● TUESDAY, May 10
Penalties imposed on six pharmaceutical companies
The Competition Council penalized six business entities after these refused to fulfill their contractual obligations and to deliver the agreed quantities of medicines to national health facilities on time. According to a press release of the Competition Council, fines totaling 17.4 million lei were imposed on “DitaEst Farm” SRL, “Esculap-Farm” SRL, “Medeferent Grup” SRL, “SanFarm Prim” SA, “Metatron” SA, and “R&P Bolgar Farm” SRL.
Tiraspol plans not to raise electricity tariffs next year
Though the electric power produced in Dubasari will grow more expensive, the administration of the Transnistrian region plans to keep the tariffs for end-users at the same level by reducing the power transportation costs. The Transnistrian administration intends to increase the costs of power produced by the company from Dubasari so that this could partially modernize its equipment. However, in order not to affect the end-users, it was decided to decrease the power transportation costs by 5%.
Country can be reindustrialized by massively attracting investors, experts
The creation of a favorable environment and attraction of foreign investment to the field remain the main factors for revitalizing Moldova’s industry, experts Ion Tornea and Sergiu Tirigan said in a debate staged by the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul” and Radio Free Europe. Speaking about Moldova’s reindustrialization after the dismemberment of the USSR, the experts said the share of industry in the GDP fell from 60% before 1989 to 15% at present. According to them, 70% of the companies that worked in 1989 were closed, while the number of employees decreased from 456,000 to 148,000. Unlike other countries, like Slovakia for example, which also lost the old production relations and a part of the export markets, Moldova didn’t manage to modernize its enterprises after the production technologies for the former Soviet military complex were withdrawn.
● WEDNESDAY, May 11
Transnistrian leader signs anti-crisis plan
The leader of Transnistria Yevgheny Shevchuk signed a law that contains a number of amendments aimed at reducing the negative impact on the region’s economy. The anti-crisis plan was worked out by the so-called executive of Transnistria last month. According to the Transnistrian press, the new amendments provide for a reduction of up to 10% in the income tax for producers that use local raw material. The common social tax is decreased from 25% to 12% for companies that create new jobs. Plots of land intended for constructions will be provided free for long-term use.
EBRD interested in developing relations with Moldova
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is interested in developing relations of cooperation with Moldova at all the levels, including in supporting investment projects, the Bank’s president Suma Chakrabarti said in a working meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Octavian Calmac, who is taking part in the EBRD 2016 Annual Meeting in London on May 10-12. According to the Ministry of Economy’s press service, Suma Chakrabarti said the EBRD monitors the developments in Moldova following the voting in of the new Government and welcomes central authorities’ efforts aimed at implementing efficient reforms in all the social-economic spheres. The steps taken by the Moldovan authorities started to give the first positive signs of stabilization and therefore the EBRD is interested in a constructive and long-lasting dialogue at all the levels, including in the banking sector, energy, roads and infrastructure. The management of the European funds for implementing the DCFTA and financially supporting the private sector is the last initiative.
Moldova implemented digital television faster than Romania, ANCOM
Moldova has implemented digital television faster than Romania even if the two countries were issued with licenses simultaneously, the president of the National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications of Romania (ANCOM) Catalin Marinescu stated for IPN. The Romanian official is taking part in the Regional Conference of Broadcasters and Producers of Radio and TV Transmission Equipment that is held in Chisinau on May 11-13.
According to him, the digital television is an important step forward because the users can access more programs and of a higher quality. The implementation of digital television in Moldova was favored by the relief. “The mountains in Romania make the coverage of the territory more difficult, but digital television develops in Romania too. We hope to have at least one multiplex with 90% coverage by the end of this year,” stated Catalin Marinescu.
● THURSDAY, May 12
Moldova to benefit from WTO technical assistance for trade facilitation
The Republic of Moldova will receive technical assistance for trade facilitation from the World Trade Organization. In this regard, the Cabinet on May 11 approved the bill on the acceptance of the Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization. The document contains a set of measures for facilitating regional and international trade by reducing the administrative, tariff and nontariff barriers. Under the protocol, the developing member states of the WHO will benefit from technical assistance in the implementation of its provisions.
New arrests in case of BEM frauds
The director of a limited liability company was arrested on suspicion that the illegally obtained a loan of about €1.2 million from Banca de Economii (BEM), causing thus considerable damage to the bank. According to the National Anticorruption Center, the loan was released when BEM was managed by Grigore Gachikevich. The National Anticorruption Center is investing a number of cases concerning the frauds committed at Banca de Economii and Banca Sociala. In particular, these refer to illegal obtaining of loans, violation of lending rules, misuse of power, money laundering, defective management of the two banks and obstruction of bank surveillance.
“Expert-Grup” points to irregularities in building of access road to Humulesti
Experts of the independent think tank “Expert-Grup” identified a number of irregularities in the process of holding the tender contest to choose the contractor and in the construction of the access road to Humulesti village of Chisinau municipality. Specialists of the think tank who analyzed the documents on public procurement ascertained major risks of contest fixing. Expert Iurie Morcotylo told a news conference that the works started in 2013, when the decision to build that road segment was taken. “Humulesti village has 230 inhabitants. The General Public Transport and Communications Division of the City Hall provided no explanations why namely that road segment had to be built. Initially, the intent announcement said the construction works will cost 6.7 million lei, while the purchase plan, which wasn’t published in the Public Procurement Bulletin, indicated a thrice higher figure,” he stated.
Sanitary control post at Tudora border crossing point inaugurated
The sanitary veterinary and phytosanitary control post at the Tudora border crossing point in Stefan Voda district was inaugurated. Prime Minister Pavel Filip underlined the efforts made by the Government to improve the business climate by reducing administrative pressure, to simplify the customs procedures, to reduce the number of authorizing documents by 25% and to decrease the number of inspection bodies. “I want to assure you that the improvement of the conditions in business is among the Government’s top priorities. That’s why the modernization of this customs post by optimizing the sanitary veterinary and phytosanitary control procedures in accordance with the European requirements will enable to facilitate the commercial operations on the state border and to supply the Moldovan people with healthy and safe agrifood products,” stated Pavel Filip.
European funds for developing free trade areas
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU) are stepping up their support for businesses in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. A new joint program will help local entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between each country and the EU. The EBRD will provide €380 million in loans and trade guarantees to local partner banks and other financial institutions for on-lending to businesses, while the EU will make available €19 million for technical assistance, investment incentives and risk-sharing. According to a press release of the EBRD, the establishment of a free trade area is part of the EU’s Association Agreements with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine signed in 2014. It will offer local businesses access to the EU’s single market, the world’s largest, and help boost economic development and growth in the three countries. The signing marks the first phase of a planned €1.2 billion EBRD/EU program to which the EU is expected to provide €56.5 million in funding to help businesses invest in improvements of product quality and service standards. This, in turn, will prepare them for the DCFTA and create an environment conducive to cross-border trade, job creation and economic growth in the three countries.
● FRIDAY, May 13
EU launches project to support agriculture and rural development in Gagauzia
New jobs, new business development opportunities, better and more accessible public services, more sustainable communities. Here are some benefits for the inhabitants of Gagauzia region and Taraclia district, from the project “Support to Agriculture and Rural Development for the regions of Gagauzia and Taraclia” (SARD), launched today, May 13, in Comrat. Financed by the EU with €6.5 million, SARD Project will be implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). According to a press release of UNDP, the Project aims to build confidence and intensify the cooperation between national authorities/structures and the regional ones from Gagauzia region and Taraclia district in the next three years. This will boost socio-economic development of the region and of the Republic of Moldova overall.
Minister of agriculture invited to Russia
Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Eduard Grama was invited to take part in the thematic events that will be held in a number of towns in Russia. On May 13, the official had a meeting with Russia’s Ambassador in Chisinau Farit Muhametshin. The two discussed the development of the Moldovan-Russian relations and bilateral trade. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, Eduard Grama informed the Russian diplomat about their readiness to take the measures needed to ensure and monitor the quality of the Moldovan products intended for export to Russia.
● Saturday, May 14
Andrian Candu: IMF mission with full mandate could come in June
A mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with a full mandate for negotiating an agreement with Moldova could come to Chisinau in June , Speaker of Parliament Andrian Candu stated in the program “Pahomi” on Realitatea TV channel. According to the Speaker, the money is important, but it is more important to regain the confidence of such an important partner for Moldova as the IMF. “That’s why all the discussions that are held, and these are held daily and weekly, led to the agreement that an IMF mission will visit Moldova on May 23-27 for the last discussions concerning the cleanup of the banking system and the reforms required in the field, which form part of the cooperation program with the International Monetary Fund as a condition,” said Andrian Candu.