TUESDAY, January 2
Lower roaming charges between Moldova and EU took effect
From January 1, 2024, roaming charges between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union are lower. An agreement to this effect, which was signed last year between national operators and a number of European operators, came into force on Monday, IPN reports, with reference to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.
Moldovan apples are in demand
Despite serious fears of market participants for fresh apple price collapse after russian embargo on all produce imports from Moldova and the more recent blockage of the Red See, which is the main route for apple exports to the Middle East and Asia, the worse case scenario did not materialize, IPN reports, with reference to EastFruit.com.
NBM governor: We will strive for the economy to gain strength
The governor of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) Anca Dragu said that the Bank’s team will ensure Moldova has a financial system that is not only resilient to crises, but also capable of contributing to sustainable economic growth and development of the country, a banking system compatible with the European area.
At what price gas will be bought in January-April 2024
JSC Energocom and JSC Moldovagaz signed a contract for the sale and purchase of natural gas to satisfy the needs of consumers on the right bank of the Nistru in January-April 2024.
“Farmers’ Force” Association seeks explanations over delay in delivery of Romanian diesel fuel
The “Farmers’ Force” Association said the situation with Romanian diesel fuel turned “ridiculous”. “Over 1,500 farmers, who suffered as a result of the drought in 2022, submitted files to the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA) based on the regulations approved by the Government. But the fuel did not come,” the Association stated.
Year starts with declines in fuel prices
The year 2024 began with lower prices for the main oil products of standard type. The National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) has announced a decrease of 0.15 lei per liter of diesel fuel and of 0.05 lei per liter of gasoline COR 95.
Budgetary institutions and municipal enterprises to optimize costs as from January 1
Budgetary authorities and institutions, public institutions under self-management, municipal enterprises managed by the Chisinau Municipal Council and joint stock companies in which the CMC holds a share of more than 50% will cut current costs for operating activities by at least 10% starting with January 1, 2024. The decision was taken by the Commission for Emergency Situations (CES) of the municipality of Chisinau.
● WEDNESDAY, January 3
Temperatures in January will be above normal values
Meteorologists forecast that average monthly air temperature in January will be above the usual values, the norm being -2 - 4 degrees Celsius. The forecasts are made following the analysis of climatic materials.
Transnistrian economic agents to pay customs duty based on general principles
Starting January 1, all economic agents, including those from the Transnistrian region, will pay the customs duty in accordance with general principles, taking into account the preferences granted under international treaties and agreements to which Moldova is a party.
Moldova and Ukraine with related interests in gas sector
Ukraine’s gigantic gas reserves that were built during the Soviet Union to ensure the Kremlin’s gas monopoly on Europe are now serving the opposite goal: helping Europe get off the Kremlin’s gas needle, according to Financial Times.
Last year, European firms turned to Ukraine, home to the largest gas reserves in Europe, to store reserves. Analysts say this allowed utilities and traders to only tap modest volumes from EU-based storage, helping keep gas prices low and easier to refill inventories, IPN reports, with reference to Ukrainian press.
Ministry of Finance: Budgetary parameters for Chisinau municipality didn’t decrease, but increased
The budgetary parameters approved in the 2024 State Budget Law for the Chisinau municipal budget didn’t decrease, but increased. Thus, the volume of transfers from the state budget to the Chisinau municipal budget for 2024 grew by about 39.5 million lei compared to the parameters stipulated in the first circular of August 2023. The clarification was made by the Ministry of Finance in response to the statements by the mayor of Chisinau Ion Ceban.
● THURSDAY, January 4
Environment Agency issues permits to Rybnitsa Steel Works
The Environment Agency has issued two permits to the Rybnitsa Steel Works – one for waste management and another one for the emission of air pollutants from stationary sources into the atmosphere. Both of the permits are valid until October 20, 2024, IPN reports, with reference to RFE/RL’s Moldovan Service.
Taxpayers will independently print waybill and consignment note
Taxpayers will draw up and print independently the waybill and the consignment note. A decision drafted by the Ministry of Finance provides that the State Tax Service will no longer print these documents in a centralized way. According to the authors of the initiative, this will simplify the process of record-keeping, issuance, storage and use of standard forms of primary documents with special regime.
Over 13bn lei transferred by CNAM for medical and pharmaceutical services in 2023
The National Health Insurance Company (CNAM) in 2023 transferred more than 13 billion lei for medical and pharmaceutical services provided to the population. The amount is by about 1.8 billion lei higher than a year before, IPN reports, quoting CNAM data.
25 outbreaks of bird flu in only ten days
Twenty-five outbreaks of bird flu were reported in the country in the last week of December and in the first two days of this year. The National Food Safety Agency urges the population to keep birds inside yards and to immediately notify the veterinarian if they notice clinical signs of the disease.
Over 11,000 people employed with ANOFM support
More than 11,000 people found a job in 2023 with the support of the National Employment Agency (ANOFM) and its territorial subdivisions. The unemployed represent 80.7% of this number.
● FRIDAY, January 5
Romania, among leaders of transformations in Eastern Europe
Over the past five years, Romania has most swiftly narrowed the gap with rich countries of “old Europe”, compared with other Eastern European countries, IPN reports, with reference to an analysis by the Sofia Institute for Market Economics based on Eurostat data, which was published in “Dnevnik.bg”.
About 35m lei spent to start construction of military unit in Chisinau
In 2023, the Ministry of Defense allocated over 65 million lei for repairing the barracks of the anti-aircraft missile regiments in Dănceni village and in Căușeni town and the barracks of motorized infantry brigade No. 1 in Bălți, and also for restoring military camps and a military equipment and ammunition storage base. The costs for the first stage of the project to build a modern military unit in Băcioi village of the municipality of Chisinau amounted to 35 million lei.
Bridge over the Gârla Mare River opened
The bridge over the Gârla Mare River located on the R16 Balti–Falesti–Sculeni–Ungheni road, km 62.38, near Medeleni, was opened. The bridge started to be repaired in early June 2023.
Sunflower, between home and world market prices
Prices on the world market of sunflower oil have decreased, but the trend has not yet manifested itself in Moldova, IPN reports, with reference to Iurie Rija, executive director of the Association of Exporters and Importers of Agricultural and Cereal Products “Agrocereale”.
Warnings for citizens who intend to go to Israel to work in construction sector
The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection provided clarification for citizens willing to go to work in the construction sector in Israel. More specifically, the institution announces that the 29th round of implementation of the Moldovan-Israeli construction sector agreement, planned for December 2023, is temporarily postponed.
State will every autumn secure gas supplies of 15% of average annual consumption
Starting with 2024, every year by November 1, Moldova will build up natural gas supplies in the proportion of 15% of the average annual consumption. The Ministry of Energy said that this is a practice at European Union level and its implementation will ensure the country is more protected in case of exceptional situations in the natural gas sector.
● SATURDAY, January 6
Digital payment services, instant payments are among NBM’s priorities for 2024
This year, the National Bank of Moldova will continue promoting the digitization of payment services and the modernization of the automated interbank payment system. Efforts will also be focused on implementing instant payments in the near future. The NBM also says that it will ensure supervision of the ICT sector to improve the resilience of banks and ensure adequate protection against cyber threats and attacks.
Moldova set to exceed global average consumption of 140 cups of coffee annually
Whereas in 1995 an average Moldovan adult consumed 3 cups of ground coffee annually, in 2023 the number increased to 134, and already in 2024 it is estimated to reach 153 cups. Veaceslav Ioniță, economist with the IDIS Viitorul think-tank, says that 2024 can be declared the year of coffee in Moldova, because Moldovans have exceeded the global average consumption of 140 cups of coffee annually per adult.
Fowling banned along Moldova’s eastern border
A ban on fowling has been introduced along the eastern border of Moldova by the Ștefan Vodă District Emergency Commission after bird flu was reported in the village of Olănești.
The ban targets all wildfowl, including waterfowl. If any sick or dead birds are detected, the public is asked to notify the authorities immediately.
Moldovan wine exports brought in $111 million last year
The European Union was the main destination of Moldovan wine exports in 2023, with 45% of the total. Another 29% went to other countries of the world, and 26% to CIS countries. Last year, Moldovan wine exports brought more than $111 million to the country.
Official reserve assets topped $5.4 billion at end of last year
As of the end of December 2023, the official reserve assets amounted to $5.45 billion, by $293.43 million more from November.
The National Bank attributes the increase to several factors. One is the loans totaling $94.17 million offered by the IMF under the ECF and EFF arrangements. Also, the Ministry of Finance received $75.73 million in non-refundable budget support from the European Commission, intended for the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund.
