The Government of Moldova must set up a fund for co-financing crossborder projects, considers MP George Mocanu. The lawmaker has told IPN that though the number of implemented projects and attracted investments increases in Moldova, the co-financing on the part of beneficiaries remains a problem. “Now the co-financing level is 10%, but, if a larger sum is attracted, for example of €3 million, it’s problematic for the beneficiaries to contribute €300,000,” said the official. The MP Monday took part in the Crossborder Forum of Entrepreneurs staged by the Business Consulting Institute in Chisinau.
George Mocanu said that things moved on during the last several years and, owing to the support provided by the European Commission by different projects, such as “Competitiveness enhancement through human
synergy in the border region”, a number of crossborder projects have been launched in Moldova recently.
“Based on the experience and communication with the beneficiaries, we discovered a number of problems, first of all the co-financing. The state should think about a co-financing fund. Secondly, the administrative systems in Moldova, Romania and Ukraine are different. Even if we are neighbors, these systems are often incompatible. The decision taking level is different when it is about authorizations and permits. Some issue them during 30 days, others during 60 days or even 90 days. A project is approved within 10 days or two months. This leads to delays and implementation problems,” stated the official.
George Mocanu also said that besides the entrepreneurs, the authorities should also cooperate at crossborder level. A solution to solve the problems of businessmen is to adjust the national legislation to the European one and to implement the community acquis that will help to faster carry out projects.
Valentina Veverita, head of the Ministry of Economy’s SME Development Policy Division, said this forum of entrepreneurs has a special importance for the SME sector. “In Moldova, the SMEs represent 97% of all the companies. Their contribution to the formation of the GDP is 28%. The development of enterprises is important and we will not manage to develop crossborder cooperation without them. We must organize the internationalization of SMEs, but we will not succeed to without this kind of cooperation. The studies presented at the forum show that the Moldovan entrepreneurs, unlike those from Romania, do not know the laws of the neighboring states and the opportunities of extending their operations into these countries,” she stated.
The project “Competitiveness enhancement through human
synergy in the border region” is supported financially by the European Commission through the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument, within the Joint Operational Program Romania - Ukraine – Republic of Moldova 2007-2013. It is implemented by the Business Consulting Institute in partnership with the Regional Entrepreneurs Association North-East Romania, the Iasi Dialog for Development Association and the Association for Economic Development of Kolomyia, Ukraine.
