● MONDAY, July 22
Moldovagaz will buy gas from Energocom in August
JSC Moldovagaz will purchase natural gas from JSC Energocom in August as well. The latter was designated the winner of the tender contest held on the BRM EST platform.
Capital market survey confirms potential for development and interest in investment alternatives
The capital market in Moldova has potential for development in the conditions where the country will continue to improve macroeconomic perspectives, continue to strengthen the legal framework and support the diversification of the investor base. The finding comes as a result of the Capital Market Diagnostic, developed by the USAID Moldova Institutional and Structural Reform Activities Program and presented at a round table organized by the National Financial Market Commission (CNPF).
● TUESDAY, July 23
Leu depreciated against US dollar in June
The Moldovan leu in June depreciated in average values by 0.3% against the US dollar to 17.7916 USD/MDL, compared to 17.7340 USD/MDL in May.
Heat and electricity produced by Termoelectrica to cost less from August 1
The heat supplied by JSC Termoelectrica and the electricity produced by the company’s heating power plants will become cheaper. The National Agency for Energy Regulation approved the reduction in charges as a result of the steps taken by the supplier.
How to make safe and risk-free online payments
With the rise of digitalization, consumers are increasingly turning to online commerce. Among the main reasons why people prefer online shopping is the ease and speed of the process. With all the advantages that online payments offer, they can also imply particular risks. The National Bank of Moldova, in partnership with the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, say how to make online payments safely and without risks. This information is provided as part of a set of informative materials on various topics in the financial field, intended for consumers of all ages.
Competition Council will benefit from assistance project coordinated by counterparts from Romania
The Romanian Competition Council will coordinate a new project funded and supported by the European Union, through which it will provide assistance to the competition authority of the Republic of Moldova, according to a press release of the institution. The project partners will support the efficient enforcement of competition and state aid laws and improve the institutional and administrative capacity of the Competition Council of Moldova to act as a competition authority similar to those in the EU.
Platform for direct investments in State Securities will be launched at end-July
The eVMS.md platform for trading in State Securities (SSs) will be launched at the end of this month. According to the Ministry of Finance, it is a premiere for the Republic of Moldova, which will allow direct transactions, without intermediaries and commissions.
Hemp cultivation will boost national economy, say advocates
The cultivation of industrial hemp in Moldova could become a solution for climate challenges, as its introduction into the agricultural circuit will stimulate the national economy, said agricultural producers and activists during a press conference on Tuesday.
● WEDNESDAY, July 24
After Eiffel, NESS PROIECT EUROPE will build bridges over the Prut River
The Eiffel railway bridge in Ungheni, built by the great Frenchman who erected and gave his name to the Tower that became the symbol of Paris, but also of Europe, will be joined by the Ungheni – Ungheni ensemble of bridges over the Prut, which will be constructed by the company NESS PROIECT EUROPE SRL, IPN reports, with reference to profit.ro.
CMC approves local taxes
The Chisinau Municipal Council approved local taxes for 2024 on Tuesday. Based on the collection of local taxes, it is planned to gather in the municipal budget the amount of 387.8 million lei, which represents 5% of the total budget revenues or 10.6% of own revenues. The representatives of the municipality said that the taxes will be applied once the draft decision is approved and will not have retroactive effect.
Repromed Clinic is intentionally bankrupted through parasite companies, statements
LLC Repromed, one of the most important private medical institutions in the Republic of Moldova, is on the verge of bankruptcy due to illegalities and acts of corruption committed by the current administration, said Cristina Moșin, an associate of LLC Repromed. According to her, the intentional bankruptcy is committed through parasite companies that purportedly belong to the current administration, controlled by the “Hotineanu clan”.
Permissive documents based on which LCC Aidmed operates were obtained illegally, lawyer
Lawyer Radu Dumneanu says that any medical service provider must have permissive documents. These are the operating permit, the organization and operation regulations, which must contain the same activities allowed and indicated in the sanitary authorization, and also the accreditation certificate from the National Public Health Agency. The lawyer, who represents the interests of Professor Viacheslav Mosin, a former associate of LCC Repromed, noted that all these permissive documents of LCC Aidmed, which are necessary to create the appearance of providing services on the same segment of activity as Repromed, were obtained illegally.
Repromed insolvency case is delayed and funds can be thus misappropriated, lawyer
Lawyer Tudor Leșanu said that the examination of the insolvency case of LLC Repromed is delayed, in breach of the law. According to him, as long as the case is delayed, nothing and no one prevents the misappropriation of funds from LLC Repromed and their transfer to LLC Aidmed or other companies.
Small producers can access grants of up to 500,000 lei within state program
Small producers can get grants of up to 500,000 lei in the framework of a program that was approved on Wednesday by the Cabinet. These are enterprises with an annual turnover of up to 5 million lei and with up to 9 employees, which will be able to access non-reimbursable financing of no more than 70% of the value of the investment project, but not more than 500,000 lei. The beneficiary’s contribution will constitute at least 30% of the amount of the project.
Oleg Alexa: Public Property Agency is part of Vîlcu-Andronachi group
The Public Property Agency is part of the Vîlcu-Andronachi group, which manages the bus stations in the Republic of Moldova, the head of the Employers’ Association of Motor Transport Operators (APOTA), Oleg Alexa, said at a press conference hosted by IPN. According to Alexa, the Agency does nothing to return the stations back under state management, and this makes him believe that it is on the side of the group that owns the stations.
Oleg Alexa: Bus stations must return under state management
The head of the Employers’ Association of Motor Transport Operators (APOTA) Oleg Alexa believes that the bus stations must return under state management. The first steps in this regard were taken by the Public Property Agency in 2022, but, after the institution’s leadership changed, things have been stagnant.
Chisinau Council fails to approve 2024 budget
The Chisinau City Council today failed to approve an already well-overdue 2024 municipal budget, as the 24 votes in favor were not enough for approval in the first reading.
● THURSDAY, July 25
Moldova to benefit from EU investments in road infrastructure at mouths of the Danube
The European Union allocated a €13.9 million grant to improve road transport infrastructure at the state border crossing points between Ukraine, Moldova and Romania, Gordonua.com reported, with reference to the Ukrainian authorities.
Petru Rotaru leaves position of finance minister
Minister of Finance Petru Rotaru was proposed for the post of deputy governor of the National Bank of Moldova and is to be confirmed by Parliament.
Written life insurance premiums at lowest value in last five years
The insurance sector at the end of the first quarter of this year was characterized by an increase in assets, capital, solvency ratio and liquidity ratio (for non-life insurance) compared to the end of the previous quarter. At the same time, the gross technical reserves formed by insurance companies decreased insignificantly compared to December 31, 2023. The net profit of insurance companies for the year increased compared to the same period of the previous year, mainly due to the increase in the result from the insurance activity.
Last tractors delivered within MAME project supported by Japan
33 Kubota M6-131 tractors, purchased within the “Modernization of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment” (MAME) project, supported by the Government of Japan, were received by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry. They will be offered to the beneficiaries at a competitive price, through installment sale agreements.
Special parliamentary committee will formulate solutions to overcome agricultural crisis
A special parliamentary committee will identify solutions and propose measures to overcome the crisis in the agricultural sector. The draft decision on the establishment of the commission was approved on Thursday by Parliament, at the proposal of the MPs of the Bloc of Communists and Socialists Radu Mudreac and Corneliu Furculiță. According to the authors, the situation in the agricultural sector is critical.
Budgetary-fiscal policy for 2025 given second reading
The Parliament gave a second reading to the budgetary-fiscal and customs policy for 2025. According to the Government, which is the author of the draft law, the budgetary-fiscal and customs policy for next year, as a priority, provides for a set of measures aimed at ensuring economic, social and investment sustainability.
● FRIDAY, July 26
Ala Nemerenco: We come with new amendments to the law on tobacco control
New restrictions will be imposed on smokers. Smoking will be banned in open public spaces, such as terraces, waiting stations, amusement parks. Moreover, the restrictions apply not only to regular cigarettes, but also to electronic cigarettes. The Minister of Health said that the draft law is on the Cabinet’s agenda, went through public consultations and is to be approved soon. Ala Nemerenco refuted the information that electronic cigarettes are less harmful than ordinary tobacco products and noted that all types of cigarettes will be banned in open public spaces by law.
Final vote on bill regarding public goods that cannot be privatized
The Parliament gave a second, final reading to the draft law to amend the annex to the Law on administration and privatization of public property. The document contains the list of public property that is not subject to privatization, which was compiled on the basis of proposals formulated by the central and local public authorities.
USAID supports development of new instant payment solutions for businesses
Representatives of the business community have tested the performance of instant payments through the MIA payment system, a new module that facilitates payments from the consumer to the business, which will be launched soon. The solutions for accepting payments for products and services are created with the support of the USAID Moldova Institutional and Structural Reforms Activity (MISRA) by the companies Paynet, QSystems and RunPay, which were selected on the basis of a grant competition.
● SATURDAY, July 27
Insurance does not exclude risks, but it cushions financial blows in crisis situations
Insurance serves as a protective shield and safety net in unpredictable situations in life. They do not exclude the risks that surround the people every day, but they cushion financial blows when they go through unwanted events. The National Bank of Moldova, in partnership with the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, presents the types of available insurance and the benefits they offer so that the persons can make informed decisions regarding their protection and the protection of their assets.
New forms related to third-party liability insurance
Beginning on July 28, new forms are being implemented for third-party liability insurance (TPLI). The new mandatory motor insurance will contain a QR code by which the policy holder can check its validity and the bonus-malus class, calculate the insurance premium, find out the damage history and obtain the damage certificate.
