Moldovan Public Services Agency clarifies procedures for investments in weapons' production following statements by MP

The Public Services Agency (ASP) has issued an official response, in the context of statements made by MP Vasile Costiuc regarding the intention of certain companies to build a weapons manufacturing plant in Moldova. In his public statements, the lawmaker claimed that a company linked to a Qatari citizen had requested from the authorities a license to carry out such an activity.

In the context, ASP explained that, under national legislation, any investment in an area of importance for state security, including the one concerning weapons’ production, requires prior approval issued by the Council for the Examination of Investments of Importance for State Security (CEIISS).

“Only after getting this approval, can the potential investor request an activity license from ASP, within the licensing field ‘production, assembly, import or re-export, marketing of civilian weapons and ammunition, and repair of civilian weapons,’” the public services authority stated.

ASP emphasized that Moldovan legislation made a clear distinction between the production of civilian weapons and the one of military weapons.

“Thus, the institution does not issue licenses for the production of military ammunition or weaponry, as they are strictly reserved for state institutions. Military activities, including the production, assembly, import, re-export and marketing of military weapons and ammunition, may be carried out exclusively by state entities,” the cited source noted.

According to ASP, the aforementioned potential investor had previously submitted the required documentation for a license to produce and market civilian weapons.

“This application was rejected more times, as the file did not contain all necessary documents, including mandatory procedural documents. Presently, ASP has not received a new application from the investor for the issuance of a license,” the Public Services Agency underlined.

CEIISS was created in 2016, initially as the Council for the Promotion of Investment Projects of National Importance, and reorganized in 2025, retaining its responsibilities. The Council is composed of the heads of more ministries and institutions, including the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Investment Agency, the Intelligence and Security Service, the National Anticorruption Center, the Office for the Prevention and Fight Against Money Laundering, the Financial Market Commission, the National Bank and the Public Property Agency. The prime minister of Moldova serves as president of CEIISS, while ASP provides the Council’s secretariat. Decisions are taken collectively, by simple majority vote.

ASP concluded that, in order to make investments in the field of civilian weapons, investors must strictly comply with the legal procedure and any claim regarding the approval of a military weapons plant is unfounded. The Agency reiterated that current legislation strictly limits private investors’ access to the production of military weaponry, in order to protect national security.

ASP’s reaction comes as a direct response to MP Costiuc’s public statements and clarifies the legal framework for investments and licensing in the weapons sector, highlighting the role of state institutions in regulating and overseeing this sensitive area.