Marian Lupu said repairs to the building would cost $30 million and replacing damaged furniture and looted equipment would need a further $10 million.
Protests against the ruling Communist Party's victory in Sunday's elections turned violent on Tuesday, with some 10,000 rioters seizing control of the presidential residence and nearby parliament building. Some 170 police officers and more than 100 civilians were injured in the clashes.
Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin has accused Romania of inciting the violence in the capital, and on Wednesday the Moldovan government approved the introduction of a visa regime with Romania, and also expelled the country's ambassador.
The capital was reported to be quiet overnight without any demonstrations or repeats of the protests.
