● MONDAY, April 22
226 applications for emergency farm loans submitted and accepted
As many as 226 applications for emergency farm loans were received between March 1 and April 19. All of them were accepted. Farmers can still apply to commercial banks for this financial instrument until May 31.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry said that farmers can obtain loans with a maximum value of 500,000 lei, which are guaranteed by the state in proportion of 90%. The instrument can also be accessed by those whose loans are placed in the substandard category, according to the National Bank of Moldova’s provisions.
ANSA director on reforms to reduce corruption and debureaucratize institution
The reforms done in recent years at the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) aimed to reduce corruption and debureaucratize the institution. At the same time, the reforms culminated in the diversification of export markets. The Republic of Moldova obtained the right to export category A eggs and also processed meat in the European Union. It also obtained the right to export walnut and apple saplings, ANSA director Radu Musteața told a press conference.
Over 100 million lei transferred via MIA Instant Payments in less than six weeks
MIA, an instant payment system developed by the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) and available through financial applications on mobile phones, already has over 100,000 users across the country. The new system, launched for the first time in the Republic of Moldova on March 12, 2024, has so far been used to transfer around 100,000,000 lei within approximately 100,000 transactions.
Government discusses economic growth priorities with IMF mission
The progress made by Moldova in implementing the ongoing program with the International Monetary Fund was discussed by Prime Minister Dorin Recean with an IMF team led by Clara Mira.
● TUESDAY, April 23
Leu appreciated by 0.8% against U.S. dollar in March
In March, the Moldovan leu appreciated by 0.8% on average against the U.S. dollar, up to 17.7064 USD/MDL.
According to the National Bank of Moldova, the coverage of net demand for foreign currency from economic agents through the net supply of foreign currency from individuals was 86.6%, compared to 90.5% in February 2024.
Moldovagaz will buy gas from tender contest winner Energocom in May as well
The joint stock company Energocom won the tender contest for the supply of gas for May initiated by Moldovagaz on the electronic trading platform managed by BRM East Energy SRL, the local branch of the Romanian Commodities Exchange. Thus, about 20 million cubic meters of gas will be delivered in May based on a formula established by Moldovagaz, which includes the TTF Front Month index.
NBM extends deadline for design competition for jubilee and commemorative coins
The National Bank of Moldova (NBM) has responded to requests from citizens to extend the deadline for the design competition for jubilee and commemorative coins, issuance of 2024 and 2025. Those interested can submit design projects until May 7, 2024, 2;00 p.m.
● WEDNESDAY, April 24
Shops will be encouraged to donate food that loses appearance but is safe
Economic agents will be encouraged to donate food products to charities and food banks to help vulnerable people and prevent food waste. It goes to food that lost its commercial aspect, but whose safety hasn’t been affected. The Cabinet approved a draft law to amend the Law on the prevention of food loss and waste and the Tax Code.
5,000 tonnes of fuel oil from state reserves to be released to Termoelectrica
The Agency for Material Reserves of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will release from the state reserves 5,000 tonnes of fuel oil to JSC Termoelectrica. A draft decision to this effect was approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday. “Termoelectrica will use the released fuel oil to produce electricity and heat. The enterprise is to transfer to the state budget, within 12 months of the date of entry into force of this decision, the equivalent value of the fuel oil, in the amount of over 102,000 lei.
State increases CFM capital with money from EBRD and EIB loans
The Ministry of Finance will allocate over 728,000 lei (equivalent to about €35,000) to increase the share capital of the state-owned enterprise Moldovan Railways (CFM). According to a draft decision approved by the Cabinet, the money is allocated from the EBRD and EIB loans.
22 municipal public institutions thermally rehabilitated and made energy efficient
Twenty-two municipal public institutions - 14 high schools, five kindergartens and three hospitals -were made more energy efficient and were thermally rehabilitated within an energy efficiency project for public buildings. The total area of institutions is over 180,000 square meters, whereas the number of final beneficiaries of the project amounts to 35,000 people.
● THURSDAY, April 25
Dan Perciun: 11 companies undertook to invest 17 million lei in model schools
Eleven private companies of the Republic of Moldova joined the Ministry of Education and will financially support the creation of the network of model schools, said Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun. According to him, the businesses agreed to invest 17 million lei in educational institutions in Moldova and this money will be used to improve school infrastructure. The provided financial resources represents an investment of the private sector in Moldova’s human capital.
National campaign to encourage cashless payments
Some 40% of citizens’ transactions are performed with physical or electronic cards. To further encourage card payments, a national information campaign titled “No cash” will be conducted between April and September. The campaign was launched by the Moldovan Banks Association in partnership with Visa and with the support of the Moldova Future Technologies Activity funded by USAID, Sweden and the UK.
Piotr Guțul: State does not want a functional law on consumer protection
The chairman of the Republican Public Association “Consumer Protection”, Piotr Guțul, accuses the senior state administration of corruption and says that they do not want a functional law on consumer protection.
In a press conference hosted by IPN, Piotr Guțul said that he sent countless requests to prime ministers, parliament speakers, heads of state and also to the Prosecutor’s Office and other inspection bodies, but didn’t receive answers that would help solve consumers’ problems.
● FRIDAY, April 26
Moldovan-German economic relations discussed in Chisinau by Federal Minister Robert Habeck
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action notes a concrete interest from German companies in investment insurance in Moldova. Federal Minister Robert Habeck discussed with a number of officials in Chisinau the need to turn this into an essential instrument of bilateral economic relations. The official invited companies to take advantage of the opportunities offered in Moldova.
Moldovagaz proposes decreasing gas charge for household consumers by 1 lei
Natural gas charges could be lowered. Moldovagaz requested the National Agency for Energy Regulation to decrease the charge for household consumers to 12.2 lei per cubic meter of gas, which is a decrease of 8.9%.
According to the draft calculations submitted to the Agency, the weighted average cost for the supply of natural gas is proposed to be reduced to 10,095 lei per thousand cubic meters or by 9.3%.
● SATURDAY, April 27
NBM governor discussing with Japanese ambassador: It is a suitable time for investment
The National Bank of Moldova contributes to the construction of a resilient and transparent financial sector, which are key for attracting investment, stated NBM governor Anca Dragu during a meeting Japan’s ambassador to Moldova Yamada Yoichiro.
The discussions focused on the evolution of macroeconomic indicators and the role of the NBM in ensuring a favorable framework for development in the perspective of Moldova’s EU membership.
Moldova’s central bank mulling banknote facelift
National Bank governor Anca Dragu has confirmed that the central bank is considering a redesign of Moldovan leu banknotes, with a series of consultations to follow.
“I’d rather not reveal any details yet, we’ll leave it for another time. But yes, this year we’ll look at the design of the Moldovan leu banknotes”, Anca Dragu told TV8.
