● TUESDAY, December 9

Moldovan farmers can apply for financing from €100m Polish credit

Moldovan farmers can now apply for financing from the 100 million euros credit offered by the Polish government to boost the competitiveness of Moldovan agriculture. Attending the launch of the project, Polish Ambassador Artur Michalski noted that Poland regards Moldova as a close country to be helped on its path towards the EU. The diplomat stressed that recent parliamentary elections gave the country a chance to continue its European course, but also showed how divided society is. Artur Michalski hopes that Polish support will contribute to the unification of society.

Moldovan businesswomen meet in national forum

About 80 Moldovan businesswomen from various fields took part on Tuesday, December 9, in a national forum to discuss the problems they face in developing their businesses. The forum produced a resolution addressed to the Parliament, the Cabinet and party leaders, in which the businesswomen demand measures to increase the representation of women in business and in decision-making processes. Carmina Vicol, head of the Moldovan Association of Women Entrepreneurs, stressed the need for a national program that would stipulate both legislative changes and financial tools to promote businesses run by women.

● WEDNESDAY, December 10

Sugar producers plan to export 100,000 tonnes to the EU

This year's record harvest of sugar beet will lead to a record production of sugar and producers plan to export about 100,000 tonnes of sugar to the EU. Until now, Moldova exported 60,000 tonnes per year. Sugar producers met with Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov and assured him that all the beet harvested this year will be processed. Tudor Chilari, a white beet farmer from Drochia, said that processing will take longer this year because of the record high harvest per hectare. “Whereas in previous years by December 15 all the sugar beet was already delivered to processing plants, this year there is still some stored on the fields and processing will continue throughout January”, said the farmer.

Leu depreciated against dollars by nearly 17%

The leu has been on the decrease against the main reference currencies. Compared with 31 December 2013, the Moldovan currency dropped by 16.85% against the US dollar, to 15.25 lei as of December 10. It also dropped by 4.85% against the euro to 18.84 lei. The National Bank explains that the depreciation of the Moldovan currency against the euro in recent days has reflected the dynamics of the EUR/USD exchange rate on international markets.

● THURSDAY, December 11

Tax Inspectorate extends deadline for monthly reports

The State Tax Inspectorate has announced it's extending the payment date for taxes and state contributions and also the deadline for submitting monthly reports. While usually monthly reports are due by the date of 25, this December the deadline has been extended until the date of 29.

Gas supply agreement with Romania to be signed by Christmas, minister

The gas supply agreement with Romania will be signed by Christmas, the acting economy minister Andrian Candu told reporters today. The official asked for a little patience, reconfirming that Romanian gas would soon reach consumers in the districts of Ungheni and Nisproreni. Later, in the second quarter of next year or the third quarter the latest, the second part of the interconnection project will be launch to extend the gas pipeline from Ungheni to Chisinau, announced the minister.

Warming weather puts autumn crops at risk

The humid weather with temperatures above 5 degrees Celsius forecast for the next seven days may put autumn crops at risk, as it creates conditions for the crops to sprout prematurely and subsequently perish if temperatures plummet. Lows are expected to stand at around -1 in the north and at +3 in the south, and highs will range from +1... +5 in the north to +3...+7 in the south.

● FRIDAY, December 12

 Fuel company announces lower prices 

A fuel company has notified the National Energy Regulatory Agency ANRE it will display lower prices at the pump for gasoline, diesel fuel and liquefied gas starting December 15. The retail price of one liter of diesel fuel will drop by 0.35 leu to 16.52 lei. A-95 gasoline will be by 0.30 leu cheaper and will cost 17.60 lei a liter, and liquefied gas will cost 10.32 lei a liter, a 0.20 leu drop.

Bumacov goes to Japan to Moldovan wine presentation 

Vasile Bumacov, acting Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, is on a two-day visit to Japan to participate in a presentation of Moldovan wines, which will include tasting and will be attended by about 50 regional Japanese retailers. The minister's agenda includes a number of meetings at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Vasile Bumacov will also meet with Toichi Sakata, former Ambassador to Moldova.

Germany offers additional 2 million euros for energy efficiency in Moldova 

Germany will offer an additional 2 million euros to improve energy efficiency in ten districts in the north of Moldova and in the Transnistrian region. Acting Prime Minister Iurie Leanca and KfW project manager for Ukraine and Moldova, Gunnar Wälzholz, signed an extension agreement for a German assistance program, that will provide the extra 2 million euros. “This way, we will continue to invest in our future, in the whole country, in order to offer our citizens modern social infrastructure. I'm grateful for your investments in Moldova, especially in the rural areas”, said the Prime Minister.

Moldova Biomass and Energy Project extended by 3 years 

The Moldova Biomass and Energy Project will be extended by 3 more years as decided by the project's board. Nicola Harrington-Buhay, UNDP Resident Representative in Moldova, said that board appreciated the project's global effects. “It's for the first time in my career that I see a single project touching on so many important issues: creating jobs in rural areas, including jobs for women, educational actions among adults and children, creating successful local public-private partnerships, involving foreign experts and so on”, said the official.