There is an increase by 1.2% in comparison to 2012. This is reasoned by the increase in number of tourists staying in hostels (8.9%), hotels and motels (6.0%), healthcare structures (2.9%) and holiday camps for children (1.1%).

According to the number of nights stayed in shared accommodation facilities, most of the tourists originated from Romania (22%). They were followed by Russians (11.5%), Ukraine (9.7%), Germany (6.2%), Italy (5.3%), the USA (4.9%), Turkey (4.8%), Poland (2.8%), Great Britain (2.7%), France (2.4%) and others.

The data does not include the hosting in the accommodation facilities located in the Transnistrian region.

Photo: Moldova.ORG

Știrea Romanians, Russians are top tourists in Moldova a apărut pe Moldova.org.

“Extra flight Chisinau-Vienna (OS 658) will depart four times per week at 05:35 with arrival to Vienna at 06:35. This morning departure will provide perfect connections to intercontinental destinations: Male, New York, Washington, Chicago, Toronto, Beijing, Delhi and Tokyo,” the airline informed in a press release.

The new timetable is valid from April 1 to October 31, 2014.

Austrian Airlines operates only one flight a day to Chisinau. It departs from Vienna at 12:30 and lands in Chisinau at 15:10. On the way back, the plane takes off from Chisinau airport at 15:55 and reaches Vienna airport at 16:45.

The new flight will operate Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from Vienna (21:30) and will land in Chisinau at 00:25+1. On the way back, Austrian Airlines aircraft will depart Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Știrea More flights per week from Chisinau to Vienna a apărut pe Moldova.org.

Moldovan Economy Ministry released a summary of achievements of 2013. According to the ministry, “all economy-related sectors registered progress,” the tendency leading to “higher income among the population and a decrease in unemployment.”

During the first nine months the industry sector generated by 6.6% more products compared to the same period a year before. The statistics show that exports have increased faster than imports (11.3% and 4.9%, respectively).

In the same period there emerged more foreign investments, worth $183 million. This is an increase by 35.3% compared to 2013.

Economy Ministry of Moldova forecasts a yearly increase by 4.5% in GDP during 2014-2017. They also expect a growth of 8.5% per year in exports and a 7.2% in imports. The nominal average salary is expected to go up by 31.5% by 2017.

Știrea Moldovan economy grew in 2013 a apărut pe Moldova.org.

The constant value increase of Euro has led to higher living costs in the country. The petroleum is among the goods affected by the rising costs.

Știrea Euro hits record high in Moldova a apărut pe Moldova.org.

The three sponsors will provide 59 million Euro in loans to implement the project.

The EBRD and the EIB will each provide loans of 24 million Euro, while the EU will pay an 11 million Euro grant. The main beneficiary is the city’s water and wastewater utility S.A. Apa Canal Chisinau.

“Clean water is essential for life,” EIB President Werner Hoyer said. “Investment in the Chisinau city water system will significantly improve the quality of drinking water, reduce leaks and enhance waste water treatment.”

According to the sponsors, the funding will be used to finance the extension, rehabilitation and modernization of the water and wastewater infrastructure. This upgrade is intended to save energy, improve the efficiency of Chisinau’s water network and contribute towards future compliance with relevant EU directives.

“This is a very significant investment programme,” EBRD President Sir Suma Chakrabarti said at the signing of the project in Chisinau. “Its significance lies not only on the considerable amount of money involved, but also in the impact it will have on people’s lives. It is an outstanding example of how international financial institutions and the European Union are working together.”

Studies show that the water network in Chisinau is no longer appropriate for meeting city’s demands.

“Due to a lack of investment key parts of the network are in urgent need of refurbishment. Investment planned under the new upgrade programme will reduce water loss, improve water quality and reduce health risks,” the sponsors said in a joint statement.

Știrea Capital of Moldova to have a new, modern water infrastructure with foreign support a apărut pe Moldova.org.

Vienna Insurance Group is the leading insurance specialist in Austria as well as in Central and Eastern Europe. Over 50 companies in 24 countries form a Group with a long-standing tradition, strong brands and close customer relations.

“By entering the Moldovan market, we have expanded the Vienna Insurance Group’s network to 25 countries and gained access to one of the last blank areas on our map of Central and Eastern Europe,” said Peter Hagen, CEO of the Vienna Insurance Group. “Donaris provides a good platform for positioning in the insurance market in Moldova.”

Donaris Group was established in 1998. It is headquartered in the capital Chisinau. The company has a market share of 8.4%. It is the country’s fourth largest non-life insurer. It has about 120 employees.

The insurance company recorded premiums of 2.8 million Euro in the first half of 2013, an increase of approximately 9% compared to 2012.

Știrea “Vienna Insurance Group” to acquire Moldova-based “Donaris” insurance company a apărut pe Moldova.org.

In a talk show on the national TV channel, Moldova 1, Mr. Leanca said that he will meet his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev in Sochi next week and will address the question one more time.

“According to my counterpart, it is not embargo but a technical issue,” Iurie Leanca said.

He said it does not matter whether this is called embargo or technical issues, since Moldova does not export wines to the Russian market anymore.

“I do not exclude meeting Mr. Medvedev in Sochi next week. I will ask him what the problem is,” Mr. Leanca said.

The Premier urged the winemakers to not fully rely on Russia, but seek new markets, such as the European Union market which has already lifted any import quotas for Moldovan wine.

He said that even Chinese and Indian markets should also be considered.

Russia banned wine imports from Moldova on September 10, claiming quality concerns.

Over 2 thousand batches of alcoholic beverages, amounting more than 13 million liters of wine, have been imported from Moldova by Russia in 2013.

Știrea Moldovan Premier to ask Russian counterpart: What’s the problem? a apărut pe Moldova.org.

In an exclusive interview with Moldova.ORG, deputy minister of Informational Technology and Communication, Vitalie Ciolac said that such agreements will be signed in the following two months.

“The most important advantage provided by these cooperation deals is the facilitation of money transfers, their safety and legality, hindering the black economy developed by unofficial channels (such as busses) and lowering the transfer fees,” Mr. Ciolac said.

According to him, these fees will be lowered at least two times.

“Some companies charge you with 36 euro for a transfer of 1,000 euro,” he said, adding that the new accord would lower it “2-3 times.”

Tens of thousands of Moldovan citizens reside in Italy.

Știrea Moldova-Italy deal to ease money transfers a apărut pe Moldova.org.

The grant was launched on Tuesday in the framework of the Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA), program administered by the World Bank.

The project seeks to increase the social accountability through the inclusion of citizens in monitoring the impact of reforms and budget allocations to education. It is designed to empower Moldovan citizens to engage authorities at all levels in evidence-based policy and budget dialogue regarding educational reform, quality of educational services, and development priorities of schools, as well as enable an environment in which social accountability initiatives thrive and develop.

Over 65,000 students, parents and staff in roughly 100 schools will be supported by the project.

“Currently, parents and communities in Moldova are mostly uninformed about school performance,” said Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Manager for Moldova. “This means that key stakeholders have a limited ability to hold schools and teachers accountable for lack of quality or inefficient use of resources. Addressing this challenge is critical in the context of the Government of Moldova’s ongoing education reform efforts given the increased autonomy in managing resources granted to schools.”

Executive Director of Expert-Group Adrian Lupusor said that engaging the stakeholders of the educational sector in the reform process will increase its efficiency and sustainability.

“The most appropriate tool for ensuring the sustainability and efficiency of any reform is to engage its stakeholders in the whole process, and the educational sector reform should not be an exception,” said Adrian Lupusor said. “GPSA can serve as a fundamental mechanism for involving students, parents, teachers and the whole community in the on-going educational sector reforms.”

Over $1 billion has been allocated to 49 operations in Moldova since it joined the World Bank in 1992. The World Bank portfolio includes seven active projects with total commitments of $162.2 million.  

Știrea Grant of $696,000 for education reform in Moldova a apărut pe Moldova.org.

Therefore, mobile phones, electronic readers, smartphones and tablet computers are allowed to be used during takeoff and landing. However, these devices have to be operated in “flight mode.”

The new guideline for the use of PEDs on board has been issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency. It was adopted by the Hungarian Civil Aviation Authority.

“In conformity with these new guidelines Wizz Air now allows the use of such devices when operated in flight mode during any phase of the flight,” Wizz Air informed in a press release.

The airline asks their passengers to remove headphones during the safety announcements of the cabin crew and turn off electronic devices when the crew cannot confirm that these are operating in flight mode.

“We encourage passengers to bring their favorite gadgets and read a book or watch a movie when flying on our low fares, while our crew takes good care of them and carries them to their destination,” Wizz Air’s Daniel de Carvalho said.

The airline stressed that larger electronic devices, such as laptops, will have to be stored for takeoff and landing, since they could lead to injuries during these phases of flight.  

Știrea Wizz Air allows use of electronic devices during takeoff and landing a apărut pe Moldova.org.