● TUESDAY, October 15

Over 27bn lei collected into state budget by Customs Service in 9 months

The Customs Service collected 27.84 billion lei into the state budget in nine months of this year, which is 74% of the annual budget projections.

The VAT represented the largest share in the structure of payments – 66.4% or over 18.4 billion lei. Over 7.5 billion lei or 27 percent of the amounts collected into the state budget came from import excise duties, and 1.7 billion lei or 6.3 percent - from customs duties.

Chisinau to host three agricultural exhibitions

Three agricultural exhibitions will be held in Chisinau from Thursday to Sunday. Moldagrotech, Farmer and the Golden Autumn are hosted by the International Exhibitions Center Moldexpo.

“This year we will have three events in one. It will not be just an exhibition with visual content. We have the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, which is to design an important business plan,” said the director of Moldexpo Zinaida Popa. The program will start with the “Ministry Hour” during which the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry will ensure an exchange of experience, training and networking for visitors.

Development of Moldova's economy discussed in Brussels

Moldova continues to develop the market economy so that more companies and more citizens in the country can make use of the opportunities available on the European market. This is the message disseminated by representatives of the Moldovan government at a bilateral meeting entitled “Economic criterion, an important stage in the country’s path towards European integration”, which was held on Monday in Brussels.

● WEDNESDAY, October 16

What does €1.8 billion offered by EU actually mean for Moldovans?

The European Union has taken an essential step towards supporting the development of the Republic of Moldova, approving an unprecedented financial package of €1.8 billion. This economic growth plan is part of a broad project aimed at accelerating Moldova’s accession to the EU, strengthening its capacity to implement essential reforms and stimulating the national economy. IPN explains what this plan entails and how the money can be spent.

Investments of almost US55m in energy efficiency of public buildings

About US$55 million in the next five years will be invested in the energy efficiency of public buildings in the Republic of Moldova, in the modernization of the thermal energy supply system and in emergency response measures. The Cabinet on Wednesday approved the draft law on the ratification of the loan agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the implementation of the Sustainable Transition Through Energy Efficiency in Moldova Project.

Cabinet approves “First Home Plus” program

The Cabinet has approved the “First Home Plus” program. The maximum value of the homes purchased through the agency of the program is increased from 1 million to 2.5 million lei.

NBM conducts campaign on smart spending and calculated budget

The National Bank of Moldova (NBM) disseminates informative and educational materials on how to manage the budget, increase revenues and reduce expenses. The publications are part of a national financial education campaign carried out by the central bank and the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”.

● THURSDAY, October 17

What does €1.8 billion offered by EU actually mean for Moldovans?

The European Union has taken an essential step towards supporting the development of the Republic of Moldova, approving an unprecedented financial package of €1.8 billion. This economic growth plan is part of a broad project aimed at accelerating Moldova’s accession to the EU, strengthening its capacity to implement essential reforms and stimulating the national economy. IPN explains what this plan entails and how the money can be spent.

Moldexpo hosts agricultural exhibitions with over 200 participants

The exhibitions Moldagrotech and Farmer were opened at the Moldexpo Exhibition Center in Chisinau. Over 200 exhibitors from Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Austria, Italy, Bulgaria, Belarus, and Poland displayed their products. Those wishing to visit the two exhibitions and agricultural fair can do it from Thursday to Sunday.

One step closer to private pension, first license issued

The National Commission for Financial Markets (NCFM) granted the first license for the management of optional pension funds, to “Aragonn Grup” Voluntary Pension Funds Management Company, whose founder is the insurance company “Asterra Grup”.

Wizz Air reopens Chisinau base, plans to resume flights in December

Wizz Air is reopening its operation base at the Chisinau International Airport, with flights to resume from December 16, representatives for the Hungarian low-cost airline told a press conference Thursday.

The airline also plans to add new flights to its Chisinau portfolio, connecting the Moldovan capital to a total of 16 destinations.

● FRIDAY, October 18

Moldovagaz remains without administration. Stalemate between authorities and Gazprom

Moldovagaz has to make purchases for the winter, from January to April, but the process is blocked because there is no one to make decisions, said Seregiu Tofilat, a member of the company’s Supervisory Board. Tofilat proposes instituting external management at Moldovagaz, so that the country does not run out of gas. A draft law in this regard was submitted to Parliament and is to be included in the agenda of the next sitting.

Original products from local entrepreneurs exhibited at fair in central Chisinau

The Local Producers’ Fair transformed the square of the Metropolitan Cathedral in central Chisinau into a real big house. The third event of the kind involves more than 80 women entrepreneurs from different districts of the country and also from the Transnistrian region and Ukraine.

● SATURDAY, October 19

Moldovans took out more loans in September

In September, new loans granted amounted to 6,286 million lei, marking an 11.6% increase compared to August. The majority—75.5%—represented loans in lei, totaling 4,748.9 million lei. In terms of loan terms, the most requested were those with durations from 2 to 5 years, accounting for 54.5% of the total loans granted.