CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
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.
On January 22, 2024, Vernon David announced that Victoriabank’s acquisition of the BCR Chisinau subsidiary (reported by CEE Legal Matters on April 7, 2023) had closed.
Former Senior Associate Valeriu Cernei has been promoted to a Partner position with Gladei & Partners in Chisinau.
On 21 December 2023 the Moldovan Parliament adopted significant amendments to the Law No.77/2016 on Information Technology Parks („IT Parks Law”) positioning Moldova as an attractive destination for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). These amendments notably extend the eligibility criteria for IT Park residents, offering particular advantages to export-oriented BPO service providers.
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.
Recently, in the legal framework of Moldova was proposed a project regarding the modification of Standard Contractual Clauses (“SCCs”) for cross-border transmission of personal data that is meant to give a good refresh to the current regulation and ensure a better harmonization with the GDPR.
On November 21, 2023, corporate/M&A and private equity experts from Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkiye, and Ukraine sat down for a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the key developments in the field over the past decade.
Vernon David Partner Sergiu Bivol talks about the evolution of the practice and their role as legal advisors in Moldova over the last 10 years.
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:
Moldova's legal and economic landscape is undergoing momentous transformations according to Efrim Rosca Asociatii Partner Oleg Efrim, from updates to the corporate sector and an ongoing digital transformation, to Moldova's path towards EU integration and the challenges and opportunities facing various business sectors amid geopolitical tensions.
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.
Amendments to the law on gas, the corporate legal framework, as well as proposed amendments to the tax code all indicate the existence of a vibrant legislative landscape in Moldova, according to Dolea & Co Partner Sorin Dolea. To top it all off, Moldova also recently registered a financial market milestone: its first corporate bond transaction.
On 26 May 2023 the Parliament of Moldova passed Law No.°126, which among other things implements certain novelties to the Moldovan Law on Notarial Procedure. Those relating to electronic notarisation will enter into force when the technical conditions referred to in the law are in place, but not later than 23 June 2026.
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.
Moldova's legislative landscape is undergoing a period of significant transformation driven by the government's efforts to align with EU acquis, with key developments including amendments to limited liability company laws, the introduction of contactless business legislation, data protection changes, and comprehensive judicial reforms, according to Stratulat Albulescu Partner Sabina Cerbu.
ACI Partners is a leading law firm in Moldova with an expanding network of partners throughout Europe. ACI Partners was established in 2006 and since then has managed to build a very strong and competitive legal practice. Our business strategy strives to deliver a solid and reliable service, going beyond merely grasping the law, which the clients may turn to whenever they need. In reaching this goal, ACI Partners employs a personalized approach to each client, showing a genuine respect for their values and unqualified commitment to their interests and needs, steadily investing in knowledge and data management and ensuring a working environment consistent with our clients’ quality demands and high expectations.
ACI Partners is a one-stop shop law firm proficient in all possible legal matters a business might come across in Moldova, starting with incorporation of a business, and obtaining of all the necessary regulatory permits, continuing with various daily matters, such as contracts, labor, and migration, and finishing with dispute settlement, insolvencies, and criminal investigations. But we pride ourselves especially for our unmatched expertise in most innovative and complex areas for Moldova, as Modern Financial Products, Data Protection, Renewable Energy, Competition, Clinical Studies, Public Procurement, and Regulatory. In our work, we always involve a team of professionals with the relevant skill-mix, which enables us to provide our clients with an integrated and comprehensive advice, superior to our competitors.
ACI Partners has advised the Government of the Republic of Moldova, businesses, international organizations, and other institutions on most challenging transactions, assignments and projects.
ACI Partners is not just another law firm. Over the course of our existence and working in Moldova, and on the international stage for our non-Moldovan clients, we have developed a strong set of core values which, we believe, guide us in everything that we do and, moreover, gives us a competitive advantage – differentiating us from other firms on the market.
