● TUESDAY, May 21
Moldovans prefer to borrow money from banks for terms of two to five years
In April this year, the new loans amounted to 5.510 billion lei, up 7.1% compared to March. The loans in national currency represented the major part (75.5%), totaling 4.159,7 billion lei, up 8% against the previous month. In terms of the repayable periods, the loans with terms ranging from two to five years were the most popular ones, constituting 57% of all the released loans.
Anca Dragu in Bucharest: We are seeing more interest in investments in Moldova
A higher country rating is essential for investors to consider the opportunities offered by the Moldovan economy. There is already more interest in investments in the Republic of Moldova, especially for Romanian companies that want to expand their activity across the Prut, stated Anca Dragu, governor of the National Bank of Moldova, during the third edition of the “Financial-Banking Market” conference in Bucharest.
● WEDNESDAY, May 22
Energy efficiency first principle will be applied throughout the economy, minister
Moldova is committed to promote a competitive and sustainable energy sector, integrated into the European energy markets, thus ensuring energy security and affordability for consumers. The energy efficiency first principle will be applied throughout the economy, and harnessing the renewable energy will fuel economic growth and increase the impact of efforts to reduce climate change, Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov stated at the eighth meeting of the EU-Republic of Moldova Association Council held in Brussels.
NBM intervenes on interbank market by selling US$5m
In April, the coverage of the net demand for foreign currency from economic agents through the net supply of foreign currency from individuals was 88.2%, compared to 86.6% in March.
More products from Ukraine transported via Moldova to be exempted from ANSA control
The grain, rapeseed and sunflower seeds from Ukraine, transiting Moldova, will be exempted from the controls of the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) until the end of this year. A draft law that provides for the exemption from the ANSA control of these goods transported in transit regime was registered in Parliament.
Public debate held to discuss reform encouraging part-time employment
Most students and pensioners who work are in unreported employment. At the same time, employers face staff shortages, while the labor market does not support the acceleration of economic growth and the development of the business environment. The authorities aim to change things by promoting a “mini-job” reform. The concept was debated today during public discussions at Parliament.
National Financial Education Campaign gets extended
A number of institutions and organizations have joined the National Financial Education Campaign of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM), carried out with the support of the USAID Moldova Institutional and Structural Reforms Activity (MISRA) Program. The need to improve financial education among the general public was discussed at a workshop attended by representatives from the banking, non-banking and insurance fields, the NBM said in a press release.
● THURSDAY, May 23
Five more years of tariff-free export for Moldovan agricultural goods on UK market
More Moldovan agricultural goods will reach the British market without tariff quotas for another five years, under an amendment protocol signed today that extends the Strategic Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement between Moldova and the United Kingdom.
The protocol provides for the extension of the liberalization of trade with Moldova through the complete elimination of customs duties on the import of agricultural products originating in the Republic of Moldova into the United Kingdom for a period of five years.
● FRIDAY, May 24
Fewer apple orchards, but with much higher productivity
In 2023, Moldova had 43,100 hectares of apple orchards, of which 12,800 belonged to agricultural enterprises. Another 26,700 hectares were owned by peasant farmsteads, while 3,600 hectares – by the population. It is the smallest area that the Republic of Moldova has ever had. But the advantage is that there are many technologized orchards, which have much higher productivity. The findings belong to Veaceslav Ioniță, expert in economic policies of the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives “Viitorul”.
Development of Gagauzia can be ensured only through efficient cooperation, statement
Only through efficient cooperation of the public authorities with civil society and also with representatives of the mass media can solid development of the Territorial-Administrative Unit of Gagauzia be ensured, said representatives of the public association “Choice and Alternative for Gagauzia:, which was presented on Friday.
In a press conference staged by IPN, the head of “Choice and Alternative for Gagauzia” Igor Ianac said that the situation of the citizens in Gagauzia has suddenly worsened and a number of measures are therefore required. The association’s team has already carried out an analysis of the situation and is ready to become involved in the process of developing programs aimed at improving the quality of life in the region.
Opportunities of Moldova’s capital market discussed with Romanian Investors Association
Anca Dragu, governor of the National Bank of Moldova, met with representatives of the Romanian Investors Association, visiting Chisinau. The meeting focused, in particular, on improving access to capital markets, as well as on adjusting the legal framework and improving consumer protection of financial products. A focus of the discussions was the opportunities for the investment environment driven by the monetary policy of the NBM.
The NBM said in a press release that an important aspect of the meeting was the evolution of international payment and transfer solutions, in the context where Romania is Moldova’s main trade partner. The discussions also focused on credit conditions, the revision of the financial product consumer protection framework, the liberalization of the capital account, etc.
● SATURDAY, May 25
IMF reaches staff-level agreement with Moldova on fifth review
The Moldovan authorities and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team have reached staff-level agreements on policies for completion of the fifth reviews of Moldova’s programs under the Extended Credit Facility and Extended Fund Facility (ECF/EFF) arrangements, and the first review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
