InfoMarket Economic News Agency morning review based on the previous business day: key news, important economic indicators and upcoming events. Available by subscription: plus@infomarket.md // +373 79 119 100 // Every day at 7 a.m. - in your inbox.
Energy and Resources
• The price of natural gas on the European market rose by nearly 13% over the week: the TTF price on September 14 reached 82.80 euros/MWh, compared with 73.31 euros/MWh on September 7. European gas storage facilities are about 68% full, versus a five-year average of about 84%; Energocom notes that September quotations will affect the purchase price of gas for October.
• ANRE launched a free tool for comparing electricity and gas supplier offers for residential and non-residential consumers. The service shows estimated annual costs and offer terms amid the liberalization of the energy markets.
Foreign Economy and Trade
• Moldova's trade deficit in January-July increased by 4.9% to 3.87 billion euros; the deficit in trade with the EU amounted to 1.90 billion euros (+5.7%). The largest gaps remained with China - 819.90 million euros, and Romania - 800.80 million euros.
• Rosselkhoznadzor suspended imports of seeds and planting material from Moldova accompanied by documents from the Central Phytosanitary Laboratory after recognition of its competence expired on September 14. Supplies remain possible with documents issued by laboratories in other countries that have passed a Russian audit.
Government Regulation
• During parliamentary consultations, businesses proposed revising the 2027 tax changes: raising the income tax for financial companies from 12% to 18%, the tax for peasant/farmer households from 8% to 12%, VAT on sugar from 8% to 20%, and introducing an excise tax on sugary drinks. Consultations will continue by sector, and amendments will be collected before the bill's next readings.
• Starting January 1, 2027, the updated KEDM-2.1, aligned with NACE Rev. 2.1, will take effect: the classification will include 22 sections, 87 divisions, 287 groups and 651 classes of economic activities.
• The draft Law on Unauthorized Construction provides for a ban on registering in the cadastre buildings and premises that do not comply with design documentation or construction standards; in cases of flagrant violations, the National Inspectorate for Technical Supervision will be able to initiate an investigation directly or refer materials to criminal prosecution authorities.
Investments and Projects
• Germany will provide Moldova with a 14 million euro grant through KfW to lay the groundwork for the Chisinau-Straseni-Calarasi regional water supply system, designed to serve about 820,000 people. The project complements a 45 million euro investment program for the main water pipeline.
• The government plans to establish a single Office for the Implementation of Strategic National Infrastructure Projects by consolidating the functions of three existing agencies. The new institution is planned to have 26 staff and annual expenses of 46.50 million lei; the draft is still pending government approval.
Banks and Finance
• Banks' loan portfolio reached 115.62 billion lei at the end of July, up 1.1% over the month. Real estate loans totaled 29.51 billion lei, trade loans 23.32 billion lei, and consumer loans 21.91 billion lei.
• Deposits in lei amounted to 100.00 billion lei at the end of July (+0.2% over the month), while foreign-currency deposits totaled 53.32 billion lei (+1.3%). Individual deposits rose to 60.20 billion lei in national currency and 34.61 billion lei in foreign currency.
• The MIA instant payment system introduced B2B payments via QR codes. The system has more than 1 million registered users and over 12,000 economic agents with more than 24,000 payment acceptance points.
Industry
• Industrial production in Chisinau Municipality rose by 6.5% in the first half of the year, below the nationwide growth of 7.9%. Manufacturing output in the capital increased by 5.3%, the energy sector by 15.1%, and the extractive industry by 11.1%.
Agriculture
• In June-August, ADMA signed financing agreements with 110 farmers totaling 173.00 million lei, 10.5% more than a year earlier. The funds support agricultural machinery, equipment and modernization projects through the MAME, 2KR-PAC and other programs.
• The government and farmers' organizations are discussing expanded access to long-term financing, debt restructuring, simplified reporting and mechanisms for day laborers, as well as reimbursement of excise tax on diesel fuel used in agriculture.
Social Economy
• Trade unions and employers' associations are discussing raising the minimum wage to about 8,000 lei from January 1, 2027, compared with the current 6,300 lei; the social partners plan to finalize their proposal by October 7.
The Day in Figures
3.87 billion euros — trade deficit for 7 months. | 115.62 billion lei — banks' loan portfolio at the end of July. |
100.00 billion lei — deposits in lei at the end of July. | 14 million euros — German grant for the regional water supply system. |
45 million euros — total investment in the main water pipeline. | 173.00 million lei — ADMA financing in June-August. |
82.80 euros/MWh — TTF gas price on September 14. | 8,000 lei — minimum wage level under discussion for 2027. |
AGENDA
• On September 16 at 10:00, the government will hold a meeting; the agenda includes projects on energy communities, modernization of district heating systems in Chisinau and Balti, railway interoperability, and ratification of the agreement with Romania on strategic transport infrastructure, including the Ungheni-Ungheni bridge.
• On September 16 at 14:00, the National Bureau of Statistics will publish data on the subsistence minimum for the first half of 2026.
• September 16 is the deadline for submitting proposals on the draft approval for signing a loan agreement with the EBRD for the sustainable water supply and rehabilitation of centralized irrigation systems project.