● MONDAY, September 9

Producers anticipate rise in sugar prices

The unfavorable weather conditions and the high prices of agricultural inputs, protection products and fertilizers are expected to lead to higher sugar prices. The subject was discussed by the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry with sugar beet producers of the districts of Ocnița, Dondușeni, Rîșcani, and Drochia.

Citizens will purchase state securities without intermediaries from Sept. 16

Citizens of the Republic of Moldova will be able to purchase state securities without intermediaries, starting September 16, through the eVMS.md platform. The Ministry of Finance said that the people will have the most competitive interest rate on the market – 6 percent annually, and the profit obtained from VMS is not taxed.

Carriers threaten again with protests if problems they face are not solved

 The Employers’ Association of Motor Transport Operators (APOTA) published an open letter to Prime Minister Dorin Recean whereby they request the official to get involved in solving the problems that endanger the transport sector. APOTA asks the Prime Minister for an audience with the carriers to discuss and find solutions to the legal extension of permits for regular services in national traffic. Also, discussions are requested on the equipment of transport units with cash registers and on clarifications regarding the tariff regulation and the work of stations. Carriers say that the failure to solve these problems can lead to strikes in the near future.

Government’s reaction to carriers’ requests: Reform measures are for benefit of passengers

The Government’s decisions in the field of transport aim to increase the safety, fairness and quality of citizens’ journeys, and all reform measures in the field of road transport are for the benefit of passengers, the Government’s spokesman Daniel Vodă said, commenting on the carriers’ request to the Government to become involved in solving the problems that, they say, endanger the transport sector.

Only one company applies to take part in Chisinau airport tender contest

The tender contest to use commercial spaces at the Chisinau International Airport ended on Monday at noon. Lagardere company was the only company that registered as a participant.

Ministry of Agriculture specifies conditions in which drought-stricken farmers will be supported

Farmers will receive compensation if this summer’s drought and heat compromised at least 60% of their corn harvest and at least 70% of their wheat harvest. The aid will not exceed 500,000 lei per applicant, IPN reports. The regulations on granting compensation will be examined by the Cabinet on September 11, Agriculture Minister Vladimir Bolea said on Monday.

Airport extends tender contest for commercial spaces

The Chisinau International Airport has extended the deadline for submissions to participate in the tender contest for the rent of unused assets for operational purposes intended for Travel Retail & Food and Beverages. It happened after only one company registered to take part in the tender contest from September 5 until noon today.

Moldovan producers invited to China Import Export Fair

Traders from the Republic of Moldova are invited to take part in the China Import Export Fair (Canton Fair) as an opportunity to promote local products. The most important multi-branch fair in China will take place from October 15 to November 4, 2024 in the city of Guangzhou.

● TUESDAY, September 10

Ministry of Agriculture proposes special regime in agriculture. Vladimir Bolea: We rely on Romanian model

The Ministry of Agriculture suggests introducing a special regime in agriculture for farmers affected by drought, similar to the one used in Romania. Minister of Agriculture Vladimir Bolea said that once approved, the law will allow farmers to stop the rise in penalties imposed by creditors by presenting only the calamity certificate.

NBM to take part in G20 Summit for first time

The National Bank of Moldova (NMB) for the first time will attend the Global Meeting of the Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) organized in the context of the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group. The event of global importance will take place during September 11-12 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

State forcibly took over head office of administration of LLC “Gările Auto Moderne”

After employees of the Public Property Agency (PPA) appeared at LLC “Gările Auto Moderne” on August 19 to forcibly take over the assets managed by the company, on Tuesday employees of the state-owned enterprise “Real Estate Exploitation Division” forcibly entered the head office of the administration. The police also came to the scene and the private guards were removed from the entrance. Representatives of “Gările Auto Moderne”, who were not allowed to enter the building, said that this was an unprecedented abuse.

● WEDNESDAY, September 11

Central bank warns citizens to keep payment card information safe

The National Bank of Moldova warns the Moldovans to maintain a high degree of confidentiality of payment card data. This data constitutes personal information that must not be disclosed in any form, not even to representatives of banking institutions. The call comes after law enforcement officers uncovered a case of fraud through which unauthorized access to the payment card to steal money was obtained.

Customs Service is institution where bribes are paid most frequently, survey

The Customs Service tops the rankings of Moldovan institutions where bribes are paid most often. The Public Health Centers rank second, being followed by courts of law and the Police. These are the results of the national survey to assess economic agents’ perceptions and experiences of corruption in the Republic of Moldova, which was presented by the Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Corruption and was carried out by Data Inteligente (iData).

Changing face of corruption: from money to gifts. Poll

Corruption in Moldova is changing its face. Although the size of bribe increased, it took on a new form. For the informal resolution of problems in the public sector, less money is given, but they now report more to relationships and gifts. At least this is what the results of the national survey to assess economic agents’ perceptions and experiences of corruption in the Republic of Moldova, presented by the Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Corruption and conducted by Data Inteligente (iData), show.

Banca de Economii depositors start to be paid indexed amounts

The Ministry of Finance on September 11 started the process of paying the indexed amounts to Banca de Economii depositors who submitted indexation applications by August 31, 2024. Persons born before 1991 inclusive, who did not benefit from the indexation of the amount at the previous stages, can pick up the money from any office of Moldova’s Post Office.

Energocom and Moldelectrica granted status of fiscal monopoly

The joint stock company Energocom and the state-owned enterprise Moldelectrica were given the status of fiscal monopoly for the period until December 31, 2025. A decision in this regard was taken by the Cabinet.

Method of distributing 100 million lei to farmers agreed

The Cabinet decided the way in which the 100 million lei in financial aid allocated to farmers affected by drought will be distributed. Under the regulations, the maximum amount of aid cannot exceed 500,000 lei per applicant. The maximum cumulative financial aid granted to an applicant in 2024 is 1,000,000 lei, including from the aid received for the partial compensation of damage caused by natural disasters in 2023.

Support measures for farmers affected by drought

The Cabinet approved support measures for the farmers affected by drought. These include the legal suspension of payment obligations towards creditors for a period of six months. Also, the obligation to pay the outstanding debts to creditors through negotiation between the parties will be restructured, rescheduled or, as the case may be, suspended. Also, the financial guarantees issued by the credit guarantee institutions – the Organization for the Development of Entrepreneurship – will be extended.

● THURSDAY, September 12

Buildings will need energy performance certificates

New buildings, those undergoing renovation, as well as those that are to be sold or rented will necessarily go through the energy certification procedure. The Cabinet approved the regulations on the energy performance certification procedure, worked out by the Ministry of Energy. The document also provides for the establishment of an electronic register of energy certificates, which will facilitate public access to information on the energy performance of buildings.

VAT refund program for agricultural producers extended until June 2025

The value added tax refund program for agricultural producers has been extended until the June 2025 fiscal period, IPN reports, with reference to the State Tax Service. The subjects of the VAT refund program are enterprises operating in the field of agriculture, which are registered as payers of value added tax and register VAT amounts for deduction in the subsequent fiscal period.

Moldova becomes an important factor for Ukraine’s gas supply

Ukraine and Moldova intend to increase gas transmission capacities. The Ukrainian GTS Operator (GTSOU) and the Moldovan operator Vestmoldtransgaz (VMTG) are working to increase the guaranteed pumping capacity to Ukraine of at least 7 million cubic meters per day on the Trans-Balkan route, IPN reports, with reference to European Pravda of Kiev.

NBM governor highlighted Moldova’s progress at G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro

The governor of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) Anca Dragu spoke about the progress and prospects of the Republic of Moldova at the Global Meeting of the Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN), organized in the context of the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG). The event took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

● FRIDAY, September 13

Diversification of gas sources and routes, an imperative of the time

Romania seeks to support Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in ensuring the EU’s energy security. Romania and the countries concerned have the same visions on the importance of developing transport and logistics, energy and digital connection, Ana Cristina Tinca, secretary of state of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, stated in an interview for the Azerbaijani portal Trend.az.

World Bank approves $6.39 million grant to reduce pollution in the Black Sea

The World Bank approved a $6.39 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for the Blueing the Black Sea (BBSEA) GEF Regional Project. This grant will support the governments and the private sector in Georgia, Moldova, Türkiye, and Ukraine to reduce pollution in the Black Sea. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the recipient and implementing entity of the Project, IPN reports, with reference to a press release of the World Bank.

Minister of Energy: No one can now blackmail us with shortage of gas

In 2022, when the Russian company Gazprom unilaterally limited the volumes of gas delivered to the Republic of Moldova, the Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline was a real lifeline for the country’s energy security, ensuring the transport of gas from the European market. This gas pipeline, including the gas metering station in Ungheni, allows consumers on the right bank of the Nistru to be provided with the necessary gas volumes even in winter, Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov stated during his visit to Ungheni, to the gas metering station of the Iasi-Chisinau gas pipeline.

Parliament gives first reading to support measures for farmers affected by drought

The draft law that stipulates support measures for farmers affected by drought was given a first reading by Parliament. It provides for the legal suspension of payment obligations towards creditors for a period of six months. Also, the obligation to pay the outstanding debts accumulated to creditors through negotiation of the parties will be restructured, rescheduled or, as the case may be, suspended. The bill also extends the financial guarantees issued by the Organization for the Development of Entrepreneurship.

● SATURDAY, September 14

Final vote on support measures for farmers affected by drought

Farmers whose agricultural crops were affected by this year’s drought and heat will be able to request the suspension of payment obligations to creditors for a period of six months. They will also be able to renegotiate payment obligations for the accumulated debts, including interest rates and penalties, through additional agreements to existing contracts. Parliament gave a final reading to the draft law that provides for these support measures, adopting it.

BEM, Banca Socială and Unibank collected over 2.9bn lei since withdrawal of licenses

Since their licenses were withdrawn in October 2015 and until June 30, 2024, Banca de Economii, Banca Socială and Unibank have collected funds totaling 2,953,063.5 lei. The National Bank of Moldova said the liquidators continue to take measures to recover the money.