● MONDAY, September 30
76% of respondents of Entrepreneurs’ Barometer support European integration
58% of the entrepreneurs believe that Moldova is following a good direction, reflecting the general optimism among the business community, while 76% of respondents say they are in favor of European integration, according to the Entrepreneurs’ Barometer, a survey conducted on a sample of over 1,000 businesspeople from various sectors of the economy.
Theft from bank accounts. Two scammers identified
A 50-year-old woman was robbed of 23,000 lei from her bank account after she gave the card data to persons who presented themselves as employees of a bank. It happened in June, when the victim was called to provide some confidential information, under the pretext of stopping illegal access to the Web Banking application. The group suspected of fraud was traced by the officers of the National Investigation Inspectorate.
Oxana Crețu, first ambassador of Moldovan gastronomy to France
The Ministry of Culture has established an honorary title for Moldovans who promote our country’s image abroad. Oxana Crețu, founder of a restaurant called Inima (Heart) in the French city of Bordeaux, has been named Ambassador of Moldovan Gastronomy.
“We thus recognize her commitment to promote traditional Moldovan cuisine, bringing local products to the fore and aligning national gastronomy with international trends. This is how we contribute together, through people and with exceptional people, to consolidating our intangible heritage and boosting the attractiveness of our country to tourists. It is what we value most”, said Minister Sergiu Prodan, as quoted in a press release.
EGTCs can bring important European funds to Moldova, Euronest director
European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTCs) can bring important European funds to the Republic of Moldova. In the case of an association between Moldova and Romania for the creation of an EGTC, any type of funding attracted should fully comply with European Union legislation, said Alina Popa, executive director of the Euronest Intercommunity Development Association, Romania.
● TUESDAY, October 1
Airport extends tender contest for commercial spaces until October 19
The Chisinau International Airport has extended the deadline for submitting applications to participate in the tender contest for the rental of unused assets for operational purposes, intended for Travel Retail & Food and Beverages activities. The contest commission decided to extend the deadline for applications until October 19.
IMF staff: Latest developments point to right direction for Moldova's economic recovery
The latest macroeconomic developments point to the right direction for Moldova’s economic recovery, said the International Monetary Fund mission led by Alina Iancu, which is visiting Chisinau during October 1-11. At a meeting with Prime Minister Dorin Recean, the Moldovan official stressed that the Government aims to revitalize the economy and ensure peace and security.
“Revolution” on capital market. Finance Ministry reports 60% increase in projections
The Ministry of Finance presented the results of the first round of trading in government bonds on evms.md platform. Secretary of state of the Ministry of Finance Ion Gumene said that over 800 transactions to the total value of almost 79 million lei were registered on the online platform by September 25. The figure is by 60 percent higher than the initial projections of online transactions of up to 50 million lei. evms.md is considered a “revolution platform” on the Moldovan capital market.
Cheaper gas in October
Moldovagaz will buy gas from the state company Energocom at a lower price in October: 37.09 euros/MWh, or 394.64 euros for 1,000 cubic meters, VAT excluded.
According to Moldovagaz, the price is based on a predicted higher calorific power, of 10.64 kWh per cubic meter, and a better exchange rate.
● WEDNESDAY, October 2
Plan of measures for heating season approved by Cabinet
Maintaining the natural gas security supplies, diversifying the supply sources and using alternative fuels are among the measures stipulated in the Heating Season Preparation Plan for 2024-2025, which was approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday.
According to a press release of the Government, the document specifies the measures needed to ensure the energy security of the Republic of Moldova in the context of the risks related to the interruption in gas supplies from Gazprom.
Strategic partnership for modernizing agriculture
A strategic partnership for modernizing agriculture was established today in Chisinau by the agriculture ministers of Moldova and the German state of Baden-Württemberg. The signed document is a Joint Declaration of Intent regarding cooperation in agriculture to create opportunities for modernization and development.
Digital form of green card becomes mandatory from 1 January 2025
From 1 January 2025, Moldovan motorists will only be able to buy the digital version of green card insurance certificate, the National Bank of Moldova announced in a press release.
● THURSDAY, October 3
Country’s gross external debt at US$9.7bn in first half of year
The gross external debt of the Republic of Moldova in the first half of this year decreased by 3.7 percent and totaled US$9,741.01 billion. Relative to the Gross Domestic Product, the external debt accounts for 56.7% (minus 4.5 percentage points compared to December 31, 2023), IPN reports, with reference to the National Bank of Moldova.
Over 12,000 unemployed people got hired in 2024
The number of jobless persons who were employed in the first nine months of 2024 grew rapidly, exceeding the employment rates of the previous years. Over 12,000 unemployed people found a job with the support of the National Employment Agency.
● FRIDAY, October 4
Country’s gross external debt at US$9.7bn in first half of year
The gross external debt of the Republic of Moldova in the first half of this year decreased by 3.7 percent and totaled US$9,741.01 billion. Relative to the Gross Domestic Product, the external debt accounts for 56.7% (minus 4.5 percentage points compared to December 31, 2023), IPN reports, with reference to the National Bank of Moldova.
Over 12,000 unemployed people got hired in 2024
The number of jobless persons who were employed in the first nine months of 2024 grew rapidly, exceeding the employment rates of the previous years. Over 12,000 unemployed people found a job with the support of the National Employment Agency.
Romania will provide expertise in European funding sector
The Ministry of European Investment and Projects (MEIP) of Romania will dispatch five experts to the Republic of Moldova in November to provide the necessary expertise in the field of European funding. According to Răzvan Popescu, undersecretary of state of the MEIP, Romania remains a reliable partner of the Republic of Moldova and provides support both institutionally and within joint projects aimed at bringing concrete benefits to the citizens.
CAA about sale of Cahul airport: There is no necessary infrastructure to operate flights
The property rights over the site of the former Cahul airport are transferred to a private person. There is no airport on that land and there is no infrastructure to operate commercial flights. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) made these clarifications following an advertisement that the Cahul International Airport is put up for sale for €2.5 million.
● SATURDAY, October 5
NBM to expand use of artificial intelligence in key areas
The National Bank of Moldova (NBM) uses a number of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to improve operational efficiency. The central bank plans to expand the use of AI tools in several key areas, NBM head Anca Dragu said during the 15th seminar on financial stability, organized by the National Bank of Romania in Sinaia.
