Premier said he would like to have a direct dialogue with the large investors. To ensure the more efficient use of money, the mechanism for coordinating the foreign assistance was reviewed. Now the process is handled by the Ministry of Finance. This ensures a prudent and more efficient use of public funds. The Government is also taking measures to improve the business climate, such as the reduction in the number of inspection bodies and permissive documents. The documents are released through the one-stop shop.
Drivers urged to use most energy-efficient tires
The most energy-efficient tires offer increased safety in traffic, reduce fuel consumption and the noise emitted by the vehicle, said specialists of the Energy Efficiency Agency who, in concert with the National Patrolling Inspectorate, in an event called on the drivers to choose tires based on their energy efficiency. According to the director of the Energy Efficiency Agency Alexandru Ciudin, the most energy-efficient tires ensure better wet braking and reduce external noise. This enables the driver to better control the vehicle and to drive safely. The car consumes less fuel and eliminates less gas.
Agreement on economic cooperation with United Arab Emirates approved
The Cabinet approved the agreement on economic and technical cooperation with the Government of the United Arab Emirates that was signed in Dubai on January 30, 2018. The sides intend to diversify the economic, financial-banking and investment relations and to cooperate in industry, tourism, agriculture, information technology, building sector, transport, logistics, environment, healthcare and others. The sides will ensure the adoption of the measures needed to develop economic and technical cooperation between the governmental institutions, business communities and regional and local entities. There will be encouraged the mutual participation in fairs, exhibitions, symposiums and other events designed to promote and develop cooperation between the two states.
Moldova borrows EU standards on fresh fruit and vegetable control
The Republic of Moldova is implementing the European Union’s quality requirements for fresh fruit and vegetables. The national norms are adjusted to the EU’s by a bill that was approved by the Cabinet. For the products that meet the quality requirements, a quality compliance certificate will be issued to the business entity at request. Before the products are put into circulation, the imported consignments will be subject to a mandatory check, if they do not have an equivalent certificate. Before the products intended for export leave the country, at the request of the business entity the inspection body will check if these meet the quality requirements of the importing country.
● THURSDAY, April 05
Investments in facilitating employment of persons
The National Employment Agency will be allocated about 100 million lei a year for implementing measures to facilitate the employment of persons. The measures are stipulated in a draft law that was approved by the Cabinet. According to Minister of Health Svetlana Cojocari, these were tailored to meet the needs of different categories of unemployed persons and of the employers. It is proposed diversifying the professional formation forms for the unemployed by introducing training at the workplace for persons without qualifications. The unemployed persons without work experience, especially the young people, will be able to access professional training and career guidance services.
Strategy for developing non-banking financial market approved
The loans provided by microfinance organizations in five years will amount to 7.6 billion lei. This is stipulated in the strategy for developing the non-banking financial market for 2018-2022 that was approved by the Cabinet. The bill also envisions the adjustment of the framework for regulating the activity of the non-banking lending market to the European standards. The surveillance of microfinance organizations will be improved based on risk prevention and management. Special attention will be devoted to the informing of the population about the opportunities of borrowing money from entities of the non-banking financial market.
Visa for Moldova will be obtained easier
The foreign citizens will be able to easier obtain visas to enter Moldova. The Cabinet approved a decision to simplify the procedure. In particular, the list of states whose citizens need invitations to get entry visas was reviewed. The number of decreased from 85 to 38 states. “If we want to promote the investment and tourist attractiveness of the Republic of Moldova, we must open up our country for those who want to visit us,” stated Prime Minister Pavel Filip. He noted that this decision is only a first step. The procedure will be further simplified.
Investment Agency to absorb MIEPO and Tourism Agency
The Moldova Investment Attraction and Export Promotion Organization (MIEPO) will be reorganized into the Investment Agency, which will be a central administration authority that will be directly managed by the Government. The new body will also absorb the Tourism Agency. The Investment Agency will ensure the implementation of state policies on the attraction of local and foreign investment to Moldova’s economy and on tourism promotion. The Agency will have 30 employees, a director general and a vice director. The posts will be filled by contest, except for the persons who will be transferred from the Tourism Agency. The policies of the Investment Agency will be coordinated by a council that will consist of seven persons with experience and rich knowledge in the field.
Moldova fulfills assumed commitments on agriculture
The Republic of Moldova fulfills the commitments assumed at foreign level in the field of agriculture, especially through the Association Agreement with the EU, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Iurie Usurelu stated in the program “Red Button” on the public TV channel Moldova 1. The Secretary of State referred to the harmonization of the legal framework with the international standards, the commitments concerning financing for the agricultural sector and the training of agricultural producers. “These three issues are a permanent concern for the specialists of the Ministry of Agriculture. Additionally, we also speak about the national agriculture development strategy, which is now being reviewed,” stated Iurie Usurelu.
Over 66% of national public budget revenues in first quarter ensured by Chisinau
Chisinau contributed the most to the national public budget in the first quarter of this year. The revenues collected in the period in Chisinau came to 5978.8 million lei, which is 66.78% of the aggregate revenues. The municipality of Balti contributed 457.8 million lei or 5.11% to the national public budget, while ATU Gagauzia –214.4 million lei or 2.4%. As regards the districts, Cahul contributed 150.4 million lei or 1.68% of the total revenues, Orhei – 144.9 million lei or 1.62%, Ungheni – 127.6 million or 1.43%, while Anenii Noi – 114.5 million lei or 1.28%.
● FRIDAY, April 06
Switzerland will offer Moldova technical assistance for improving business climate
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation will provide technical assistance to the value of 50.9 million Swiss francs to Moldova based on the strategy of cooperation between Switzerland and the Republic of Moldova for 2018-2021. The strategy will be presented during the visit to Chisinau that will be paid by a governmental delegation of Sweden during April 16-18. Minister of Economy and Infrastructure Kiril Gaburici met with the Director of the Swiss Cooperation Orifice in Moldova Simone Giger. The minister expressed his gratefulness for the doubling of the volume of financial assistance offered to Moldova to over 55 million Swiss francs based on the cooperation strategy for 2014-2017.
Irregularities identified in seeds selling
Inspectors of the National Food Safety Agency determined that some of the agricultural shops sell seeds in the absence of quality certificates and without these being appropriately packed and labeled. At agricultural markets, they discovered cases of sale of seeds of an unknown origin. In a press release, the National Food Safety Agency said the inspectors banned the sale of the given consignments and ordered to examine them. According to the Agency, the farmers are almost fully provided with seeds for the spring sowing. There are over 35,000 tonnes of seeds in the specialized stores at a time when the needs were assessed at 36,000 tonnes.
Economy minister demands to outfit passenger transport with seatbelts
Minister of Economy and Infrastructure Kiril Gaburici requested that the units of transport that convey passengers should be equipped with seatbelts. The request was formulated following inspections at a number of bus and minibus terminals. The minister said it is important to also ensure the safety of passengers, besides good conditions. “The safety belts should be mandatorily present in all the buses and minibuses running on interurban routes, as it is in international transport, so that the people reach the destination safely,” stated Kiril Gaburici.
