● MONDAY, May 22

Romanian electricity market operator to open branch in Moldova

The Romanian electricity market operator (OPCOM) plans to open a branch in the Republic of Moldova, which would ensure trading in electricity. The issue was discussed by Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov during his visit to Bucharest, IPN reports, quoting a press release of the Ministry of Energy.

Energocom last autumn opened a subdivision in Rumania and this enabled to make power purchases when there was a shortage of electricity on the domestic market. The delegation of the Moldovan Ministry of Energy visited Transgaz and Transelectrica and had meetings with the administration of two companies.

Number of tourists and excursionists in first three months up 18%

The tourists and excursionists who took part in tourism organized by travel agencies and tour operators  in the first three months of this year numbered 44,500 or by 18.6% more than in January-March 2022.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the higher number of tourists and excursionists in the period was due to the rise in the number of participants in outbound tourism (Moldovans who travelled abroad) by 12,100 (+74.2%) and in inbound tourism (foreigners who travelled to Moldova) by 1,900 (+58.2%). Domestic tourism decreased by 38.9% or 7,000 persons compared with January-March 2022.

● TUESDAY, May 23

Long-term state securities could be traded on Stock Exchange

The Ministry of Finances starts to issue state securities with a long circulation term. At the tender contest of May 24, large investors will be able to purchase government bonds maturing in two, three, five and seven years.

“This operation allows investors to invest the available resources in government bonds at interest rates of 8.00% (maturity of two years), 8.25% (maturity of three years), 8.50% (maturity of five years) and 9.00% (maturity of seven years). The interest provided by the Ministry is considered advantageous against the rate of inflation that, according to the last forecast round, in the second quarter of 2024 will be minimum 3.9%,” runs a press release.

Air Moldova extends flights suspension period until June 16

Air Moldova airline has prolonged the flights suspension period until June 16. The passengers whose flights were cancelled received notification through email. The persons can ask for a full refund of the price of ticket by following the instructions received in the email.

PM Recean about cancelation of flights: All necessary flights will be covered by July

“We cooperate with all the airlines of the region and received promises that a number of the flights will be operated by these companies. New flights will be provided gradually and by July we must cover all the flights needed by our citizens,” Prime Minister Dorin Recean said when he was asked by journalists to comment on the continuous cancelation of flights.

Premier Recean noted that the Government is working with companies operating in Hungary, Poland, Romania and with local airlines.

● WEDNESDAY, May 24

Daniel Vodă: 44 leaders confirmed their presence at EPC Summit

The decision to hold the European Political Community Summit at a winery was taken out of respect for the wine industry that resisted the bans and the multiple crises that hit the Republic of Moldova, said the Government’s spokesman Daniel Vodă. According to him, the Mimi Castle winery is the only one in Moldova that provides spaces for staging an event of such a sale. Daniel Vodă avoided specifying the costs incurred by Moldova for staging this event, noting that some of the purchases are secret.

Mihai Mogîldea: EPC Summit can bring more investments to Moldova

The hosting of the second European Political Community Summit will offer multiple benefits to the Republic of Moldova, primarily the acceleration of the European integration process and the development of relations with the European states, said the expert of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE) Mihai Mogîldea. According to him, beyond the diplomatic benefits, an event of such a scale increases the country’s visibility at foreign level and enables to attract investments.

EU allocates €8m in grant funding to support Moldovan entrepreneurs

The European Union allocates €8 million in the form of grants for co-financing seven state programs implemented by the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA). A grant contract for the EU4Business project was signed on Wednesday. The project aims to support rural communities, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization Dumitru Alaiba announced in a news conference.

Germany provides €38.7m in non-reimbursable assistance to Moldova

Germany will offer €38.7 million in non-reimbursable assistance to Moldova for financing the Ecological Energy Production and Energy Efficiency Project. As the prices of building materials grew, Moldova will also get €10 million for supplementing the budget of the Water Supply and Sanitation in Cahul District Project II. In this regard, the Government approved a bilateral agreement with the Government of Germany.

Turkey remains among top destinations preferred by Moldovans this summer season

Turkey remains among Moldovans’ favorite destinations for spending the summer vacation this year. This is mostly due to affordable prices and high-level services. Vacationers with smaller budgets choose the Bulgarian seaside. There are also those who prefer active rest and purchase tours with excursions.

● FRIDAY, May 26

Head of EIB Representation: We support rehabilitator of roads in Moldova

The rehabilitation of roads, energy efficiency and the support for SMEs are the key areas in which the funds of the European Investment Bank (EIB) are invested. According to the Head of the EIB Representation for the Republic of Moldova Alberto Carlei, the cooperation with the Moldovan authorities is productive and the EIB portfolio in Moldova this year rose to €1.1 billion.

The EIB official noted that the Moldovan authorities’ requests for financing for infrastructure projects have grown in number. The money borrowed from the EIB is primarily invested in the modernization of units of transport and road infrastructure.

Energocom to buy €200 million worth of gas

The Inter-ministerial Committee for Strategic Planning today instructed the state company Energocom to buy €200 million worth of gas at market prices.

Half of the sum is a grant from the Norwegian Government, and the other half is a preferential loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.