● TUESDAY, August 13

Victor Parlicov: Gas can be brought to Transnistrian region through Turkey, in reverse mode

The state of early alert was declared on the gas market so that the state institutions are vigilant and know how to act in case of a potential damage at the Sudja station in the Russian Federation, Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov stated after the Commission for Emergency Situations instituted a state of early alert on the gas market on August 8 in the context of the military actions in Russia. The minister noted that in case of a breakdown at the Sudja station, the Transnistrian region can be supplied with gas provided by Gazprom in reverse mode through Turkey.

Palanca-Maiaki-Udobnoe border crossing point to be temporarily closed on Aug. 13

The work program of the Palanca-Maiaki-Udobnoe joint border crossing point will be suspended on August 13, between 8:00 a.m. and 12 noon. The Border Police announced that maintenance works on the electricity networks will be carried out in the period.

Energocom in first six months purchased 2.132m MWh from domestic market and from imports

The joint stock company Energocom bought a total of 2.132 million MWh of power from the domestic market and from imports in the first two quarters of this year. Most of this power, 1.470 million MWh or 68.5%, was electricity produced by the Moldovan Thermoelectric Power Plant located n the Transnistrian region. The electricity delivered by the Chisinau and Balti thermal power plants totaled 409,000 MWh, while the imported electricity was about 194,000 MWh. The procurement data were made public by Energocom.

Vehicles with goods in containers to be banned entry into Moldova through Cahul-Oancea post

The crossing of means of transport with goods in containers will be restricted from August 16 at the Cahul-Oancea customs and border crossing post (road), at the entry into the country. A decision in this regard was taken by the Customs Service following an analysis.

NBM maintains countercyclical buffer rate

The countercyclical buffer rate for credit exposures located in the Republic of Moldova remains at 0% of the risk exposure amount. A decision to this effect was adopted by the Executive Board of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM).

Farmers propose instituting state of emergency in southern districts

Farmers in the south of the country are asking for a meeting with President Maia Sandu and Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu over the next 10 days to examine the need to implement an action plan to save the agricultural sector. A relevant petition signed by about 60 farmers was submitted to the President’s Office.

Planning of investments and choice of right instrument require rigorous analysis

The persons who want to turn their savings into smart and profitable investments must make decisions based on proper acknowledgment of both personal financial goals, and the market and investment instruments. The planning of investments and also the choice of the right instrument require a rigorous analysis of the available options from several angles. The National Bank of Moldova, in partnership with the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, emphasized the main aspects that must be taken into account for a person to make a reasonable investment.

In medium term, annual inflation rate will fluctuate around 5% inflation target

In the medium term, the annual inflation rate will fluctuate in the vicinity of the 5% target and will remain within the range of +/-1.5 percentage points during the forecast period. The annual inflation rate will accelerate until the beginning of next year, then it will gradually decrease until the end of the forecast horizon (third quarter 2026), except for the fourth quarter of 2025 when it will increase significantly. The data were presented on Tuesday by the governor of the National Bank of Moldova Anca Dragu at a news conference.

● WEDNESDAY, August 14

One more delay in starting Union Highway

Representatives of public opinion express dissatisfaction with the postponements related to the Union Highway, which they consider to be “on a conveyor belt”, IPN reports, referring to Economedia.ro.

According to Romanian press reports, the Road Company has again extended for August 19 and August 28, respectively, the submission of bids for the design and execution of the Pipirig – Leghin and Miercurea Nirajului – Sărățeni mountain lots on the A8 Union Highway, although the head of the National Road Infrastructure Administration Company (CNAIR) told Economedia that he expects the bids to be opened in mid-August and earlier.

PM Recean to meet with farmers next week

The Government understands the difficulties faced by multiple farmers due to the severe drought, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry collects and verifies the information based on the received requests, said Prime Minister Dorin Recean, who intends to invite representatives of the agricultural sector for discussions on Tuesday.

● THURSDAY, August 15

Only 39% Chisinau takeoffs were on schedule in July

In the first seven months of this year, approximately 7,900 round-trip flights were operated from the Chisinau International Airport. And while in the first few months punctuality levels were satisfactory, in July only 46% of landings and 39% of take-offs were on schedule, observes Stanislav Ghiletchi, of the IPRE think-tank.

● FRIDAY, August 16

First tender to build 105 MW wind and 60 MW solar farms has been launched

In a first for Moldova, a tender process has been launched to build onshore wind power farms with a capacity of up to 105 MW and photovoltaic stations with a maximum capacity of 60 MW, the Ministry of Energy announced.

The facilities will be built by investors which following the tender will receive “large eligible producer” status along with guarantees that the energy they produce will be bought in the next 15 years.

Diesel prices hit year’s low

Diesel prices have reached the lowest level of this year, as low as last time seen in July of last year, according to the National Energy Regulatory Agency. Meanwhile, gasoline prices have also been ticking lower lately, getting closer and closer to this year’s low.

Call to legalize industrial hemp

Ion Rață, president of the Moldovan Association of Hemp Growers and Processors, urges the government to “urgently” legalize industrial hemp, following the example of Romania, which did it already 11 years ago.

During a press conference on Friday, Ion Rață spoke about the Moldovan-Romanian technology and modernization project “Industrial Hemp Processing on both sides of the Prut River”. “This project is coordinated with our friends, with our Romanian colleagues. For 11 years now, this plant has been cultivated in Romania, which is very lucrative and also very good from a biological point of view”, said Rață.

Farmers ask President Sandu to join special Government meeting

The Farmers’ Force Association will go to the meeting with Prime Minister Dorin Recean scheduled on August 20, on condition that President Maia Sandu and Speaker Igor Grosu also attend. Members of the special parliamentary commission are expected as well.

● SATURDAY, August 17

Informal employment in Moldova is second-highest in Europe

Moldova has the second-highest informal employment rate in Europe after Georgia, with both being outliers on the continent with 52% and 56% respectively, according to 2023 estimates by the International Labor Organization, as quoted by Euronews.

Number of tourists increased in first half of this year

In the first half of this year, the number of tourists and hikers participating in tourism organized by travel agencies and tour operators was 210,100 people, 21.1% more compared to January-June 2023. In this period, sales of travel agencies and tour operators totaled 1.55 billion lei, 15.7% more compared to January-June 2023.