News about International trade

The Katko uranium mining joint venture, whose shareholders are France’s Orano (51%) and Kazatomprom (49%), significantly increased production last year. For the French co-owner, the enterprise has become a key foreign asset in 2025.

On the evening of March 4, at a dinner in Brussels, EU ambassadors told the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, that they did not support the EC’s idea of Ukraine’s accelerated membership in the EU and urged the commission to present “more realistic” plans.

Tehran’s decision has already taken effect and will remain in force until further instruction from the government. The authorities explain the temporary suspension of external agro-food shipments as “preventive measures to prevent possible shortages and price increases in basic consumer goods”. Some countries in the region have already expressed concern in this regard.

In connection with the introduction of a high alert regime in the energy sector, the Customs Service of Moldova warned economic operators about the introduction of a number of restrictions on the export and re-export of oil products.

Azerbaijan remains a key transit point for foreign nationals staying in Iran. The Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges compatriots who “could be in Iran” to keep in touch with the embassy in Baku to coordinate possible transit options.

Against the background of military actions in Iran, fuel prices are rising in Germany. The cost of diesel in the country averages 2.054 euros per liter. Gasoline of Super E10 grade rose to an average of 1.991 euros at the morning peak, Logos Press reports citing DW.

Falcon Defense, part of the Falcon Group, has announced its official entry into the Romanian market through the launch of an integrated production platform for explosives and artillery ammunition.

The tourism industry is facing the consequences of tensions in the Middle East, which have caused Moldovan tourists to cancel planned trips to the UAE and Israel, Logos Press reported.

In the last quarter of last year, Moldova surpassed Ukraine and Uzbekistan in the list of the largest suppliers of apple concentrate to Poland, one of the largest apple producers in Europe.

In the Arab Emirates there is an increase in the cancelation of short-term housing reservations in the wake of the military conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran, according to Logos Press.

The world grain market has come out of the multi-month trend of wheat prices decrease. Consequently, farmers of the Black Sea countries, including Moldova, will face the question – to sell or not to sell wheat at current prices, or to “take a pause” in the hope for a significant jump in prices in the foreseeable future?

As a result of leaving the CIS, Moldova’s state budget will save about 3.1 million lei in annual contributions. Moldova will pay almost the same amount this year to the Convention on the Danube Navigation Regime (Danube Commission).

The director of the Romanian company Transgaz, Ion Sterian, has assured that Romania currently has no problems with natural gas supplies despite the escalation of the war in the Middle East. The head of Transgaz said that consumption is covered by domestic production and storage facilities, while gas transit to Ukraine and Moldova continues as usual.

The customs authorities of Moldova and Romania intend to develop cooperation in order to optimize cross-border traffic and ensure the security of the common border. Emphasis will be placed on the implementation of coordinated controls at border crossing points, as well as on the implementation of the computerized NCTS system under the new conditions applicable to the Republic of Moldova.

The Moldovan authorities say that the situation with wine exports to Ukraine is under control, there will be no violations, and “solutions for unblocking” are being sought.

Microchips, biotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence will be excluded from the list of “strategic sectors” to be (partially) purchased from European manufacturers. Only heavy industrial goods such as mild steel and cement, aluminum and plastics used in the construction and automotive industries remain. These goods will have an advantage in the awarding of government contracts.

The heads of parliaments of the states of the “Odessa Triangle”, which includes Moldova, Romania and Ukraine, advocated further strengthening of sanctions pressure on Russia, in particular with regard to its “shadow fleet”.

Foreign tourists staying in Qatar during the Middle East airspace closure can extend their hotel stays for free.

UPDATED. Moldova will be the subject of a special briefing on the European Union enlargement, which will be held on Wednesday, March 4, in Berlin. The meeting will focus on the progress of the country’s EU accession negotiations and reforms after the 2025 parliamentary elections.

Official Beijing has moved into a phase of active diplomatic pressure, demanding that the parties to the Middle East conflict immediately ensure the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.