AGP Executive Report

E-commerce: From November 1, foreign online sellers can use a special VAT regime for parcels worth up to €150, appointing a Moldovan intermediary to handle tax obligations. The change does not automatically mean higher prices or extra charges for every order. Trade and transport: The government says Ukrainian grain crossing Moldova is bound for Romanian ports, not the domestic market. Transit shipments brought Moldova’s railway about 23 million lei in profit, with 80,000 tonnes carried in September and 65,000 in October. Investment: Moldova’s Investment Agency ranked second among 31 regional agencies, scoring 88.24% in an assessment of investment-promotion capabilities. Digital services: Authorities say 61 public services are back online after a cyberattack, while 21 remain unavailable as security checks continue. The breach exposed data linked to about 750,000 personal ID numbers.

Digital Services: Moldova says 61 public services are back online after a cyberattack exposed data linked to about 750,000 ID numbers; 21 remain unavailable. Separately, preliminary checks found an electronic signature at the center of online claims was valid, with the investigation continuing. Investment: Moldova’s Investment Agency ranked second among 31 regional peers. A separate €250 million shopping-centre project is planned in Stăuceni. Energy: Energocom bought two million cubic metres of gas from Ukraine below spot-market prices, while officials discussed new regional energy links with Romania, Bulgaria and Sweden. Trade: Customs urged carriers to plan routes and use digital booking tools as grain exports and Ukrainian transit cargo add to border traffic. Tax Relief: Eligible education and training costs can qualify for deductions of up to 20,000 lei from taxable income in 2026 and 2027.

Digital Security: After a breach exposed data linked to about 750,000 ID numbers, the government says preliminary checks confirm the electronic signature remains valid; 61 public services are back online, with 21 still unavailable. Energocom also warned of scammers posing as staff to obtain consumers’ banking details. Investment: A €250 million shopping-centre project is planned for Stăuceni, while Moldova’s Investment Agency ranked second among 31 regional agencies for its investment-promotion work. Energy & Trade: Energocom bought two million cubic metres of gas from Ukraine below the spot-market price. Customs officials say grain exports and increased transit of Ukrainian goods are driving heavier truck traffic, and urge carriers to use alternative routes and digital scheduling.

Digital Recovery: Moldova restored 61 public services after a cyberattack exposed data linked to about 750,000 ID numbers; 21 services remain offline as authorities tighten security. Investment: The country’s Investment Agency ranked second among 31 regional peers for attracting investment, while a €250 million retail and mixed-use project launched in Stăuceni. Energy: Moldova is advancing electricity links with Romania and discussing renewable-energy and storage investment with regional partners. Energocom also bought two million cubic metres of gas from Ukraine at below spot-market prices. Trade and Agriculture: Customs urged carriers to plan routes as grain exports and Ukrainian cargo drive heavier truck traffic. Parliament extended licensing for cereal and oilseed imports through the end of 2026, drawing concern from farmers. Digital Economy: Moldovans spent more than 1 billion lei on advertising through Meta, Google and other international platforms this year; the platforms paid over 311 million lei in VAT.

Digital Services: Moldova has restored 61 services on the EVO portal after a cyberattack exposed data linked to about 750,000 ID numbers; 21 services remain offline, and users must install the app’s mandatory update. Energy: Energocom’s test purchase of 2 million cubic metres of Ukrainian gas came in below spot-market prices, as Moldova discusses power links and energy supply with Romania, Bulgaria and Sweden. Trade and Investment: Seasonal grain exports and increased Ukrainian transit pushed border traffic higher, with customs advising carriers to plan routes and use digital booking tools. Moldova’s Investment Agency ranked second among 31 regional agencies, while a €250 million shopping-centre project in Stăuceni signals a major new private investment. Digital Economy: Moldovans spent more than 1 billion lei on services from major online platforms this year; the platforms paid over 311 million lei in VAT.

Energy Costs: Energocom’s first purchase of 2 million cubic metres of Ukrainian gas came in below the spot-market price. The government is negotiating larger volumes, which could help lower consumer tariffs. Digital Economy: Moldovans spent more than 1 billion lei on advertising and other services from major online platforms this year; the platforms paid over 311 million lei in VAT, Finance Minister Victoria Belous said. Banking and Housing: The National Bank says new covered-bond rules could give banks stable, long-term funding and support more affordable mortgages. Investment: A €250 million shopping and leisure complex planned for Stăuceni signals a major private-sector bet on Moldova. Growth Sectors: The government is looking to expand medical tourism by easing procedures and attracting foreign patients.

Energy: Energocom bought its first 2 million cubic meters of Ukrainian gas below spot-market prices and is seeking larger volumes before private export access closes on November 30, a test that could help reduce costs. Investment: The government unveiled 19 EU-backed Growth Plan projects across energy, infrastructure, agriculture, education and healthcare. A separate €250 million shopping-centre development near Chișinău adds to the investment pipeline. Agriculture: Parliament extended licensing for cereal and oilseed imports through 2026, while the sector is set to receive €150 million in European Investment Bank financing to modernize agri-food value chains. Infrastructure: Authorities are preparing a tender for an €100 million section of the Chișinău bypass; the planned Ungheni–Chișinău highway is expected to strengthen trade links with the EU. Business Reform: The economy minister is planning a broad overhaul of state-owned companies, including better use of underused assets. EU Accession: Brussels is due to publish Moldova’s 2026 progress assessment and accession roadmaps on November 4, with economic readiness among the priorities.

Private Investment: SUMMA and FIBA have launched a €250 million shopping and leisure centre in Stăuceni, expected to create about 3,000 jobs and rank among Moldova’s largest single-site private investments. Economic Outlook: The IMF revised its 2026 growth forecast up to 1.7%, from 1.5%, citing stronger agricultural results; it projects 2% growth in 2027. Agriculture: Parliament extended licensing of cereal and oilseed imports through late 2026. Separately, new rules will let small rural farms operate under set health and environmental conditions. Energy: Inspections have begun at the Chișinău electrical substation ahead of staged energization. The Vulcănești–Chișinău line is expected to carry more than half of Moldova’s electricity consumption and enable direct imports from Romania and Europe. State Enterprises: The economy minister is preparing broad reforms to reorganize state-owned firms, improve productivity and put underused public assets to work. EU Investment: The government presented 19 strategic projects under Moldova’s EU-backed Growth Plan, spanning energy, infrastructure, agriculture, education and healthcare.

Major Investment: A €250 million shopping and tourism complex has launched in Stăuceni, equal to about 1.3% of Moldova’s GDP. The developers have invested in the country before and are also expanding into wind power. Economic Outlook: The IMF raised its 2026 growth forecast to 1.7%, citing stronger agriculture, and projects 2% growth in 2027. Business and State Assets: The government plans to let small firms start low-risk activities after registration, without prior permits, and is updating privatization rules to attract more bidders. Energy and Agriculture: Russia says it will try to maintain gas supplies to Transnistria through winter. Moldova is preparing the 400 kV Bălți–Suceava line and may borrow €75 million from France for energy reforms. Agriculture officials also propose extending licensing for grain and oilseed imports through year-end to support local producers.

Romanian Investment: Bucharest says it will back Romanian companies in Moldova, where bilateral trade is nearing €4.5 billion and Romanian firms have created about 12,000 jobs. The two governments also pledged to speed up bridge and energy projects, including commissioning the Vulcănești–Chișinău power line. Trade Rules: From November 1, postal e-commerce shipments from Moldova to EU customers face a €2 handling fee and €3 customs duty per item, plus applicable taxes; senders must also include a product identifier on customs forms. Energy Supply: Moldova could begin importing gas from Romania’s Neptun Deep field next autumn, potentially benefiting from lower transport costs. Investment and Agriculture: Moldova ranked second in a regional investment-promotion assessment, while the European Investment Bank is providing €150 million to modernize the agri-food sector. Tourism: International arrivals rose 25% in the first half of 2026, the largest increase in Europe, offering a boost to tourism businesses.

Romanian Investment: Bucharest says it will support Romanian companies in Moldova, where their investments have created about 12,000 jobs and bilateral trade is nearing €4.5 billion. The two governments also pledged to advance bridge, border and energy links. Ukraine Trade: Moldova is pitching itself as a production and logistics gateway to Romania and the EU for Ukrainian businesses, aiming to attract factories, warehouses and transport investment. Energy Costs: Household gas tariffs have risen more than 80% since August, adding pressure on budgets and business profitability as Moldova buys from European traders. Agriculture: Farmers are threatening protests unless licensing rules for grain and oilseed imports are extended, warning cheaper Ukrainian supplies could push local prices lower. Agri-Food Investment: The European Investment Bank is providing €150 million to modernize Moldova’s agricultural and food value chains.

Romanian Investment: On his first foreign visit as prime minister, Luca Niculescu met Romanian investors in Moldova, saying their companies have created about 12,000 jobs and bilateral trade is nearing €4.5 billion. He also visited the Chișinău substation project, part of the Vulcănești–Chișinău power line. Ukraine Trade Links: Moldova is offering Ukrainian firms a 50% rail-transit discount and pitching the country as a production and logistics gateway to Romania and EU markets. Prime Minister Vasile Tofan also urged more Ukrainian investment in factories, warehouses and transport infrastructure. Farmers’ Concerns: Farmers are threatening protests if Parliament does not extend grain and oilseed import licensing before it expires on October 31, warning cheaper Ukrainian crops could further depress local prices. Agriculture Funding: The European Investment Bank is providing €150 million to modernize Moldova’s agri-food value chains. Cybersecurity: Authorities say a cyberattack may have targeted about 750,000 personal ID numbers, with potential exposure of financial and other sensitive data raising risks of fraud.

Regional Trade: In Kyiv, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan pitched Moldova as a logistics and production base for Ukrainian firms targeting Romania and EU markets. Ukraine wants Moldova to extend its 50% rail-transit discount into 2027; transit volumes have tripled in eight months. Energy Links: Moldova and Ukraine plan to advance a second Bălți–Dnestrovsk power-line circuit that could add 500 MW of exchange capacity, alongside deeper gas cooperation. Investment: Romania’s prime minister visits Chișinău today for talks on joint projects and meetings with Romanian investors, including a visit to the Vulcănești–Chișinău power-line project. Agriculture: The EIB has committed €150 million to modernize Moldova’s agri-food value chains and improve access to EU markets. Business Services: Online permit services are back after cyberattacks, restoring applications for more than 120 types of documents. Tourism: Moldova will promote wine, rural and cultural tourism at London’s World Travel Market in November.

Trade and Investment: Prime Minister Vasile Tofan is in Kyiv for talks on expanding trade and economic ties, attending the Kyiv International Economic Forum and discussing possible gas purchases from Ukraine. Agriculture: EIB Global is providing €150 million for Moldova’s agri-food businesses to upgrade equipment, storage, processing and logistics, building on a programme that backed more than 500 projects. Business Services: Online permit and application services have been restored after cyberattacks disrupted access; the platforms serve businesses applying for more than 120 types of documents. Start-ups: A proposed START Enterprise reform would let small businesses begin operating from a phone without prior permits, with inspections conducted afterward. Energy Market: Gas traded on Moldova’s BRM EST platform fell 72% in the first half of 2026, while prices averaged about €5/MWh above Greece’s market.

Energy Supply: Moldova is exploring cooperation with energy entrepreneur Igor Makarov, but no supply deal or investment has been agreed. Separately, Ukraine’s partial reopening of gas exports could create new regional supply opportunities. Power Links: Commissioning Chișinău’s substation and the Vulcănești–Chișinău line by year-end would reduce blackout risks and reliance on routes through Ukraine and Transnistria; missing the deadline could cost Moldova €15 million in EU funding. Trade Routes: Ukraine is seeking to move grain-truck customs checks deeper into EU countries to protect shipments from Russian attacks and border delays. Business Finance: The European Investment Bank is providing €150 million to modernize Moldova’s agri-food sector through the Orchard II programme. Taxes & Pay: Parliament’s 2027 fiscal package is expected to raise an additional 5.1 billion lei, while the government plans public-sector pay increases of up to 37%. Moldova also intends to keep its IT Park’s 7% single-tax rate through 2035.

Agriculture Investment: The European Investment Bank will provide €150 million for Moldova’s Orchard II programme, helping farms and food businesses upgrade production, processing and logistics and reach EU markets. Farmers’ Warning: Producers say they risk mass bankruptcies if grain-import licensing for Ukrainian goods expires on October 31, as low prices and high transport costs squeeze local growers. Energy Costs: Energocom is seeking a 30% increase in the regulated electricity price, to 3.51 lei per kWh, citing higher procurement costs. Tax and Business Rules: Parliament’s 2027 fiscal package is expected to raise an additional 5.1 billion lei, while the government plans to keep Moldova IT Park’s 7% single tax through 2035. The National Bank has also simplified foreign-exchange rules, allowing transfers and investments of up to €100,000 without authorization. Investment Links: In Budapest, President Maia Sandu urged Hungarian companies to invest in Moldova and discussed closer economic and energy cooperation.