The topic of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has lately become an actual and increasingly important aspect in Moldovan law. Until recently scarcely regulated, the activity involving GMOs was subject to significant legal loopholes. This led to the inherent risk pertaining to GMOs being difficult to control, especially with agriculture playing an important role in the national economy.

ACI Partners Managing Partner Igor Odobescu, Nagy es Trocsanyi Founding Partner Peter Nagy, Kinstellar Partner Radovan Grbovic, Law Office Vujacic Partner Sasa Vujacic, and Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii Partner Robert Rosu discuss recent litigation trends across CEE, driven by the impact of economic shifts and regulatory changes in their jurisdictions.

In a detailed discussion on Moldova’s evolving fintech sector, ACI Partners Head of Fintech and E-Payments Nicolina Turcan highlights significant progress, largely driven by technological advancements, cross-border market integration, and the country's need to align its regulatory framework with EU regulations and directives and adjust its payment infrastructure.

This legislative monitoring report covers the introduction of new rules regulating public procurement in international relations, the adoption of the Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and EFTA member states, the introduction of new rules regulating trademarks from 2027, the adoption of the regulation on audiovisual content. The document also provides for the approval of the regulation on the environmental management of mercury waste, the adoption of the law on hunting and the protection of game resources, the implementation of the national programme for the development of creative industries "Creative Moldova" for the years 2024-2027, as well as the optimisation of the use of industrial parks. 

ACI Partners' Competition practice is busier than ever in Moldova, according to Legal Manager Carolina Parcalab, who points to transactions, Competition Council investigations, and competition law educational initiatives as their primary work sources.

Contributed by Aci Partners.

This Section includes information on legal acts implementing new rules or amendments, published in the Official Journal of the Republic of Moldova, referring to corporate, employment, social, taxation, customs, environment, and other matters. This Section also includes draft legislation of any direct or indirect relevance to the Company; as well as the temporary legislative measures approved pursuant to the state of emergency in the Republic of Moldova.

Moldova faces significant challenges in terms of insolvency in the future. In exploring the factors influencing this area of law, we examine the current state of affairs, anticipate trends, and look at how legal practitioners are gearing up to meet the expected rise in demand. Let’s break down the key points.

By Decision No. 361 dated 24 November 2023, the Parliament decided to extend the emergency state on the entire territory of the Republic of Moldova for 30 days, starting on 1 December 2023.

The IT sector, which is the most innovative area of the 21st century, requires the most innovative tax approaches. Moldova also considered the specific features that distinguish the IT sector and created a specific incentive tax regime for IT firms. In this regard, Law on Information Technology Parks No. 77 of April 21, 2016, regulates the activity carried out by firms that become IT Park residents and grants them the opportunity to apply for a single tax regime.

ACI Partners Legal Manager Carolina Parcalab, Avellum Senior Partner Glib Bondar, Gecic Law Counsel Miodrag Jevtic, Vujacic Law Office Partner Sasha Vujacic, and Schoenherr Bulgaria Local Partner Tsvetan Krumov discuss the current status of capital markets in CEE.

Following its separation from the Soviet Union, the Republic of Moldova has pitched upon a rigid labor law system defined by overly protective conditions toward employees.

Law no. 77/2016 on information technology parks will be amended. A project in this regard is currently undergoing repeated public consultations ("Project"). The main amendments included in the Project are as follows:

This Legal Monitoring Report includes the latest and most relevant amendments to the national legislation for forward-looking businesses. This month, several amendments were made to the Law on State Aid, Law on Consumer Protection, Law of Protection of Trade Secrets, as well as to the Customs Code and Law on Energy. The Report also outlines changes to the IT parks activity, as well as recent adjustments to the minimum and average salary in the economy for 2024.

As of October 22, 2023, a number of significant legal amendments come into effect regarding the relationships between shareholders and founders of commercial companies in the Republic of Moldova. These amendments introduce essential reforms to the Limited Liability Company Law No. 135/2007 and aim to enhance the business environment, facilitate investments, and strengthen shareholder relationships.

Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii Partner Gabriela Anton, Gecic Law Counsel Miodrag Jevtic, ACI Partners Head of Banking/Finance Marina Zanoga, Avellum Managing Partner Mykola Stetsenko, NazaIi Tax & Legal Partner Nilay Goker Duran, PRK Partners Senior Attorney-at-Law Norbert Hink, and Schoenherr Bulgaria Local Partner Tsvetan Krumov look at how the financial services landscape in the CEE region has been shifting, as local non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs) are gradually gaining ground in an area historically dominated by the banking sector.

By the middle of 2023, Moldova will likely have a modified Competition Law. The existing Competition Law dates back to 2012, and its material and procedural norms are almost intact in their original form. Since then, however, the Moldovan economy and society underwent profound changes.

In recent years, Initial Public Offerings on foreign exchange markets became a hot topic of discussion in Moldova. The Purcari Wineries Group, one of the biggest wineries in Moldova, got listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange Market. Others are also tackling the prospects. An IPO on a reputable market means better corporate governance, transparency, prestige, and access to new sources of funding.