The defendants were found guilty of VAT fraud, issuing and using false invoices for non-existent operations worth 500 million euros, and other related tax offenses. The court ordered the confiscation of assets that had been seized during the investigation. These include cash, financial assets, and luxury goods worth over 1.1 million euros in total.

Judges have also issued seizure orders against convicted individuals and companies, related to the revenues obtained from offenses, however, the EPPO did not indicate the total value of these additional measures.

According to the investigation, the convicted individuals operated from 2018 to 2023 through a network of phantom companies that issued invoices for non-existent transactions, without reporting the collected VAT. Other companies in the network then requested the refund of the value-added tax. The estimated damage is approximately 100 million euros for invoices of half a billion euros.

The investigation was conducted by the Italian economic police under the coordination of the European Prosecutor’s Office and with the support of Europol. The law enforcement operation took place last year and led to the arrest of 13 suspects and seizure measures executed in Belgium, Hungary, Italy, Latvia and Slovakia. According to prosecutors, the trials of two other defendants continue in court.

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During the operational meeting of the municipal services, Mayor Ion Ceban stated that the municipality will try to attract a larger number of companies, including from abroad, to ensure competition at the auction and the selection of a contractor with experience in restoring historical monuments.

The head of the Capital Construction Department within the Chisinau City Hall, Andrei Ciochina, specified that the City Hall will provide information about the procurement procedure, including to the Patronage of Construction Companies in Romania and to other profile organizations, in order to encourage the participation of specialized firms.

“We invite all interested entrepreneurs to participate in this auction. It is a project of great complexity and responsibility, and all bids will be thoroughly examined, as it involves the restoration of one of the most important historical buildings in the municipality”, mentioned Andrei Ciochina.

At the same time, during the meeting, the general mayor requested that the new auction be promoted as much as possible, including through the embassies and professional organizations, and proposed the organization of a presentation meeting of the technical project for interested economic operators, so that they can ask questions before submitting their bids.

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According to the Ministry of Energy, transactions were recorded on the same day in 23 of the 24 hourly intervals, each with a volume of at least 1 MWh. The source points out that this result reflects the increasingly active participation of renewable energy producing companies and the strengthening of competitive trading mechanisms.

The Day-Ahead Market, launched in December 2025, allows participants to buy and sell electric energy for the next day, through a transparent and competitive mechanism. The platform is managed by OPEM, the electric energy market operator in the Republic of Moldova.

According to the Ministry, the development of organized markets facilitates the integration of an increasingly large amount of renewable energy into the power system, offering producers the opportunity to more efficiently exploit the energy produced, including the surplus from periods of high generation. Moreover, the increase in transaction volume contributes to the enhancement of transparency and competition in the market, as well as to the formation of prices based on demand and supply.

The Republic of Moldova has set a goal to connect its electricity market with that of the European Union by 2028, and the development of organized markets is one of the necessary steps to achieve this objective.

Currently, in the Republic of Moldova, 96 companies hold licenses for the supply of electricity, but only three operate in the competitive market. Authorities estimate that the share of this segment will increase in the coming years.

OPEM, a subsidiary of the Romanian company OPCOM, has been designated as the operator of the electricity market in the Republic of Moldova through a government decision adopted at the beginning of 2024.

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According to the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development, a total of 250 companies will receive specialized assistance. “Developing exports is essential for increasing the competitiveness of the Moldovan economy and for integrating our companies into international value chains. Through the Export Accelerator, we offer entrepreneurs the tools, expertise and support needed to adapt their products and processes to the requirements of foreign markets,” says ODA director, Vadim Codreanu.

According to the Executive Director of the “Competitiveness Improvement” Project Implementation Unit, Aureliu Casian, the program is aimed at both companies that are already exporting and are looking to expand into new markets, as well as those preparing to enter foreign markets. “Companies do not need to allocate financial resources to participate, but time, openness, and willingness to collaborate with the consulting team,” he specified.

The initiative will also contribute to the strengthening of the national ecosystem for business internationalization, through expertise transfer and the formation of a network of local specialists in the field of export development.

Companies interested in participating in the Export Accelerator can submit registration applications through the form provided by the organizers.

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According to the deputy director of the Investment Agency, Irina Tolstousov, the Romanian market is a priority for exporters from the Republic of Moldova, being a starting point for a possible future distribution on the European market.

One of the authors of the study, market research expert Andrei Crigan, points out that the Romanian market offers significant potential for Moldovan exporters. With a population of over 19 million inhabitants and a gross domestic product estimated at 380 billion euros in 2025, Romania is the 12th largest economy in the EU. Romanian retail trade exceeds 60 billion euros annually, and the e-commerce market is estimated at 8.7 billion euros in 2026.

Andrei Crigan points out that the main opportunities are in the agri-food, industrial, and service sectors. The most sought-after Moldovan products are sunflower and rapeseed seeds, wines, fresh fruits, electrical cables, and furniture. On the other hand, the expert noted that 62% of Romanians prefer local products and 45% choose these products to support the local economy.

For access to the Romanian market, Moldovan exporters must take into account mandatory requirements regarding labeling in Romanian, registration with health authorities, and compliance with the Guarantee-Return System for products bottled in plastic, glass, and metal containers. At the same time, the listing process in major commercial networks involves lengthy negotiations and adherence to strict logistical conditions.

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Mariana Rufa mentioned that the results are already visible: the share of Moldovan exports to the EU market has increased from about 35% in 2014 to approximately 66% at present, against the backdrop of legislative harmonization and company investments. According to her, the companies that have adapted to European requirements have invested in modernization, human resources, and quality standards, which has allowed them to expand into the European market.

A relevant example is the viticulture sector, which has increased its competitiveness after the removal of export restrictions on the EU market. Also, in recent years, Moldova has begun exporting poultry meat to the European market, as a result of investments in compliance with food safety standards and the strengthening of institutional capacities.

“Entrepreneurs understand the opportunities and realize that it is much more interesting for them to sell to a market of 450 million consumers than to a market of 2.4 million consumers,” mentioned Anca Dragu.

Another major advantage for companies is the country’s adherence to the SEPA European payment system. According to the National Bank, the reduction in euro transfer costs has generated savings of around 8.8 million euros in the first months of operation, amounts that have remained at the disposal of companies and citizens.

In parallel, BNM continues to assess the alignment of the legislative and banking supervision framework with EU standards. Gaining recognition from the European Banking Authority could boost the confidence of foreign investors and facilitate access to European capital on the Moldovan market.

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In a press conference, the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sergiu Harea, stated that the event will bring together companies from the agri-food, industrial and services sectors. Visitors will be able to discover local products and services, as well as information about legislative changes designed to support local producers.

The winery competition will highlight both small wine producers and wineries that contribute to the development of tourism, job creation and support of the HoReCa industry. The head of the Center for Innovation in Viticulture and Winemaking at the Technical University of Moldova, Elizaveta Breahna, stated that wineries that have invested in product development will be rewarded, and the winners will receive trophies and special badges meant to increase their visibility on the market.

The Executive Director of the National Association of Baking and Milling Industries, Victoria Graur, stated that the best domestic companies in the field of baking and milling will prepare a gigantic pie, intended to attract the local public and the event’s visitors.

The general director of Moldexpo, Zinaida Popa, emphasized that the exhibition represents an important platform through which Moldovan companies can present their achievements, identify new partners and consolidate their position in the market.

The exhibition will take place over an area of 2,000 square meters indoors and 300 square meters outdoors, at Moldexpo. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova will receive registration requests from companies wishing to participate until July 11.

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According to the project developed by the Ministry of Environment, operators who carry out activities provided in the annex of the Law on industrial emissions will be required to perform environmental risk assessments and provide a financial guarantee appropriate to the level of identified risk. The assessments must be carried out within six months from the entry into force of the regulation.

The authorities maintain that the new mechanism will ensure the necessary resources for rapid interventions in case of environmental damage and will prevent situations where remediation costs are borne by public funds. The document highlights that, currently, the lack of financial guarantees allows the transfer of ecological costs to the state, especially in cases of insolvency or liquidation of economic operators.

The regulation stipulates that the value of the guarantee will be determined based on risk assessment and may take the form of an insurance policy, a bank guarantee, or other financial instruments provided by law. The funds can be used exclusively for measures to prevent, remedy, and compensate for environmental damage.

The Ministry of Environment asserts that the new regulatory framework will contribute to reducing pollution, protecting biodiversity, and aligning national environmental responsibility mechanisms with European practices. At the same time, authorities estimate that the regulation will create economic incentives for companies to invest in preventive measures and less polluting technologies.

This journalistic material was developed by the IPN Press Agency, within the Small Grants Program for Media “Community Journalism for a Healthy Environment and Green Justice”, carried out within the project “Green Justice for a Protected Environment and Sustainable Communities in the Republic of Moldova”, implemented by the EcoContact AO, with the support of Sweden. The content of this journalistic material is the sole responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of EcoContact or the donor.

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At the 23rd edition of the gala, around 50 companies and higher education institutions were awarded the “Goddess of Quality” trophy. More than 100 enterprises were also awarded in the “Trademark of the Year 2025” competition.

Entrepreneurs who are members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and are active both on the domestic and international markets were invited to take part in the competition. In total, 500 companies submitted their participation files. Following evaluations carried out by entrepreneurs, consumers, the general public and a jury made up of specialists in accreditation, quality and trademarks, including representatives of the State Agency on Intellectual Property, 200 companies were selected to participate in the event.

The President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova, Sergiu Harea, stressed the importance of these competitions in promoting entrepreneurs and local companies, which contribute to strengthening the image of the Republic of Moldova both nationally and internationally. He noted that around 30% of the participating companies are new, highlighting the dynamism and development of local brands.

At the same time, Sergiu Harea noted that interest in these competitions is steadily growing, and that this year the number of participants was 15% higher than in previous editions, which, according to him, reflects entrepreneurs’ desire to develop their businesses in the Republic of Moldova.

Deputy Prime Minister Eugeniu Osmochescu, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalisation, said that entrepreneurs and the business environment are the main driving force behind the state’s economic development. He praised the work of the private sector, noting its orientation towards international standards and towards the quality increasingly demanded by consumers. According to him, the business environment has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity for adaptation and performance, thereby contributing to the development of the country’s economy.

Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, said the event provides an opportunity to highlight the work and achievements of businesspeople in the Republic of Moldova. In his view, the success of these companies reflects the potential of the local business environment and its contribution to strengthening the country’s reputation abroad.

Among the winners of the “Award for Achievements in the Quality of Products and Services” competition, in the services category, are Moldova State University, the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova and the “Nicolae Testemitanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

Moldova State University Rector Otilia Dandara said that a university can be an authentic academic environment only if it provides quality educational services. According to her, the institution is an important “producer” of human capital, through skills development, research results and the preparation of the country’s future. The rector also stressed that a quality economy cannot be built without strong and competitive universities.

First Vice-Rector of the “Nicolae Testemitanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Olga Cernetchi, noted that it is encouraging that both enterprises and universities providing educational services to young people in the Republic of Moldova are being recognised. According to her, USMF trains around 7,000 students, almost half of whom are international students, who represent the future of the country’s healthcare system.

The event brought together more than 300 participants, including representatives of public authorities, leaders of national companies, development partners, members of the diplomatic corps and civil society.

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At the forum, companies from the fields of information technology, marketing and communication, financial services, industry and production are expected. Moreover, other companies interested in exports, the development of international partnerships and interactions with French decision-makers and investors can also participate.

The forum is organized by the General Consulate of the Republic of Moldova in Nice, in partnership with the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ouest-Est consultancy firm in Paris.

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