● MONDAY, December 11
Europe will savor Moldovan grapes next spring as well
The large farmers of Moldova sold no more than 20-30% of their table grapes harvest so far. Exports in the first quarter of 2023 could therefore increase, IPN reports, with reference to East-Fruit.com – an agricultural information platform
Memorandum to implement projects to interconnect natural gas and electricity networks signed in Chisinau
A memorandum of understanding to implement projects to interconnect the natural gas and electricity networks of Moldova and Romania was signed in Chisinau by the energy ministers of the two countries on Monday. Under the memorandum, the capacity to transport natural gas will be increased and the Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline will be extended by building a gas transmission pipeline - Chisinau Belt – by 2031.
TUESDAY, December 12
Gas consumption in November up 121% on October
Natural gas consumption in November was 83.6 million cubic meters, which is by 32.5% more than in the corresponding period of 2022. According to SA “Moldovagaz”, against this October, the figure is by 45.9 million cubic meters or about 121.8% higher.
Families in four Chisinau blocks will pay less for heating
Families in four blocks in Chisinau will pay up to 30% less for heating after changing the distribution system with a more energy efficient one. The newly installed system enables the transfer of heating from the city’s centralized system to the building with minimal energy loss. This was announced by Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov.
● WEDNESDAY, December 13
December 28, 2023 is last operational day for budgetary payments and collections
The State Tax Service said that Thursday, December 28, is this year the last operational day for budgetary payments and collections. On Friday, December 29, which is the last workday of the budget year, no collection and payment operations are possible. Only internal and budget year closing operations can be performed.
State gets back gas and crude oil resources in southern Moldova
The state restored the right to exploit the crude oil formation “Văleni” and the natural gas formation “Victorovca”. The Cabinet approved a decision by which it ends the lease by which the American exploitation and exploration company “Redeco” LTD was allowed to use the resources of hydrocarbons and decided to constitute a commission that will ensure the unilateral transmission of the property and ownership rights deriving from this agreement.
● THURSDAY, December 14
Walnut growers see revitalization after remaining with walnuts in storehouses last year
The walnut growers and exporters last year experienced a tenser situation, due to the war in Ukraine as well. The crop was good, but the demand was insufficient and the prices were rather low. Therefore, the growers had to keep the walnuts in storehouses. This year the situation improved and the demand is higher. The problems and opportunities in the field were discussed in an annual forum.
Horus Energy: We do not perform works on energy block No.2, CET Source 1
Horus Energy company condemns the false reports spread by some of the media outlets and informs public opinion in Moldova that it doesn’t carry out any repair works on energy block No.2, CET (thermoelectric plant) Source 1 of the joint stock company Termoelectrica. It describes the dissemination of false information as an attempt to denigrate and harm its professional reputation as part of a campaign launched last year, which is a regrettable manifestation of unfair competition.
Over 100 companies took part in missions staged by Moldova-China CCI
The Moldova-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) this year has organized the participation of over 100 Moldovan companies in economic missions to different events and exhibitions in China. For 2024, the Chamber aims to invite as many Chinese companies as possible to invest in Moldova. Related issues were discussed in a forum centering on the fifth anniversary of the Moldova-China CCI and the development of the economic relations between China and Moldova.
Cooperation with Termoelectrica over past few years brought multiple benefits, Horus Energy
The cooperation between Horus and Termoelectrica over past few years brought multiple, mutually advantageous benefits to the inhabitants of Chisinau, who enjoy thermal comfort. Since 2018, Horus has taken an active part in the preparation of the energy sources not only at Termoelectrica, but also in northern Moldova, including at sugar factories.
Horus Energy is ready to retechnologize energy block No. 2 of Termoelectrica with own funds
The company Horus Energy is ready to implement a new investment project with own financial resources to retechnologize energy block No. 2 of CET (thermoelectric plant) Source 1 of Termoelectrica, based on European technologies in the proportion of 80%.
Romanian energy operator OPCOM to create subsidiary in Chisinau
The general assembly of OPCOM SA, an operator on Romania’s electricity and natural gas market, voted to establish a subsidiary company in Chisinau for electricity operations. OPEM, short for Energy Market Operator M, will be registered with Moldova’s Public Services Agency with an equity capital of 500,000 lei.
● FRIDAY, December 15
NBM maintains base rate on main monetary policy operations at 4.75%
The Executive Board of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) decided to maintain the base rate applied to the main short-term monetary policy operations at 4.75%. Interest rates on overnight loans and deposits were maintained at 6.75% and, respectively, 2.75% annually.
Annual inflation in November fell to 5.5%
The annual inflation in November fell to the inflation target interval, to 5.5%, being slightly lower than expected. The National Bank of Moldova (NBM) said the deviation was caused primarily by the regulated prices and food prices. The restrictive monetary policy measures taken by the NBM in turn, during a year and a half up to the end of last year, significantly contributed to lowering inflation.
Court of Auditors audit points to shortcomings in gaming
In the Republic of Moldova, there is no common database on gaming, which would be managed by a state institution in charge of gaming activities, which would also control cash flow. The joint stock company “Loteria Națională a Moldovei” (national lottery) doesn’t possess full information about the types of online lotteries and bets, their value and the value of the fund of gains paid on types of games, etc., says an audit report by the Court of Auditors on the implementation of public-private partnerships for developing the activities of SA “Loteria Națională a Moldovei”.
EIB Global offers €41.2 million loan to help Moldova rehabilitee railway infrastructure
EIB Global, the European Investment Bank’s development arm, is lending €41.2 million to support the rehabilitation of Moldova’s railway infrastructure. The loan will be accompanied by a €12 million grant from the EU, which will improve Moldova’s internal connectivity and offer a crucial export route for Ukraine, fostering regional stability and economic resilience.
● SATURDAY, December 16
USAID offers US$950,000 for accelerating diversification of fruit export
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will further offer, through the agency of its projects, strategic support for the fruit sector of the Republic of Moldova so as to ensure the competitiveness and sustainability of this sector. It goes to new financing of US$950,000 for accelerating the diversification of exports and integrating Moldova’s fruit sector into Western markets.
Arcadie Albul resigns as NBM vice governor
Arcadie Albul resigned from the post of vice governor of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) which he had held since December 2021. The draft decision to accept the resignation was adopted by Parliament.
GDP up 2.6% in third quarter of this year
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2023 grew by 2.6% in gross terms and by 3.4% by the seasonally adjusted time series against the third quarter of 2022, IPN reports, with reference to the National Bureau of Statistics.
