The identification of skilled labor force is one of the main problems faced by entrepreneurs in Moldova. The shortage of staff is due to emigration. The World Bank supports in Moldova projects that offer training and personnel qualification, WB Country Manager Annei Akhalkatsi stated in the sixth Economic Forum of Italian Enterprises and Mixed Moldovan-Italian Enterprises in Moldova that was held in Chisinau on June 4, IPN reports.
Anna Akhalkatsi noted the lack of qualified personnel was felt by a Moldovan female entrepreneur who for a period stayed in Italy and learned from production experience there. When she returned to the country, the women founded an enterprise that makes packing for perfumes and the largest part of production is exported to Italy. The enterprise has 90 employees and always needs staff given that a lot of work is done by hand, but there is a shortage of personnel. The World Bank devotes attention to such elements as improvement of the business environment and extension of the market in the country and abroad.
Caroline Tissot, director of the Swiss Cooperation Office, said Moldova during the last few years looked for economic opportunities abroad, in Italy, for example. A brain drain occurred, which is important for achieving economic balance. Moldova makes effort to stimulate the creation of jobs in the private sector and to develop work capacities, especially among young people. In this regard, the Swiss Cooperation Office supports Moldova in these efforts through a project that will cost €50 million and that will be implemented during four years.
Antonio Castillo Fernandez, head of the EIB Representative Office, noted that during 25 years the European Investment Bank supported more than 1 million enterprisers and in 2018 it undertook to invest €64 billion in small and medium-sized enterprises, innovations, the environment and infrastructure, including in Moldova. The EIB so far allocated the most of resources for infrastructure, transport and the energy sector in Moldova. The project to interconnect the energy resources of Moldova and Romania is under implementation. In the future, emphasis will be placed on the financing of projects to process solid waste and to reform hospitals, including to build a hospital.
Angela Sax, head of the EBRD Office in Moldova, stated the most important projects implemented by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development are related to energy security, support for the entrepreneurs and the banking sector. Investments so far totaled €136 billion in more than 5,000 projects, with 79% going to infrastructure projects in the private sector. The EBRD also offers technical assistance and consultancy to companies. In Moldova, the EBRD invested €1.3 billion in the private sector and the building sector. In 2019, together with the EIB, they will support projects in road infrastructure, transport, energy and water supply.
Vasile Plămădeală, trade officer at the European Union Delegation, said everyone knows about the relationship between Moldova and Italy. The fact that there are many Moldovans in Italy and vice versa contributes to building closer relations between the two states and the EU welcomes these relations. The Moldova-EU Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and proper export infrastructure can generate advantages for the economy if the necessary reforms are done.
