● MONDAY, October 6

Average economic growth of 10% would allow Moldova to narrow gap with EU towards 2040 

Moldova needs an average annual economic growth of 7% for the next generation to reach at least half of the living standards in the EU. Only an annual growth of 10% would allow catching up with the EU member states towards 2040. Such conclusions are contained in the preliminary report “The Republic of Moldova 2014: State of the Nation Report” that was compiled by the Interdependent Analytical Center “Expert-Grup”. Expert Alexandru Fala said that without appropriate structural modernization, the economic growth will not generate decent workplaces and sufficient economic opportunities for substantially improving the living standards of the people. Regardless of the political preferences of the ruling parties, these must join efforts so as to achieve this objective and ensure convergence with the living standards in the European countries.

● TUESDAY, October 7

Property of almost 28m lei privatized 

The commission for holding commercial and investment contests to privatize public property accepted the bids for the poultry breeding company IS “Centrul de Reproducere a Pasarilor - Abaclia” situated in Basarabeasca district and the repairing company IS “Energoreparatii” located in Chisinau. Almost 28 million lei will be paid for the two privatized companies. The two companies were sold at higher prices than the initial selling price. The total price of 27.8 million lei accepted by the commission is to be paid into the state budget within 30 days. Furthermore, under the State Budget Law, on every transaction the buyers pay a private tax of 1%.

ANRE initiates procedure to suspend license of liquefied petroleum gas importer 

The National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) decided to start the procedure for suspending Dominic SRL‘s license for importing and selling wholesale liquefied petroleum gas. The decision was taken as a result of an inspection at this company and at Lukoil-Moldova SRL. In the case of Dominic SRL, the inspectors of ANRE ascertained that the bonuses paid to intermediaries in the process of importing and selling liquefied petroleum gas in Moldova led to the rise in the price of this gas. The information collected during the inspection at this company will be submitted to the National Anticorruption Center and the State Main Tax Inspectorate.

IMF experts present results of assessment carried out in Moldova 

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) team headed by Max Alier, which conducted post‑program monitoring discussions with the Moldovan authorities in Chisinau during September 25–October 7, 2014, presented the results of their analsysis. According to the IMF epxerts, Moldova’s economy didn’t witness essential changes since the last assessment and will remain within the targeted parameters in the immediate period. The economic growth in 2014 will slow down owing to the restrictions imposed by Russia on the import of wine and agricultural products from Moldova and owing to the situation in Ukraine.

● WEDNESDAY, October 8

Businessmen of Moldovan diaspora ready to invest in Moldova 

Moldovans who developed businesses in the UK, France and Azerbaijan are ready to invest in the Republic of Moldova, but want certain guarantees. Adrian Dulgher, businessman from the UK, said that he already started to invest in Moldova by creating an animation office in Chisinau. He stated that he saw the progress made in doing reforms when he returned home this time. The people must understand that benefits cannot be obtained overnight. Hard work is needed. Though there are many risks, there are also conditions for developing businesses in Moldova. I will make effort to convince by business partners to invest in Moldova,” said Dulgher.

Record sugar beet harvest expected in Moldova 

Moldova this year will have the largest sugar beet yield ever both in terms of quantity (1.2 million tonnes) and in terms of output (45 tonnes per ha). According to Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov, the bumper crop and the difficulties encountered in exporting sugar to Russia may lead to a decrease in sugar prices. The minister said the sugar beet harvest this year is projected to total about 160,000 tonnes. The large crop brings yet disadvantages too. The internal necessities can be satisfied with 65,000 – 70,000 tonnes of sugar. The rest of the sugar will have to be exported. Though Russia didn’t impose a direct ban on sugar, it put an exaggerated tax that makes exports to it unprofitable.

Moldova is fourth top recipient of remittances 

Moldova ranks fourth with 25% of remittances as a share of the Gross Domestic Product in 2013, shows the World Bank’s latest issue of the Migration and Remittances Factbook. It is preceded by Tajikistan with 42%, Kyrgyzstan with 32%, and Nepal with 29%. Moldova is followed by Samoa and Lesotho with 24%, Haiti and Armenia with 21%, Gambia with 20%, and Liberia with 18%. In the rankings of the countries receiving the largest volume of remittances, Moldova takes the 58th position with inflows US$1.97 billion in 2013. This year remittances to Moldova are projected to total US$1.95 billion, a slight decrease. India remained in the top spot, with US$71 billion in remittances. Other large recipients were China (US$64 billion), the Philippines (US$28 billion), France (US$24), and Mexico (US$24 billion). Ukraine ranks tenth with US$9 billion.

Innovative boilers for producing heat to be assembled at “Tracom” 

Innovative boilers for producing heat based on water and electricity will be assembled at the industrial park “Tracom”. The technology is developed by the company “Hydro Power” and is being certified and patented in Moldova. According to representatives of the company, this technology is a world innovation that outstrips the closest competitors from the United States and South Korea 3-4 times. Aleksandr Shyveliov, scientific coordinator at “Hydro Power”, said the new technology on which they worked for three years helps to generate 15 times more energy than it is consumed. This is now the most efficient method of producing heat from water.

Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation launches book about intelligent power grids 

The version in Romanian of the book “Intelligent power grids” was launched in Chisinau on October 8 in the presence of the authors and representatives of the Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation. The Foundation will donate a consignment of 1,000 copies of the book to a number of libraries within a technical and teaching support project implemented in Moldova for the first time. International project coordinator of the Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation Manuel Beguer i Mayor said the book written by three Spanish authors, who are researchers in the field of electricity, presents the Spanish electric system and its possibilities, including as regards transition to intelligent grids and the experience of other states in this area.

● THURSDAY, October 9

Serafim Urechean: Most of violations were identified at Ministry of Transport 

The largest number of violations that resulted in enormous damage to the state were identified by the Audit Office at the Ministry of Transport and Road Infrastructure, the Court’s president Serafim Urechean said. According to Urechean, of the total violations of 824 million lei discovered by the Audit Office at budget-funded institutions this year, irregularities to the value of 775 million lei were found at the Ministry of Transport. “Serious violations are committed in the subdivisions of the Ministry. The goods are not included in the accounting records. There is no transparency in the process of holding tender contests. There were identified goods that have been abandoned for 24 years,” he stated.

Over 20,000 tonnes of apples exported during a month 

More than 20,000 tonnes of apples had been exported between August 26 and September 29 following the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU and the identification of new export markets in the EU as well as in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Turkey and other countries, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry says in a communiqué. The Ministry said the condition of presenting a bank guarantee of €7,000 for a truck of apples exported to Romania was annulled. Thus, over 730 tonnes of apples, 190 tonnes of plums, and 987 tonnes of grapes have been exported to Romania so far.

● FRIDAY, October 10

Network of industrial parks extended 

The Government granted the title of industrial park to the company with private capital “Venador-Prim”. The park will be situated in Durlesti town of Chisinau municipality and will be 5 hectares in area. Half of the territory will be used by the administrating company to build on it the administrative block and other facilities designed to ensure the functioning of the industrial park as well as a factory for producing centrifuged pillars. The other half of the area will be occupied by the future resident companies of the park.

● SATURDAY,  October 11

Changes to procedure for issuing trading authorizations 

The trading authorization will be issued by the local authorities within seven days, while in the case of trade in meat products, fish, living animals, dairy products and eggs – within 15 days. The Government approved relevant amendments to a number of legislative acts on internal trade. Now the procedure lasts for up to 70 days. A trading authorization is issued only after presenting appraisals from a number of institutions, including subdivisions responsible for constructions and urbanism, the National Public Health Center, the National Food Safety Agency, and the Ministry of the Interior. Some of these institutions issue appraisals only after carrying out inspections on the spot.