LONDON/LOS ANGELES – China’s just-concluded “Two Sessions” – the annual meetings of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference – sent a clear message: technology will be a major driver of the country’s economic future.
Moldovan farmers started sowing sugar beet this week. The sowing campaign started later than usual. Taking into account the weather forecast, it is likely that sowing will be carried out in a short period of time. Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA) hope that the area of sugar beet plantations for the harvest-2026 in the country will remain at last year’s level – about 11-12 thousand hectares. The pledge of hope is the direct subsidies “per hectare” provided by the new law on subsidies.
Companies have received protection from blocking of bank accounts and forced collection of funds in cases when debts are formed due to unfulfilled obligations of state institutions. The corresponding norm is included in the package of legislative amendments finally approved by the Parliament on Thursday, March 26.
In 2025, the United States was the world’s largest producer of crude oil and condensate, producing 13.58 million barrels per day (mb/d), well ahead of Russia (9.87 mb/d) and Saudi Arabia (9.51 mb/d). Together, these three countries were responsible for 39% of global crude oil production in 2025.
Iran’s strikes on the Ras Laffan gas hub in Qatar disrupted helium production and showed how the conflict is hitting technology and medicine beyond energy markets.
Fendt Chairman of the Board of Management Christoph Groblinghoff predicts that the agricultural machinery market will only resume growth from 2027. At the same time, he warns of increased competition from Chinese agricultural machine manufacturers.
UPDATED. The creation of the Convergence Fund was faced with inconsistency of tax systems: on the right bank of the Nistru River there is VAT, while on the left bank there is turnover tax. This complicates the unification of tax rules. But the authorities are ready to work in a “very friendly manner” to gradually implement unified rules and ensure equal conditions for business on both banks of the Nistru River.
Specifying the country of origin of goods may increase sales of local producers up to 15% in the fresh produce segment. Such a draft was discussed on Wednesday, March 25, in the parliamentary commission for economy, budget and finance.
The March report of the International Grains Council (IGC) forecasts a 1.3% decline in global corn production in the 2026/27 marketing season to 1.303 billion tons. At the same time, global consumption of this grain will increase and is likely to exceed production. The final stocks of corn grain will decrease significantly.
The rules for calculating pensions may be revised. In particular, it is proposed to include in the insurance record periods of childcare by relatives – for example, a grandmother, paternity leave for fathers, as well as to grant the right to an early pension to women with many children.
