● MONDAY, July 7
One- and two-room apartments are most popular with Moldovans
The one- and two-room apartments are the most popular with Moldovans who want to purchase a home. Director general of the Chisinau Municipal Mortgage Agency (AMIC) Petru Pripa has told that 14% of the about 3,000 apartments built by the company in 15 years of activity have one room, 45.3% have two rooms, 38% have three rooms and only 2.7% have four rooms. Currently, AMIC builds mainly one- and two-room apartments because the demand for them is greater. “It’s better to have your own room than to rent a two-three room apartment. In time, one can collect money for a larger apartment,” said Petru Pripa.
20,000 Moldovans expected to go to seaside in Romania this year
The number of Moldovan tourists at the Romanian seaside is incommensurable with the data for last year, travel agencies of Romania have said. More than 3,000 Moldovan tourists have purchased tickets to the Romanian seaside by now. Alex Filipski, director general of Voyage Center Philipsky Tour, said that an estimated 20,000 Moldovans will rest at the seaside in Romania this year. If Romania promotes well its offer in Moldova, next year the Romanian seaside could receive 100,000 Moldovan tourists. According to a communiqué of Voyage Center Philipsky Tour, the number of Moldovan tourists is already very high, despite the fact that the weather in June was rather unfavorable. The number of bus and minibus routes to Romania was increased following the increased demand. Furthermore, there are Moldovan tourists who go by their own vehicles or by other carriers providing routes to the Romanian seaside.
“Energocom” gets license to supply gas through Iasi-Ungheni pipeline
The National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) has issued the company “Energocom” with a license for supplying natural gas. The license holder intends to import natural gas from Romania, when the Iasi – Ungheni gas pipeline is put into operation this August. It will supply gas at non-regulated tariffs on Moldova’s territory. The application for license submitted by SA “Energocom” was examined by the ANRE Administration Board. As a result of the discussions held in the meeting and of the fulfillment by the applicant of the conditions for issuing the license, laid down in the Law on Natural Gas, the ANRE Board unanimously approved the division to issue the required license.
Wizz Air launches new low-cost destination, from Chisinau to Milan
The largest low-cost airline from Central and Eastern Europe Wizz Air on July 7 announced the launch of the Chisinau-Milan (Bergamo) flight that will be operated twice a week, on Monday and Friday, starting with November 2. According to a communiqué of Wizz Air, the Milan Bergamo destination is the third from Moldova. The company has provided by two flights a week from Chisinau to Rome (Ciampino) and Venice (Treviso) from last September.
Russia takes precautionary measures following signature of Moldova-EU Association Agreement
Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev instructed the Deputy Premiers to identify measures to protect the market of Russia following Moldova’s association with the European Union, the Russian electronic publication “Vedomosti” said. Dmitri Medvedev stated that under the Association Agreement, Moldova must swiftly implement EU standards and technical regulations that are not compatible with the rules of Russia and of the Eurasian Customs Union. He expressed his concern about the possible re-export of European goods to Russia, which will be placed on the market under Moldovan brands.
Comrat hosted first Forum of Black Sea Region Winemakers
The participants in first Forum of Black Sea Region Winemakers,, held in Comrat on July 3-4, decided to work out a mechanism for voluntary certification of quality of wine products. In the forum, Bashkan Mihail Formuzal said the executive committee of Gagauzia intends to become involved in the setting up of the Center of Voluntary Certification of Black Sea Winemakers.
Air Moldova extends number of flights on Chisinau-Moscow-Chisinau route
Air Moldova intends to increase the number of flights on the Chisinau-Moscow-Chisinau route to three a day. From July 11 until July 26, by three Chisinau-Moscow-Chisinau flights will be operated on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Two flights a day will be provided on the rest of the days. From July 27, by three flights will be operated daily.
● TUESDAY, July 8
AMIC assures newly erected buildings are durable and safe
Director general of the Chisinau Mortgage Agency (AMIC) Petru Pripa said it is not correct that the newly built blocks are less safe than those erected half a century ago. AMIC uses building materials of a high quality and this enables it to offer a 100-year guarantee for the buildings constructed by it. “In the construction sector, as in other areas, there is a normative framework. The observance of this framework ensures the necessary quality of constructions. However, the dwellers sometimes intervene illegally in the portable structure of the block, in the ventilation systems, etc. They consider that they do it better, but in fact affect the building’s equilibrium,” said the director of AMIC.
● WEDNESDAY, July 9
Air Moldova modifies check-in time
Air Moldova has modified the interval of time between the start and end of the check-in. The procedure will begin three hours before takeoff and will end 60 minutes before takeoff. In a communiqué, the airline urges the passengers to present themselves at the airport in the mentioned interval so as to manage to go through all the formalities on time. No takeoff can be postponed because the passengers are late.
Employers demand taking immediate measures to stop devaluation of leu
The National Confederation of Employers of Moldova (CNPM) calls on the competent authorities to take immediate measures to stop the devaluation of the national currency. According to the employers, the devaluation has a negative effect and will lead to economic stagnation and higher prices. In a news conference CNPM chairman Leonid Cerescu said the employers are deeply concerned about the continuous devaluation of the national currency. During only a year and a half, the Moldovan leu was devalued by about 20% against the euro and by 17% against the dollar.
Modern lab for determining pesticide residues inaugurated in Chisinau
A last-generation laboratory for determining the pesticide residues in plants, soil and products of vegetal origin was opened today at the Product Quarantine, Identification, Arbitration Expertise and Disinfection in Chisinau. The Center’s director general Nicanor Cernautean said that the bought equipment to the value of €300,000 will enable to identify up to 250 types of pesticides. In order to use the equipment to full capacity, a chromatographic liquid is needed. Without it, only 39 types of pesticides can be detected. The tests last for two days.
17 tonnes of Moldovan fruit returned from Russia
As many as 17 tonnes of Moldovan apricots were sent back by inspectors of Russia’s veterinary and phytosanitary watchdog “Rosselhoznadzor” after being examined at the international border crossing point “Novyie Yurkovichi”. According to a communiqué posted on the website of “Rosselhoznadzor”, the oriental fruit moth (Grapholitha molesta) was detected in the Moldovan apricots. Therefore, all the apricots were sent back.
● THURSDAY, July 10
Moldovan economy will slow down in 2014, IMF
Moldova largely achieved the main objectives of the economic program supported by a combined Extended Credit Facility/Extended Fund Facility (ECF/EFF that expired on April 30, 2013). The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation and First Post-Program Monitoring (PPM) with the Republic of Moldova. According to the press release, the Moldovan economy recovered strongly from the drought-related contraction of 2012, but activity will significantly slow in 2014 due to a moderation in agriculture production and related industries and weaker economic activity in main trading partners.
Iurie Leanca invites German investors to start businesses in Moldova
Prime Minister Iurie Leanca called on the German investors to start businesses in Moldova. In a meeting of businessmen in Berlin, he welcomed the support provided by Germany to Moldova on the path to European integration and pleaded for strengthening the bilateral economic ties. According to the Government’s press service, the Premier spoke about the unrealized economic potential that can hold interest for the German companies. “Moldova will create all the conditions needed for prosperity and success. Almost 400 companies with German capital already invested in Moldova,” said Iurie Leanca.
● FRIDAY, July 11
Parliament votes in favor of opening FAO Representative Office in Moldova
The MPs voted for the ratification of the Agreement between the Government of Moldova and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on the setting up of a FAO Representative Office in Moldova. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Gheorghe Gaberi said that by its activities in Moldova, the FAO provides assistance in working out, monitoring and assessing strategies in agriculture and implements projects in accordance with the national sustainable agricultural development priorities. The opening of the representative office will help strength and extend the relations of partnership and cooperation with this organization.
Valeriu Lazar named chairman of Chamber of Trade and Industry
Former Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar was appointed as chairman of the Chamber of Trade and Industry. Ministry of Economy’s spokesman Vitalie Condratski said that an exteriority meeting of the Chamber’s congress was held on July 11, where the former minister was voted in as chairman unanimously. Gheorghe Cucu, who held the post of chairman of the Chamber of Trade and Industry before Valeriu Lazar, will serve as the Chamber’s president of honor.
Air services market between Moldova and Russia liberalized
The restrictions on the Chisinau – Moscow flight, which was the only regulated flight in the air transport relations between Moldova and Russia, were lifted. According to the Ministry of Transport and Road Infrastructure, the liberalization of the air market will determine the airlines to increase the number of operated flights and to reduce ticket prices quoting a communiqué of the Ministry. The decision to liberalize this flight earlier than planned was taken in the bilateral consultations held in Moscow on June 24 and took effect after the exchange of diplomatic notes.
● SATURDAY, July 12
Moldova and Malta to avoid double taxation on earned incomes
The Government of Moldova approved the bill to ratify the Convention between Moldova and Malta on the avoidance of double taxation on earned incomes. The document signed in Valletta on April 10 this year aims to develop the bilateral economic relations in the area of elimination of double taxation on private individuals and legal entities and to attract foreign investment. The convention sets the tax rates retained at the source of payment. Thus, 5% of the gross dividends will be retained when the dividends are paid by a company residing in Moldova to a resident of Malta. If the dividends are paid by a company residing in Moldova to a resident of Moldova, the tax on the gross dividends will not exceed the taxes imposed on the incomes from which the dividends are paid. The tax retained from interest will represent 5% of the gross interest, while from royalty - 5% of the gross royalty payments.
Moldova and Armenia renounce bilateral authorizations for freight transport
The bilateral and transit authorizations for transporting goods between Moldova and Armenia were eliminated by a protocol to amend the relevant intergovernmental agreement between the two states.In the July 11 meeting of the Government, Minister of Transport and Road Infrastructure Vasile Botnari said the liberalization of this mechanism will represent a powerful stimulus for developing international freight transport and the relations between Moldova and Armenia. The executive also approved a bill to ratify the agreement between Moldova and Portugal on international road passenger and freight transport, signed in Lisbon on May 28 this year. Under the bill, the bilateral and transit passenger and freight transport will be based on transport authorizations that will be changed annually on reciprocity conditions.
Drip irrigation will be possible from groundwater as well
Parliament passed in the first reading a bill providing that drip irrigation will be allowed in areas where there is no surface water, but there are sufficient underground water reserves, including suitable for drinking. The bill author, Liberal-Democratic MP Ion Balan said the groundwater reserves will be used rationally for developing agriculture, especially for intensive and super-intensive multiannual plantations (orchards, vineyards, fruit bushes, vegetables). “Without irrigation, it’s impossible to obtain agricultural production of a high quality, which would be competitive on the export markets, both from the west and from the east,” stated the lawmaker. The opposition didn’t support the bill, saying that the groundwater reserves in Moldova are inadequate.