In 12 years since its creation, the Balti Free Economic Zone (Balti FEZ) has attracted more than $250 million in investment, and its resident companies have paid $27 million in taxes, creating over 10,000 jobs. During an event organized by the Economic Press Club, the president of ZEL Balti Marin Ciobanu noted that the Zone accounts for 33% of Moldova’s industrial output and 15% of exports, IPN reports.

As regards prospects, Marin Ciobanu wishes to see the Marculesti Airport operate in northern Moldova with the help of a large investor.

Alexandru Bordeianu, vice-president of Draexlmaier Company, resident of ZEL Balti, said that the company’s activity depends on the fluctuations on the international market. He cannot say that they are directly affected by the situation in Ukraine, but they have clients that receive parts from the region. Respectively, if the client is affected, they are also affected.

Alexandr Vasiliev, vice president of Ghepauer & Griller, another resident of the area, said that the company recently completed ten years of activity in Moldova, during which time it carried out several investment projects and created jobs. The company focuses on stability and predictability factors within the Balti FEZ.

Ion Tornea, the president of the Employers’ Association of the Manufacturing Industry, says that, unfortunately, investors are attracted with difficulty, because the necessary infrastructure, technologies, labor force must be prepared. Moldova is not very well positioned in these areas.

Manfred Grund, an active contributor to the creation of the Balti FEZ, called it an “economic beacon” and is glad that the FEZ hosts German and Austrian companies that are very active. The results they report are a success story and place Moldova on the list of destinations with a good workforce, good well-trained, specialists, who can be further trained so the requirements of German companies are met.