● MONDAY, September 26
Maia Sandu: There is no certainty that Gazprom will stick to contract with Moldovagaz
The Moldovan authorities are not sure that the Russian supplier Gazprom will stick to the contract signed with Moldovagaz. As from October 1, the purchase price of gas is to decrease considerably according to the contract, said President Maia Sandu, referring to the discussions held in last Saturday’s meeting of the Supreme Security Council, IPN reports. “The authorities are ready to act in any situation, according to the scenarios designed earlier. The citizens will enjoy the Government’s support the coming winter, as they did last winter,” noted the official.
Price of diesel fuel down 0.20 lei
The price of diesel fuel had decreased and will cost 25.81 lei/liter on Tuesday. Gasoline COR 95 will be sold for at most 24.02 lei/liter, down 0.05 lei. The National Agency for Energy Regulation said the declines on international stock exchanges influence fuel prices down.
● Tuesday, September 27
National Wine Day to be held in central square of Chisinau Oct. 1-2
The 21st edition of the National Wine Day will take place in the Great National Assembly Square of Chisinau on October 1 and 2. The slogan this year is “My wine brings peace, turns hatred into love”, which is a call for solidarity with the wine industry and the effort made to develop this sector. Over 80 wine producers from all over the country will come together to present their accomplishments.
Investment opportunities of Moldova discussed in Tokyo
Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița encouraged members of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai) to consider the advantages offered by the Republic of Moldova to investors. The Premier mentioned the free economic zones, simplified customs procedures, duty-free export to the EU. The subject was raised in a meeting with Osamu Mogi, chair of the Association’s International Affairs Committee, in Tokyo, IPN reports, with reference to the Government’s press service.
● Wednesday, September 28
Associations want tourism organ in central public administration
Representatives of a number of tourism associations plead for the creation of a specialized tourism organ of the central public administration – the National Tourism Office. According to them, the tourism industry should not be regarded as an ordinary branch of the national economy that can be transferred from one institution to another. It should be represented by a tourism organ of the central public administration that would ensure the implementation of state policies on tourism.
CUB demands to investigate persons who negotiated contract for supply of gas in 2021
The Committee for Unity and Welfare (CUB) demands that all the state functionaries who in 2021 negotiated the contract for the supply of natural gas should be investigated on charges of intentional undermining of the national economy and supporting of separatism. Representatives of the Committee said the supply of natural gas to the consumers who do not pay their debts from the eastern districts, named territory occupied by a separatist regime, should be immediately halted and the debts accumulated by the left side of the Nistru, which cannot be attributed to the household or industrial users from the Republic of Moldova or to the public debt, should be explicitly denounced.
Public sector salaries to be paid through MPay, draft law
Public sector salaries could be dispensed through the governmental electronic payment system MPay, in a similar fashion to social welfare payments. A draft law to this effect was formally approved by Parliament’s Economy Commission.
The authorities say this method will reduce the operational effort of public agencies through a greater automation, in addition to cutting costs of related activities.
● Thursday, September 29
“Solidarity lanes” for facilitating Ukraine’s trade, forum
The war in Ukraine led to the blocking of transport corridors, especially of Ukrainian ports. This mobilized the European Union and the counties neighboring Ukraine, including the Republic of Moldova, to offer support and propose new initiatives for transport corridors, creating the so-called “solidarity lanes” . The issue was discussed in the “International Trade Facilitation Forum – Response to Blockade of Transport Corridors from Ukraine” that was held in Chisinau.
Gas stores to be created and maintained for exceptional situations
The Government approved a draft decision on the creation and maintaining of security natural gas stores. The authorities said the goal of the initiative is to make sure there are reserve solutions as regards the supply of natural gas in emergencies. In accordance with the document, SA “Energocom” will be in charge of the creation and maintaining of security natural gas stores. Within a month of the coming into force of the decision, the company will open a distinct bank account for fulfilling the obligation to create and maintain security stores.
Government approves unification of national minimum pay
The Cabinet on Thursday approved the unification of the national minimum pay for a full working program of 169 hours. The national minimum pay will be 3,500 lei both in the public sector and in the real sector.
● Friday, September 30
Victor Parlicov: Something is being planned as Gazprom didn’t reserve capacities for transporting gas
As from October 1, the Russian concern Gazprom will either fully halt the supplies of natural gas or the supplies volumes will be reduced, said energy expert Victor Parlicov. According to him, the switchover to the winter formula, which is advantageous to the Republic of Moldova, can make Russia halt the supplies. The good side is that the authorities anticipated such a scenario and the plan to economize on natural gas and purchase it from alternative sources is a realistic one.
MPs vote in favor of annulment of duty-free regime
Parliament gave a first reading to a bill providing for the annulment of the duty-free regime all over the Republic of Moldova. When the new provisions take effect, the duty-free stores will be able to work duty-free only until their licenses expire.
Consultative platform at parliamentary level would boost dialogue with business, discussion
The business community wants to be part of the decision-making process and consultations involving the business should not remain formal. A consultative platform at the level of Parliament would boost the dialogue, said Viorel Pîrvan, legal expert at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Policies, during a public discussion.
● Saturday, October 1
Strategy “Chisinau Green City” presented at Chisinau Economic Forum 2022
The Strategy “Chisinau Green City”, which forms part of the framework plan for green cities, was presented at the 2022 Economic Forum “Invest in Chisinau”. The goal of the strategy is to improve the ecological performance and social and economic conditions in the capital city. Among the main subjects discussed in the event were the modernization of the water supply and sewerage networks, protection and development of green urban areas, rehabilitation of the Byk River, energy sustainability and efficiency and waste management.
Gross external debt down only 0.9% in second quarter
The gross external debt of the Republic of Moldova decreased insignificantly in the second quarter of this year, by 0.9%. On June 30, the gross external debt was US$8.687,24 billion, which is 60.9% of the Gross Domestic Product (-3.2 percentage points on December 31, 2021), IPN reports, quoting preliminary data of the National Bank of Moldova. The long-term debt accounts for the largest part of the gross external debt. This was US$6.173,26 billion on June 30, 2022. The short-term external debt rose by 0.4% in the second quarter to US$2.513,98 billion on June 30.
Moldovagaz requested Gazprom to daily reserve additional volumes
Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spînu, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, said that if the Russian company Gazprom fulfills its contractual obligations, the amounts of gas needed by Moldovagaz can be secured through daily tender contests. For the purpose, Moldovagaz requested Gazprom to daily reserve additional volumes for both sides of the Nistru River during October 1-7.
National Wine Day brings together people in central Chisinau
Tens of people went to the Great National Assembly Square of Chisinau where almost 90 wineries exhibit their products today and tomorrow. According to the organizers, this year’s edition is a retrospect of the results achieved the past 21 years and represents homage brought to the winemaking and winegrowing community. It is a call for solidarity for the wine industry and for all those who contributed to the development of the sector.
