Macroeconomics
• The Ministry of Economic Development cut its 2026 GDP growth forecast from 2.20% to 1.80%, with the economy expected at 388.00 billion lei. Average annual inflation is projected at 7.30% and year-end inflation at 8.20%; growth estimates for 2027-2029 were also lowered to 2.80-3.40% a year.
Energy and Resources
• The European gas price reached EUR 62.14/MWh on August 17, a three-week high. European storage facilities are about 61.00% full versus a seasonal average of 78.00%, keeping pressure on the market ahead of the cold season.
• ANRE proposes raising the mandatory 2026-2027 gas reserve for the company responsible for supplying Transnistria from 53.73 million to 135.97 million cubic meters, or 1,435,603 MWh. The full reserve must be accumulated by November 1.
• As of August 17, diesel was unavailable at 75 filling stations and gasoline at 27; the number of affected stations declined over the week. Operators' commercial reserves are estimated at about 5.90 days of diesel consumption and 14.80 days of gasoline consumption, excluding state emergency reserves.
Foreign Economy and Trade
• Goods exports rose 12.50% in H1 to EUR 1.65 billion. The fastest growth was in vegetable oils (+99.80%), grains (+76.00%) and oilseeds (+41.50%); exports to Germany rose 74.00% and to Hungary 79.90%.
Government Regulation
• The government is preparing deregulation: about 80 permits are to be abolished or converted into notification procedures, while another roughly 180 "hidden" permits must be justified or lose their permitting status from January 1, 2027. The changes cover 71 laws and 29 government resolutions.
• From September 15, the Ministry of Finance plans to make customs clearance available daily from 08:00 to 19:00, including weekends, with no additional fees after 17:00 or on weekends.
Investments and Projects
• Sweden's VIM Energy Systems won a contract to design, supply and commission a BESS for CET-Nord worth SEK 190.00 million, or EUR 17.20 million. Completion of the battery farm is planned for Q1 2027.
• Moldova fell 19 places to 101st in the Henley & Partners/AlphaGeo Global Investment Risk and Resilience Index. The ranking assesses economic and geopolitical risks, institutional resilience and an economy's ability to adapt to shocks.
Banks and Finance
• SEPA became the main channel for cross-border euro payments: in October-December 2025 it handled about 68.00% of such payments from Moldova. More than 217,000 transfers generated savings of over EUR 3.90 million; the average fee fell to about EUR 1.39 from EUR 20.00-200.00 under the traditional system.
Industry
• China's Beijing New Building Material, one of the world's leading drywall manufacturers, is interested in locating drywall and thermal-insulation production in Moldova. Imports of the corresponding products exceed 300.00 million lei a year; company representatives are ready to visit Moldova to assess sites and conditions.
Agriculture
• In H1, AIPA paid 1,078.36 million lei in post-investment subsidies for 2,212 projects, up 84.20% year on year. Advance payments rose 66.80% to 196.60 million lei, of which 186.17 million lei went to livestock-farm modernization.
Business and Companies
• Food Planet Restaurants, McDonald's operator in Moldova, increased 2025 sales by 17.00% to 732.10 million lei and net profit by 15.00% to 211.40 million lei. Assets rose about 30.00% to 760.00 million lei.
Social Economy
• The state social insurance budget closed the first 7 months with a 911.90 million lei surplus: revenue was 31,396.10 million lei and expenditure 30,484.20 million lei. Mandatory contributions rose 9.20% to 17,460.90 million lei; state-budget transfers totaled 13,314.70 million lei.
Day in Figures
1.80% | forecast for Moldova's GDP growth in 2026. |
EUR 62.14/MWh | European gas price on August 17. |
135.97 million cubic meters | proposed mandatory gas reserve for Transnistria. |
EUR 1.65 billion | Moldova's goods exports in H1 2026. |
53.80 billion lei | State Tax Service collections to the national public budget from the start of the year through August 14. |
1,078.36 million lei | AIPA post-investment subsidies in H1 2026. |
EUR 17.20 million | cost of VIM Energy Systems' BESS project for CET-Nord. |
EUR 3.90 million | fee savings during SEPA's first 3 months of operation. |
ANNOUNCEMENTS
• On August 18, the Ministry of Finance will hold a government securities auction: 91-, 182- and 364-day Treasury bills with indicative volumes of 50.00-60.00 million, 1,000.00-1,200.00 million and 1,300.00-1,700.00 million lei, respectively. Settlement is scheduled for August 20.