97% of the companies working in Moldova are small and medium-sized. They contribute to the creation of 35% of the GDP and employ more than a half of the working population, Deputy Minister of Economy Octavian Calmac said in the opening of the Moldovan-German Forum for Financing the SMEs. The forum is held within the Transform Program of the Federal Ministry of Finance of Germany and the Institute for Development and Social Initiative ( IDIS) Viitorul, Info Prim Neo reports. Octavian Calmac said the Government pays great attention to the development of the SME sector. There have been launched a series of programs that facilitate access to financing, but the demand is higher than the supply. The deputy minister welcomed the Transform Program, whereby the Moldovan SMEs can obtain additional financial resources and knowledge how to run businesses. German Ambassador in Chisinau Berthold Johannes said that if the state provides adequate support to the SMEs, the Moldovans working abroad will be able to find work in their homeland. Forum moderator Uwe Konst said many German banks and financial institutions are directly or indirectly present on the Moldovan market, for example through ProCredit Group or through the support provided to microfinance organizations. Other institutions intend to open credit lines in Moldova's banks. IDIS Viitorul expert Viorel Chivriga said Moldova should learn from Germany's experience in using state instruments to reduce the interest rate on the loans granted to the SMEs and assist the SMEs in identifying and working out viable business projects that may be financed. Microinvest director general Artur Munteanu said the small and medium-sized companies now have better access to financing than five years ago, but they are heavily indebted and should increase their own capital so as to be able to get larger loans for a longer period. Besides, the state and the economic entities working in this sector should invest more money in developing the capacity to gain new knowledge and skills. Germany's experience shows the knowledge is very important for having a profitable business, Artur Munteanu said.