InfoMarket Economic News Agency morning review covering the previous business day: key news, 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 government approved the start of talks with the IBRD for $52 million ($50 million loan and $2 million grant) to improve public-building energy efficiency; energy consumption after renovation is expected to fall by at least 20%.
• The Competition Council authorized a 128 million lei increase in the IMM GARANT budget to 266.2 million lei, extending it to battery energy storage system (BESS) projects; maximum guarantee coverage is 50%.
• The US committed $130 million to the 400 kV Strășeni–Gutinaș power line and modernization of the Strășeni substation. Moldova and Ukraine are discussing expanding the Vertical Gas Corridor and electricity interconnectors; Ukraine agreed to increase water releases into the Nistru by approximately 20%.
Foreign Economy and Trade
• In January–August, Moldova's exports rose 9.3% to €2.24 billion and imports increased 7.1% to €6.66 billion; the calculated trade deficit was €4.42 billion. Exports of domestically produced goods rose 12.8% to €1.80 billion.
• In August, exports fell 16.2% month on month to €268.5 million, while imports declined 4.7% to €817.5 million; year on year, exports fell 6.1% and imports rose 7%.
Government Regulation
• The Finance Ministry fully or partially supported 27 of about 80 parliamentary amendments to the 2027 tax policy. The draft retains an increase in VAT for HoReCa and most agricultural goods from 8% to 12%, for poultry to 20%, and an income tax rate of 18% for financial and insurance companies. The second reading is still pending.
• The Finance Ministry proposes reducing tax on foreign dividends received by resident individuals from 12% to 8%, and raising the enhanced personal exemption from 34,620 to 46,680 lei; parliament has not yet adopted these changes.
• ANSA proposed allowing small low-risk food producers to begin operating by notification without prior authorization, legalizing certain homemade baked goods and reducing inspection frequency.
International Relations
• Moldova officially opened EU accession negotiations on the "Internal Market" and "Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth" clusters: 17 new chapters, bringing the total opened to 24 of 33. The EU aims to open the remaining clusters by the end of 2026.
Investment and Projects
• According to ODA, FACEM provided businesses with 2.19 billion lei in financing over nine months for projects expected to attract 3.73 billion lei in investment; 443 companies secured 2.06 billion lei in loans under the "373" program.
• The government approved talks on €80 million in funding to modernize 25 vocational education institutions through 2032: a €33 million Council of Europe Development Bank loan, a €7 million grant and a €40 million contribution from Moldova.
• Infrastructure projects worth 3 billion lei were approved for Chișinău in 2023–2026, with about half disbursed. The largest component is 469 projects under the "European Courtyard" program, worth 2.3 billion lei.
Agriculture
• The government approved the start of negotiations with Japan for $55 million to purchase agricultural machinery, irrigation systems and storage and processing equipment; financing is envisaged at 3.2% with a 20-year repayment term and a six-year grace period.
• From October 28 to November 27, AIPA will accept applications for support for climate-adaptation investments in agriculture, including irrigation systems and soil improvement.
• The cabinet approved procedures for testing and registering plant protection products not authorized in the EU; authorizations will be valid for seven years.
Business and Companies
• The Mobilet platform was launched for passenger transport operators, enabling ticket sales on board, at ticket offices and online, with cash or card payment, automatic fiscal receipts and consolidated revenue records.
The Day in Figures
€2.24 billion — exports in eight months. | €6.66 billion — imports in eight months. |
2.19 billion lei — FACEM financing. | 3.73 billion lei — investments under FACEM projects. |
$130 million — US power line financing. | $52 million — IBRD energy-efficiency package. |
€80 million — vocational education modernization. | $55 million — agricultural financing from Japan. |
AGENDA
• On October 16, Chișinău will host a Moldova–Romania B2B tourism meeting involving tour operators and travel agencies from both countries.
• On October 16 at 12:00, Moldexpo will host "Marea Brânză," an event dedicated to domestic food producers.
• On October 16, the two-day Moldova AI Hub program on the use of AI in business and public services will continue.
• On October 17, Moldova Business Forum IV will take place at Chișinău Arena; the second part is scheduled for October 18.
• On October 19, the NBM will close consultations on regulation of electronic money token issuers; the NBS will publish industrial producer price indices for September.
• On October 20, privatization auctions for Izomer, Zarea, Știința and Lumina are scheduled, along with the NBS publication on industrial production for January–August.