A multidisciplinary team composed of representatives from the Economic Council to the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP), UCIP IFAD, the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (NAPCVDV), and the Women’s Law Centre carried out a visit to the village of Zolotievca, Anenii Noi district, within the framework of regional ecosystems for the economic empowerment of women – victims of violence and those in vulnerable situations.

At the beginning of the event, Aurelia Bulat, Head of the Gender Equality Policy Division at the MLSP, emphasized to the 15 women and local public authority representatives present at the discussion that “the economic empowerment of women is essential for strengthening their independence and for the development of rural communities. Women can benefit from support both from the state and through projects supported by non-governmental organizations.”

During the event, the Grant Programme for Climate Change Adaptation was presented, along with the identification of beneficiaries’ needs for the development of rural entrepreneurship initiatives. “The programme’s beneficiaries can access grants of up to 10,000 lei, designed to support entrepreneurial initiatives and adaptation to climate change. Our goal is to create concrete income opportunities for women in rural areas,” said Magdalena Rusnac, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Consultant at UCIP IFAD.

The participating women expressed their desire to find employment and build careers in various fields – such as drivers, hairdressers, or other professions – thus contributing to the development of their community. However, one major barrier to achieving these goals is the enrollment of children in kindergartens – currently, the village needs a nursery group. Another pressing issue is the lack of public transport passing through the locality, which affects residents’ right to mobility and access to essential services such as healthcare, childcare, and shops.

At the same time, women need assistance in addressing various challenges they face. In this regard, Lilia Borzin, social worker at the Women’s Law Centre, noted that the CDF can provide psychological and legal support to help protect their rights. Cristina Tîșcul, Gender Expert at the Secretariat of the Economic Council to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, emphasized: “The economic empowerment of vulnerable women cannot be achieved without an integrated ecosystem — financing, vocational training, access to social and legal services.

This contributes to strengthening the resilience of rural communities and unlocking the economic potential of women.” The session concluded with the development of an action plan to be implemented by the multidisciplinary team coordinated by the Secretariat of the Economic Council to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova.

August 26, 2025 — The Government approved the Concept of the eNotariat information system, a document that sets the framework for the development of digital notarial services. The project was initiated on the platform of the Economic Council under the Prime Minister, at the request of the business community, and aims to digitize notarial procedures for citizens, the diaspora, and companies. According to the authorities, the approval of the concept finalizes the stage of developing the secondary regulatory framework required for the implementation of online services. In May 2023, Parliament adopted Law no. 126/2023, which established the legal basis for conducting business remotely. The next stage consists of procuring IT services for the creation of the eNotariat platform, with financing announced by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The system is expected to enable the authentication of documents and access to notarial services online, using electronic signatures and interconnection with state registers.

August 22, 2025 – The activity of the Economic Council is essential for the economic development of the Republic of Moldova and for creating a constructive and effective dialogue between the Government and the business community. The statement was made by Prime Minister Dorin Recean during the Council’s plenary session, which highlighted the platform’s crucial role in identifying challenges, promoting reforms, and implementing public policies that support the competitiveness of local companies.

Prime Minister Dorin Recean, Chairman of the Economic Council, emphasized the importance of continuing the Council’s activity:

“This platform is unique in the entire region. Constructive dialogue between authorities and the business community is essential for Moldova’s economic development and European integration. The Economic Council allows us to quickly identify problems and find applicable solutions, including in priority sectors such as agriculture and the digital economy.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, Doina Nistor, added:

“It is very important that the Economic Council remains an active and relevant platform. Within it, new working groups will be created for vulnerable sectors such as agriculture or areas with complex regulations. These groups will enable more effective coordination between the Government, business community, and society, to accelerate the implementation of reforms and increase productivity. The Economic Council will continue to serve as an instrument for consultation and co-creation of policies, ensuring that every initiative is analyzed and implemented for the benefit of local enterprises and the national economy. At the same time, we will harness advanced technologies and digitalization, including artificial intelligence, to boost competitiveness and efficiency across all priority sectors.”

During the meeting, the new Rules of Procedure of the Council were presented—an innovative document designed to raise the level of activity of both the Council and its Secretariat. The rules clarify the Secretariat’s mandate, the role of experts, and the mechanisms for prioritizing activities, thereby strengthening the efficiency and relevance of the Council’s work for the national economy and supporting the faster and more organized implementation of reforms.

Members of the business community and representatives of donor institutions in Moldova stressed the need for the Economic Council to continue its work, as it represents an impartial platform where all members’ voices are heard and conveyed to the Government.

According to private sector representatives, the Council has demonstrated its ability to unite authorities and the business community, facilitating constructive dialogue and contributing to the adoption of balanced and sustainable economic policies. They also noted that maintaining this platform is essential in the context of the Republic of Moldova’s EU accession process, as the Council will help harmonize economic legislation, identify common priorities, and ensure a unified voice of the business community in relation to the authorities.

The Economic Council to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova is a dialogue platform between the business community, donors, and authorities, created in the early 1990s. Its mission is to support the development of a healthy socioeconomic climate and a transparent, investment-friendly business environment. At the same time, the Council fulfills the functions of the National Trade Facilitation Committee and the SME Advisory Council, playing a key role in identifying and solving issues of national importance.

On August 15, 2025, at Artcor, a thematic meeting was organized by the Economic Council to the Prime Minister, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Digitalization, dedicated to the implementation of recently adopted legislative provisions aimed at facilitating the activity of digital nomads in the Republic of Moldova.

The event brought together representatives of key institutions from the digital and entrepreneurial ecosystem, including Deputy Prime Minister Doina Nistor, Deputy Director of the Investment Agency Irina Tolstousov, Director of the E-Governance Agency Nicoleta Colomeeț, ATIC Executive Director Irina Oriol, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the General Inspectorate for Migration, Tekwill, Artcor, Mediacor, and others.

Participants discussed concrete aspects such as: New procedures for obtaining a digital nomad permit, its duration, and eligibility criteria; Expanding access to this type of residency through digital tools; Planning external promotion activities to attract digital nomads.

The meeting unfolded in an interactive Q&A format between implementation partners, focused on harnessing the potential of digital nomads to strengthen Moldova’s position as an international digital destination.

August 13, 2025 — The National Council for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Gender Equality (CNAEEG) convened at GLIA Impact Hub, ASEM, to address key issues related to women’s economic empowerment.

The meeting was opened by Carolina Bugăian, President of CNAEEG, who emphasized that women’s economic empowerment is not only a matter of fairness but also a vital driver of sustainable development in society.

During the session, Doina Nistor, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, presented the Reform Agenda, providing a clear vision of the Government’s strategic directions and how they align with the Council’s objectives.

Oxana Otgon, Head of the Implementation Unit at ODA, outlined the support programs implemented by the organization and the mechanisms through which women entrepreneurs can access and apply these programs.

Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and engage in an interactive discussion on the topics presented, and the meeting concluded with the adoption of conclusions and a group photo.

The event contributed to strengthening joint efforts to support women’s entrepreneurship, stimulate innovation, and create equal opportunities in the economy.

July 2, 2025 – Representatives of banks, fintech companies, and telecommunications firms met at the Economic Council to discuss legislative updates from the latest digital package, approved by Parliament on June 19, 2025.

Two major amendments to the Law on Banking Activity and the Law on Public Services were debated, allowing private operators to establish and operate turnkey service platforms for business development. Private companies will be able to integrate in one place both public services (offered by the Public Services Agency and other state entities) and business services provided by other companies: from company registration, bank account opening, obtaining digital signatures, accounting and compliance support, participation in public procurement, exports, subsidies, to business financing, loans, business partnerships and franchise procurement, courier services, online stores, branding, HR, trainings, etc.

In short – turnkey businesses in a minute, and if public institutions cannot cover everything, private companies will now come to the rescue! Natalia Selevestru, State Secretary within the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, emphasized the importance of these legislative changes for the digital transformation of the Republic of Moldova’s economy. She explained the benefits of these new tools regulated under the Legislative Package supporting the digital economy and electronic services, recently adopted through Law no. 144 of June 19, 2025. She also mentioned that the drafting and promotion of this legislative package was initiated on the platform of the Economic Council and benefited from the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), with involvement from the ICT Association of Moldova.

Ion Lupan, Head of the Secretariat of the Economic Council, detailed other provisions of this legislative package, highlighting that these represent modern instruments essential for digitalizing the economy and creating a more business-friendly and efficient environment, with broad financial and digital inclusion. Among the approved measures is the possibility to withdraw cash directly from POS terminals at all commercial units, such as stores and gas stations, facilitating financial inclusion of the population in areas without ATMs and in villages. Also, the ceiling for currency repatriation by entrepreneurs was increased from 1,000 to 100,000 lei to support e-commerce. The electronic fiscal receipt was introduced, no longer mandatory in printed form, and opening foreign currency accounts abroad was simplified, including for online exports. The package also includes provisions regarding the activity of digital nomads in Moldova, as well as facilitating remote identification of clients from the European Union through electronic means, supporting investments and the diaspora, who will thus have easier access to services in the country.

Nicoleta Colomeeț, Director of the Electronic Governance Agency (AGE), spoke about the remote identification project – eKYC, which will allow secure and rapid remote identification of individuals for citizens and businesses alike, especially banks, notaries, and public institutions. She noted that the platform is already under development with support from the Economic Council and the World Bank, and will eliminate bureaucracy, save time and money for citizens and entrepreneurs, as well as increase trust in digital services. Nicoleta Colomeeț emphasized that this tool is essential not only for the financial sector but also for other economic and social fields, as it will facilitate access to public and private services through a single remote identification and service solution.

Petru Rotaru, First Deputy Governor of the National Bank, welcomed the legislative innovations presented and mentioned that banks are closely monitoring these developments in the digital economy sector with great interest. He also urged authorities and entrepreneurs to implement all new digital tools with maximum caution regarding personal data security and protection of clients’ sensitive information. During the meeting, similar projects for developing integrated service platforms for business development were also presented, both from Romania – STUP.ro developed by Banca Transilvania, and from the Republic of Moldova – One-Stop Public Service Centers developed by AGE.

The experience of these models will be widely used in developing new offers for entrepreneurs, especially for those starting business activities and needing support and guidance. Moldova needs as simple conditions as possible for launching and developing businesses, to ensure as many jobs and economic prosperity as possible. The private sector can and must get involved to make this process friendly for everyone.

26 June 24, 2025 – The Parliament voted  in the first reading a law that establishes a new legal framework for individuals to engage in economic activity as independent entrepreneurs.The initiative was developed by the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, with the support of the Economic Council Secretariat under the Prime Minister and with the participation of the Ministry of Finance, CNAS, CNAM, the European Business Association, the OPTIM/Helvetas Project, and Saiph Consulting House.

Individuals will be able to operate legally under a new type of registration, without setting up a company. This regime will allow the legal provision of services such as consulting, IT, design, translation, education, caregiving, or technical and creative work. Initially, the independent entrepreneurship regime will apply only to a limited list of activities, which may be gradually expanded based on results.

The draft law also proposes the introduction of a simplified and flexible framework for independent entrepreneurship by individuals. The regime includes a flat tax rate of 15% on income, applicable for annual sales of up to 1.2 million lei.

Independent entrepreneurs will be required to use a dedicated bank account registered with the tax authority and to operate a cash register system for cash transactions.

Through this reform, the authorities aim to provide a viable legal alternative for tens of thousands of people currently engaged in informal economic activities. The new regime will encourage income legalization, foster individual initiative, and contribute to strengthening the country’s economic base.

26 June 2025 – Parliament has approved in the first reading a draft law aimed at optimizing the process of obtaining permits, developed by the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization with support from the World Bank’s Competitiveness Enhancement Project. The draft was discussed within the Economic Council to the Prime Minister, alongside business community representatives and public authorities.

A permit is an official document issued by the state—such as a license, authorization, or certificate—that a person must obtain before engaging in certain economic activities. For example, an entrepreneur wishing to open a small café must obtain a sanitary permit, a public catering authorization, a fire safety clearance, and other documents—even if the space complies with all rules and could welcome clients the next day. This process is often bureaucratic, time-consuming, and costly.

The project proposes key solutions such as eliminating certain permits, converting them into simple notifications, merging multiple documents into one, reducing the scope of activities requiring permits, shortening issuance times, extending validity periods, or even removing expiration dates, as well as eliminating unjustified documentation requirements.

In total, the project covers over 80 permits—more than 30 will be transformed or eliminated, and over 50 will be simplified. The draft law also strengthens the quality assurance system in business regulation. It introduces clear mechanisms for tacit approval, new rules for real-time updates of the Public Services Portal (SIA GEAP), the obligation for full digitalization of procedures, and clear provisions for using official notifications as an alternative to permits.

June 18, 2025 – The Government of the Republic of Moldova has approved a draft law aimed at optimizing the process of obtaining permits, developed by the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization with support from the World Bank’s Competitiveness Enhancement Project. The draft was discussed within the Economic Council to the Prime Minister, alongside business community representatives and public authorities.

A permit is an official document issued by the state—such as a license, authorization, or certificate—that a person must obtain before engaging in certain economic activities. For example, an entrepreneur wishing to open a small café must obtain a sanitary permit, a public catering authorization, a fire safety clearance, and other documents—even if the space complies with all rules and could welcome clients the next day. This process is often bureaucratic, time-consuming, and costly.

The project proposes key solutions such as eliminating certain permits, converting them into simple notifications, merging multiple documents into one, reducing the scope of activities requiring permits, shortening issuance times, extending validity periods, or even removing expiration dates, as well as eliminating unjustified documentation requirements.

In total, the project covers over 80 permits—more than 30 will be transformed or eliminated, and over 50 will be simplified. The draft law also strengthens the quality assurance system in business regulation. It introduces clear mechanisms for tacit approval, new rules for real-time updates of the Public Services Portal (SIA GEAP), the obligation for full digitalization of procedures, and clear provisions for using official notifications as an alternative to permits.

These reforms are part of the EU–Moldova Economic Growth Plan and will continue in 2026. Through this comprehensive reform, the Government aims to create a friendlier, more predictable, and more efficient business environment, aligned with European best practices and World Bank recommendations, thereby contributing to the competitiveness of Moldova’s economy.

The key measures included in the draft law are as follows: Lifting the ban on registering a new business if a person previously owned inactive, unliquidated, or indebted companies. The current restriction limits entrepreneurial freedom and discourages new economic initiatives. In fact, a new business could help generate revenue to repay previous debts.

Removing limits on advance dividend payments, which are currently restricted to quarterly or semi-annual distributions. Under the new rules, dividends can be paid at any time, which is especially beneficial for small businesses and sole proprietors. Eliminating the requirement to publish announcements in the Official Gazette regarding changes to company addresses, names, or the initiation of liquidation procedures. In the digital era, this obligation has become outdated and irrelevant. Allowing food-related businesses to operate in private residential houses, provided their activity poses a low risk of disturbing neighbors.

Repealing specific qualification requirements for staff in commerce and food service. These requirements are difficult to meet in the current labor market and often duplicate existing hygiene and safety regulations. Introducing a digital transmission mechanism for the hospitality sector to avoid duplicate notifications to both local authorities and the National Agency for Public Health (ANSP). Local authorities will now transmit information automatically to ANSP.

Allowing businesses to place advertising on the façade of their commercial spaces without needing consent from all other property owners in the building. Reducing the reporting burden on companies regarding goods for military purposes – now limited only to items not already recorded in public registries. Postponing the requirement for passenger transport companies to use GPS systems connected to a centralized state platform – which currently does not exist – until June 1, 2026, to avoid unnecessary costs and allow for proper implementation.

Eliminating the requirement for paper documents when transporting animals domestically, thanks to the availability of digital systems like E-ANSA. Expanding the list of economic activities that do not require a formal contract with a veterinarian. Removing the need for prior approval from the National Food Safety Agency for construction projects in the livestock sector. A sanitary-veterinary authorization is still required when launching the business, which ensures food safety.

Canceling the sanitary-veterinary certificate for meat and other animal-origin products intended for domestic trade. Law 306/2018 on food safety already requires a certificate of quality issued by the producer, guaranteeing the safety and conformity of the product. Extending the validity of the sanitary-veterinary authorization for transport vehicles from one year to three years. Adjusting salary requirements for hiring foreign workers.

Currently, businesses are required to pay foreign employees at least the average salary (over 15,000 lei in 2024), while local employees may be paid the minimum wage (5,000 lei). In some sectors, this makes hiring foreign workers unfeasible. The new rule allows the minimum salary for foreign citizens to be reduced to 50% of the average wage (approximately 7,500 lei), depending on labor productivity.

These legislative amendments were developed by the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Economic Council to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, with the support of UNDP Moldova, the USAID-funded MISRA Project (Institutional and Structural Reforms in Moldova), and OPTIM/Helvetas.