The diasporas will be encouraged to help promote the Moldovan products abroad through the agency of the “Products of Moldova” catalog that was launched by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Moldova, Info-Prim Neo reports. Supported by CEED project financed by USAID and the EU-funded SEPIA project, AmCham Moldova has developed a catalog of products produced in Moldova for export that includes product descriptions, pricing and companies’ information. For the first edition, 31 Moldovan companies were selected to be promoted abroad. They work in such areas as: agricultural foods, wine products, soft drinks, cosmetics, textile industry, production of carpets and toys. The goal of this project is to increase exports of Moldovan products by targeting the diasporas of Eastern Europeans living in the United States, Canada and Western Europe who are already aware of the quality of Moldovan products. During the presentation of the catalog, AmCham Moldova Director John Maxemciuc, who heads the company Sun Communications, said the diasporas living in the United States, Canada and Western Europe include about 20 million persons. “The potential of these markets is very great. With the help of the diasporas, the Moldovan products will gradually become known and popular with the consumers there,” said Maxemciuc. “We would like to have much more participants within the project “Products of Moldova” for the next years’ editions, as the catalog is an efficient instrument of promotion for the participants. I take this opportunity to encourage all Moldovan companies that want to expand their market shares abroad to apply for participation within the next editions of the catalog,”said Elena Buzu, Project Manager of AmCham Moldova. “Moldova is looking for a new model of economic development that would ensure a sustainable economic growth and better living conditions. It will be a model that will focus on the promotion and diversification of exports, attraction of foreign and local investments for modernizing industry and producing competitive goods. The catalog is an important instrument for promoting such goods,” said Deputy Minister of Economy Ilarion Popa. “It is important that the the catalog comprises only reputable companies that are in good standing. Within the Competitiveness Enhancement and Enterprise Development Project (CEED), we also work to launch new brands and some of them, such as Marinelle and Bombonici, were included in the catalog,” said Maria Gheorghita, CEED coordinator. The catalog will be distributed to almost 2 000 ethnic grocery stores and shops that serve the diasporas living in the United States, Canada and Western Europe. The information will be updated each year. The catalog will also be available in an online version www.productsofmoldova.md. AmCham is a nongovernmental nonprofit association of private business in Moldova. As a member of the 112 AmChams worldwide, the mission of the AmCham is to promote American trade and investment in Moldova and to work with the Moldovan government and business leaders to foster a favorable business climate for foreign trade and investment. Today, AmCham Moldova members are almost 65 companies ranging from large international companies to small Moldovan companies. AmCham Moldova is a member of “Guillotine” Working Group for the regulation of business activity. It actively promotes among its members the principles of Corporate Social Responsibility.