● MONDAY, 3 July
“Summer Berry Fair” mounted in central Chisinau
Berry producers from both sides of the Nistru River came together at the second agro-gastronomic “Summer Berry Fair” that was held in the square of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Chisinau on July 2. The first edition of the fair was dedicated to strawberries, while this year’s edition to blackberries, raspberry and currants. The visitors could taste delicious deserts prepared from seasonal fruits. The berries were sold in plastic containers with the name of the producer on them. In such containers, the locally grown berries are also on sale at national supermarkets. At the same time, the farmers had personalized stands showing where the berries were brought from. The most skilled patisserie cooks of the Festival “Sweeter” came with mousses, tarts, smoothies and other deserts made with berries.
Functionary faces jail term for negligent management of WB funds
A division head of the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA) and a contractor were sued for negligence and swindle when applying for a World Bank grant. According to investigators, in January-February 2014, pursuing the goal of illegally obtaining a grant allocated to Moldova by the World Bank within the Moldova Agricultural Competitiveness Project (MAC-P) “Enhancing market access potential”, the entrepreneur convinced a group of producers to found an entrepreneur’s cooperative, promising them common financial benefits.
Russia maintains liberalized regime for Moldovan carriers until Sept. 1
The Russian authorities decided to postpone the introduction of authorizations for bilateral and transit transport for Moldovan carriers until September 1. The authorizations were to be applied as of June 1. “As a result of negotiations with the competent authorities of the Russian Federation, it was decided to put off the introduction of authorizations for the transport carriers of both of the states,” said the Agency.
● TUESDAY, July 4
Exporters of fruit and vegetables can ask for clearance at any Russian customs post
The exporters of fruit and vegetables grown in Moldova can asks for clearance at any Russian customs post authorized to clear goods. The decision to annul the limitations was transmitted through an informative note sent by the Federal Customs Service of Russia. “We do not know when the limitations were lifted exactly. But we were informed through a note that clearance is now possible at all the Russian customs posts authorized to clear goods. Until now this could be done at a limited number of customs posts” Cristina Rau, head of the Public Relations Division of the Customs Service of Moldova.
● WEDNESDAY, July 5
Government requested to work out viable mechanism for utilizing Polish loan
Two parliamentary commissions – the commission on economy, budget and finance and the commission on agriculture and food industry – reached the conclusion that the mechanism proposed by the Government for distributing the assistance loan providing by the Polish Government is not functional. By a decision taken in hearings staged on July 5, the commissions request the Government to work out a viable mechanism for implementing the agreement within 15 days. Chairman of the commission on economy, budget and finance Stefan Creanga said otherwise a debate on the parliamentary platform will be needed to consider the necessity of this accord. The MPs who attended the hearings said the long-awaited Polish loan caused headaches to Moldovan farmers. Some of them got into a serious trap.
● THURSDAY, July 6
Technological unemployment period to be reduced by two months
The technological unemployment period will be decreased from six months to four, while the size of the unemployment benefit from the salary will be reduced from 75% to 50%. A bill with amendments to 18 articles of the Labor Code was passed by Parliament in the first reading on July 6. Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Viorica Dumbraveanu said in Parliament that one of the amendments provides that the salary earners who enrolled at vocational or higher educational institutions, evening classes or part-time education, out of their own free will and study successfully will enjoy particular guarantees and compensations, in accordance with the provisions of the collective or individual work contract.
Moldova will have Naval Agency
The Republic of Moldova will have a Naval Agency that will supervise the naval transport sector. Deputy Minister of Transport and Road Infrastructure Sergiu Bucataru said in Parliament that the authority will monitor and certify vessels, will keep a record of maritime personnel and will control traffic in ports and on rivers. A bill to this effect was adopted by the MPs by a majority of votes in the first reading on July 6. Sergiu Bucataru said the Naval Agency will be a self-financing authority whose main source of income will be the registration of ships. “The goal is to strengthen the institutional capacities of the Agency with a view to reducing the number of ships that do not meet the international requirements and that pose a threat to the maritime security of the state and to the environment,” stated the deputy minister. He specified that the foundation of the Naval Agency derives from the provisions of the Association Agreement with the EU and from the reforms aimed at removing Moldova from the blacklist of the Paris Memorandum.
● FRIDAY, July 7
Restrictions on advertising of alcoholic products
The advertising of alcoholic products will be partially banned on the radio, TV, print media, the Internet, public transport, etc. This will be permitted only during national events, in specialized stores, on the territory of producing companies, on travel tickets and in planes. Parliament adopted a bill to amend and supplement a number of legal acts on alcohol control in the first reading on July 6. Under the bill, advertisements for alcohol on radio and TV stations will be permitted after 10pm until 7am. Images with alcoholic products could not be published on the first and last pages of newspapers or magazines. As regards the Internet, advertisements for alcohol will be allowed only on the websites of alcohol producers.
Employees with reduced working hours will have same rights as other employees
The employees with reduced working hours will have the same rights as the employees with full hours of work. These will not be limited in rights when their length of service, insurance period and leave are calculated. Parliament voted in the first reading a bill to amend and supplement the Labor Code on July 6. Under the bill, the employer, at the request of pregnant women, employees who takes care of children younger than ten, with disabilities or are under guardianship, or who look after a sick member of the family is obliged to transfer these under part-time regime. The less favorable treatment of salary earners who work part-time compared with those who work full-time is not permitted.
Half of new runaway of Chisinau International Airport ready
Half of the new runaway of the Chisinau International Airport has been built. The works to cement 1,250 meters of the new runway that will be 2,450 meters long and the maneuvering track were inspected on July 7. According to the airport manager Avia Invest, works are carried out at night as well. More than 200 persons and 120 machines and pieces of equipment daily work on the building site. In parallel with cementing works, works are performed to extend the airport’s platform on an area of 45,000 square meters. As a result, 27 parking places will be available for aircraft.
Use of disposable plastic bags banned by law
The retail outlets in Moldova will be unable to sell disposable plastic bags. The Liberals’ relevant initiative was passed by Parliament in the final reading on July 7. For large trading units, the law takes effect immediately, for those with an average and small area – on January 1, 2018, while for mobile or temporary stationary retail outlets – in 2020.
● SATURDAY, July 8
Exports in five months up 15% on a year before
Moldova’s exports of goods in January – May 2017 came to over US$850 million, an increase of about 15% compared with the corresponding period last year. According to the Ministry of Economy, such a development is due to the increase in external demand that led to a rise in exports, but also to a decline in the price per unit. Over 63% of the exports were directed to the European Union. These came to US$540 million. Exports to the CIS states represented about 20% of the exports and added up to US$180 million. In the period, imports totaled US$ 1.8 billion, by over 16% higher than in the same period of 2016. Imports from the EU member states came to US$880 million, which is 49% of all the imports. Imports from the CIS member states amounted to over US$ 450 million, making up over 25% of all imports.
Employment record books to be gradually withdrawn from circulation
The employment record books wil start to be removed from circulation on January 1, 2019. This is provided in a bill that was passed by Parliament in the final reading. The measure could be implemented following the creation of the common online reporting platform that will connect the State Tax Service, the National House of Social Insurance and the National Health Insurance Company. Online reporting enables to exclude the doubling of information presented by business entities to public institutions.
Moldova-Belgium avoidance of double taxation agreement modified
Parliament ratified the Protocol to amend the Convention between the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the Government of Belgium on the avoidance of double taxation. The initiative was proposed by the Belgian side with the aim of adjusting the provisions of the Convention to the international standards on transparency and exchange of information between the fiscal authorities of the contracting sides. The Protocol introduces international principles on the exchange of information which will be ensured for coordinating the actions of the contracting states with a view to avoiding double taxation, preventing tax evasion, distributing the taxation rights between these and eliminating fiscal discrimination in any form.
Experts from Transnistria discuss agricultural recovery issues
Investments of US$1 billion are needed to develop the fruit and vegetable growing sector of the Transnistrian region. The estimates were made in an economic forum held in Tiraspol. The investments are needed to rehabilitate the irrigation system, to build cold storage facilities and to purchase agricultural machinery. According to Transnistrian economic experts, Transnistria possesses 198,000 hectares of farmland. Of this area, 90% is used to grow grain crops, which do not necessitate major investments, but the profit is lower compared with the one that can be made from growing fruit and vegetables.
