Morning review by the InfoMarket Economic News Agency 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.
Macroeconomics
• According to Expert-Grup, Moldova's economy returned to growth in Q2 after two quarters of stagnation; official quarterly GDP growth is expected to exceed the 0.40% recorded in Q1, while growth for 2026 could reach about 3.00%. In June, industrial production rose 10.60%, retail sales 10.20%, and exports 18.70%.
• Construction work fell 8.20% y/y in H1: new construction declined 4.90%, routine maintenance and repairs 20.70%, and capital repairs 2.90%. Work on non-residential buildings dropped 19.20%, while residential construction decreased 2.80%.
Energy and Resources
• ANRE intends to revise the gas tariff for household consumers: the draft provides for an increase from 13.35 to 18.79 lei per cubic meter excluding VAT, or to 20.29 lei including VAT. The Energy Ministry estimates that extending the metrological verification interval for gas meters could reduce the distribution component by about 1.00 leu per cubic meter.
• Energocom purchased 10,295.00 MWh of electricity for August 20 and fully covered demand: 72.14% came from bilateral imports, 25.86% from local renewables, 1.25% from thermal power plants and 0.75% from Romanian day-ahead markets. The company notes that electricity on external markets remains expensive, especially during peak hours.
• Photovoltaic panels, heat pumps and certain energy storage systems no longer require an urban planning certificate or building permit. For projects where a detailed urban development plan is still required, the local council has up to 45 days to initiate the procedure and the mayor up to 30 days to approve it after the required clearances.
External Economy and Trade
• Moldova and Ukraine agreed to strengthen controls against the circumvention of international sanctions and the use of the Moldovan ship registry by vessels linked to Russia's "shadow fleet." The sides are also discussing acceleration of the Yampil–Cosăuți bridge project, modernization of border crossings and preferential transit of Ukrainian grain through Moldova to Romanian ports.
Government Regulation
• Chișinău is preparing the phased extension of national customs, tax, environmental and food-safety rules to the Transnistrian region, including VAT and excise duties on imports. Additional revenues are to be directed through the Convergence Fund toward infrastructure and support for businesses in the region.
• The NCFM proposed new rules for public takeover bids and acquisitions of joint-stock companies to strengthen minority shareholder protection. For companies listed on a regulated market, the mechanism is to be aligned with EU Directive 2004/25/EC.
Investment and Projects
• An additional 0.6003-hectare land plot is proposed for expropriation to expand the Giurgiulești International Free Port. It will supplement Sector No. 2, which covers 35.07 hectares; compensation and related costs will be paid from the state budget after the property is appraised.
• Moldovagaz has planned work at 388 sites in 32 settlements across 15 districts in 2026, with investments exceeding 171.10 million lei. The program includes expansion, reconstruction and modernization of gas networks.
Banks and Finance
• The net profit of Moldova's 10 banks totaled 2.83 billion lei in January–July, up 11.00% y/y. Maib, Moldindconbank, Victoriabank and OTP Bank accounted for 93.50% of total profit; maib earned 1.23 billion lei and Moldindconbank 850.20 million lei.
• The NCFM ordered Easy Credit to refund overpayments under 973 loan agreements within 180 days after the total cost of credit exceeded the statutory limit. Green Credit received another 45 days to comply with previous directives; repeated non-compliance may result in a fine of 50.00 thousand lei.
Industry
• Industrial production rose 7.90% y/y in H1 and 10.60% in June. Manufacturing increased 7.00% and the energy sector 14.20%; output of metal structures rose 43.70%, textiles 17.10%, food products 14.60% and furniture 11.40%.
Agriculture
• The Sectoral Advisory Council on Grains and Oilseeds proposed licensing imports and strengthening monitoring of the transit of these products through Moldova. The initiative is being discussed against the backdrop of harvest estimates and grain sales prospects on domestic and regional markets.
Business and Companies
• Vitafor increased sales revenue by 18.10% in 2025 to 1.12 billion lei, while net profit rose 2.10% to 157.00 million lei. Cost of sales grew faster than revenue, increasing 20.40% to 854.60 million lei.
Day in Figures
2.83 billion lei | net profit of banks in January–July 2026. |
20.29 lei/m³ | proposed household gas tariff including VAT. |
10,295.00 MWh | electricity purchased by Energocom for August 20. |
171.10 million lei | Moldovagaz Group investment program for 2026. |
7.90% | growth in industrial production in H1. |
8.20% | decline in construction work in H1. |
1.12 billion lei | Vitafor sales revenue in 2025. |
973 agreements | under which Easy Credit must refund borrower overpayments. |
AGENDA
• On August 21 at 10:00, ANRE will consider and submit for approval regulated prices for natural gas supplied by Energocom to certain categories of final consumers under the public service obligation.
• On August 21 at 14:00, the National Bureau of Statistics will publish "Labour Force in the Republic of Moldova. Employment and Unemployment" for 2025.
• August 21 is the deadline for comments on the draft concerning the administration of mandatory health insurance funds and simplification of the mechanism for contracting pharmaceutical service providers.