LP: – Mr. Swenson, you have been responsible for the development of the Miele brand…
The Miele Experience Center showroom, a unique trade format for premium class appliances, opened in Chisinau, with Miele Export Director Eric Swenson present at its launch. In an exclusive interview for Logos Press, he spoke about the reasons for the expansion, the realities of the market and why Miele had an investment interest.
Vasiliy Lungu is a well-known person in the restaurant business: he owns the cult establishments Mojito, Chernomorka, Teatrul Gastronomic, Piana Vyshnia and the Draft chain. At the same time, he is not a media personality, he does not give interviews and he agreed to the meeting with Logos Press reluctantly. Nevertheless, our conversation took place. What came out of it – in an exclusive interview with LP.
Chisinau hosted Taxcon’25 – the largest conference on taxation, where regulators, business and international experts assessed the country’s fiscal course. This year, the main topics were the harmonization of taxes and excise duties with EU legislation, digitalization of tax administration, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the automation of fiscal systems. For Moldova, which is on its way to the EU, these issues are of key importance: not only the fulfillment of European requirements, but also the ability to support economic growth depends on how the country adjusts its tax levers.
The scandal with SA “Topaz” has received a new round of development. It should be reminded that an unprecedented situation unfolded at this strategic enterprise: raider seizure and deep crisis of management led to a legal vacuum and creation of a dangerous precedent in the corporate practice of RM.
The Chisinau-based bakery Franzeluta, which has long established exports to the United States, has not felt the decrease in supplies to the American market. This was reported to Logos Press by the company’s general director Andrei Beşliu, who noted that in 2024 the export volumes to the US market reached $1.5 million.
In the summer of 2025, ahead of important geopolitical decisions and the EU’s new seven-year budget, Vilnius is increasingly active in European economic discussions. We met with Lithuania’s Deputy Minister of Economy Agile Barzdienė to talk about how the country has changed over 20 years of EU membership, what lessons can be useful for Moldova on its path to integration, and how Vilnius plans to support Chisinau in the European process.
The Council for the Review of Significant Investments for State Security has blocked any possible capital investment related to the Topaz plant, citing security concerns.
A new stationery supermarket “Papirus” was opened in Ciocana sector in Chisinau. This is the fifth store of the chain developed in Moldova by S.C. Birolux-MT.
The Ministry of Finance is considering the possibility of introducing taxes on all parcels from foreign marketplaces, including those worth up to 150 euros. This was announced by Corina Alexa, head of the Main Department of Tax and Customs Policy of the Ministry of Finance, during a meeting of the Economic Press Club dedicated to problems related to E-commerce.
The hotel business in Moldova has been booming for the third year. Due to the military actions in Ukraine, the entire industry – about 280 structures for receiving tourists with 8.3 thousand rooms (25 thousand beds) – has fallen into a phase of high demand. Logos Press asked hotel expert, owner of Thomas Albert Hotel chain Sergey Kalugin about how the situation has affected the market development and whether big money is possible in the industry.
Moldova’s stand at the international exhibition Osaka-2025 (Japan) caused a mixed reaction in the society. And it is not only about the 6 million lei spent (with a number of financial benefits), but also about WHAT exactly and HOW this money was spent.
Iurie Humeniuc is a man who turns abandoned wastelands into forests. He is the founder and coordinator of Impadurim Moldova, an initiative that restores forest cover on degraded land. In the last five years, his team has planted more than 300,000 trees across the country. In an interview for Logos Press, he talked about the problems of Moldovan forestry, budgets and prices, and why state programs are not effective.
Three years ago, Moldova banned the online sale of e-cigarettes in an effort to control the booming market. Authorities hoped that the measures, including increased excise taxes, reduced nicotine dosage and limited cartridge capacity, would help stop the proliferation of vape devices, especially among young people. But after a while, it became clear: the market went into the shadows, control over the turnover was lost, and the budget lost about 650 million lei.
The crisis at the Chisinau-based Topaz plant has escalated after acting administrator Inna Linnic challenged the legality of the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders scheduled for June 6,” Logos Press reports.
The Moldovan tourism business increased its revenues by 16%, earning 421 million lei in the first quarter,” Logos Press reported.
A deal that could not be closed for more than a year will be finalized in Moldovan retail. The Competition Council authorized Moldretail Group to merge with Fourchette-M,” Logos Press reported.
Two Moldovan air carriers accounted for more than half of the passenger traffic,” Logos Press reported.
Franzeluta increased its Easter baked goods sales in 2025 to 170 tons, surpassing last year’s 160 tons, Logos Press reported.
Today, May 2, an emergency occurred at the Topaz factory in Chisinau. The general director Inna Linnik was not allowed to enter the factory on the orders of the new management, whose authority has not been confirmed by anyone,” Logos Press reported.
