● MONDAY, April 15
Premiere for Moldova: Ten wine companies are taking part in Vinitaly exhibition
The Italian city of Verona is hosting the international exhibition Vinitaly - the most important wine and spirits fair that gathers together wine sector operators from international markets. The Republic of Moldova is represented, for the first time, by ten wine companies within the pavilion of Italy’s Ministry of Agriculture.
High-performance mobile scanner to be purchased for Tudora-Starokazacie customs post
A high-performance mobile scanner for trucks will be bought for the Tudora-Starokazacie customs post located on the border with Ukraine to streamline freight traffic and reduce the risk of smuggling. USAID, through its Moldova Institutional and Structural Reforms Activity, provides assistance to the Moldovan Customs Service in purchasing the equipment that is requested by freight carriers.
Taxpayers can request refund of excess income tax withheld
Starting with May 1, the State Tax Service will receive applications for the refund of the excess income tax paid or withheld from the resident individual of the Republic of Moldova for 2023. The application submitted before the set deadline is examined starting with the day following the deadline for submitting the income tax return.
Seed and planting materials fair opening in central Chisinau April 18
A fair dedicated to seed and planting materials will be set up in Chisinau near the Central Market on Varlaam Street. Deputy Mayor Olga Ursu organized a meeting with domestic producers, at which it was decided to open the fair on April 18.
● TUESDAY, April 16
Over 180 applications for milk subsidies submitted to AIPA
More than 180 applications were submitted to the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA) for direct payments per kilogram of cow’s milk. The total value of the requested subsidies is 69 million lei.
● WEDNESDAY, April 17
EBRD provides loan for building Balti-Suceava overhead power line
The Cabinet approved the ratification of the loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on the construction of the Balti-Suceava overhead power line within the project “Moldova and Romania Power Interconnection, Phase II”.
Tender contest at Airport to be relaunched
The Chisinau International Airport has announced that it will relaunch the tender contest to lease out commercial spaces for Travel Retail & Food and Beverages activities as only one company – Lagardère Travel Retail – applied to take part. The members of the contest commission ascertained that the bidder didn’t submit all the supporting documents to qualify for the final stage.
● THURSDAY, April 18
Igor Grosu: Andrei Spînu does his job well and is well-intentioned
The failure of the tender contest at the Chisinau International Airport damages the image, but the process must be continued so that this strategic facility is permanently taken out of the control of the bandits, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu said after a new tender contest to lease out commercial spaces at the Airport failed. The official noted that the tender must be continued so that a reputable company that has international experience in managing commercial spaces comes to the Airport.
Capital market development opportunities discussed in Washington by NBM delegation
The development of the capital market will provide financing alternatives for companies as well as investment opportunities. The Republic of Moldova also undertook to modernize the economy and ensure the financial stability and prosperity for the Moldovan citizens, said the governor of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) Anca Dragu, who leads a delegation that is taking part in the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) in Washington.
After Gazprom, Inter RAO can also lose positions in Moldova
After eliminating Gazprom’s monopoly on the national gas market, Moldova is about to obtain an advantageous alternative to electricity from Moldavskaya GRES, which is owned by Inter RAO (Russia).
In an interview for the Azerbaijani publication Report, Romania’s Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja spoke about the project to transport electricity from Azerbaijan via an electric cable on the bottom of the Black Sea to Romania, taking into account the needs of the Republic of Moldova.
Public Property Agency launches new website
The Public Property Agency (PPA) has launched a new website. The institution assures that the information will be updated in due course. Also today, the training platform for members of the boards of state-owned enterprises was presented.
● FRIDAY, April 19
IMF mission comes to Moldova to take stock of recent economic developments
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Clara Mira will visit Chisinau during April 22 – May 2, 2024. In a press statement, IMF Resident Representative in the Republic of Moldova Svetlana Cerović says that the mission will hold combined discussions with the authorities in the context of the fifth review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangements, and the first review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
Cricova Winery exported 70% of its production to EU
Some 70% of Cricova Winery’s exports last year were destined for EU markets. It goes to a volume of about 2 million bottles sold on the Romanian market and 1.2 million bottles sold in other European countries.
● SATURDAY, April 20
Number of visitors to Moldova in 2023 broke 2019 historical record
For 20 years, from 2004 until now, Moldovan guesthouses, a practically non-existent tourism sector, managed to welcome almost 50,000 visitors, both local and foreign. In the last three years alone, the number of visitors has tripled compared to what it was before the pandemic. Last year, 391,000 people visited the Republic of Moldova, breaking the historical record of 2019, when 375,000 tourists were registered, said Veaceslav Ioniță, economic policies expert of the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives “Viitorul”.
Moldovans borrowed more money in March
The new loans in March amounted to 5.144,3 billion lei, up 12.1% compared to February. The loans repayable in 2 to 5 years remain the most popular ones, with a share of 59.6% of the total loans released.
According to the National Bank of Moldova, the loans in national currency represented the major part (74.9%) and amounted to 3.852,1 billion lei, up 9.6% compared to the previous month.
Dräxlmaier brings news investments to Moldova
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said it is lending up to 75 million euro ($80.1 million) to German automotive components manufacturer Draexlmaier Group for investments in electric mobility and general capital expenditures in three countries of Southeast Europe - Romania, North Macedonia and Moldova.
