Eighteen local and foreign companies participate in a two-day investment forum organized in Chisinau by the Government, in cooperation with the American Chambers of Commerce of Romania and Moldova, and the US and Romanian embassies in Chisinau, Info-Prim Neo reports. Prime Minister Vlad Filat said during the opening of the event that Moldova has free trade with CIS countries and by the end of 2013 it would sign the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU countries. This means a huge market of consumers and flourishing businesses for companies. The Prime Minister encouraged businessmen to invest in Moldova, to launch new businesses and to contribute to the development of the country. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar told the participants about the newly launched privatizations and about public-private partnership projects, 16 of which will be kicked off soon. US Ambassador William H. Moser said that his country wants a bright future for Moldova and will continue to support its efforts in implementing reforms and developing economy. “The more I learn about Moldova, the more confident I grow that investors will be amazed by the opportunities here”, said the American diplomat. Romanian Ambassador Marius Lazurca said that Moldova has made significant progress in creating a favorable climate for investors. Moreover, the Moldovan businessmen’s interest in the Romanian market is growing as well. Gheorghe Teodorescu, one of the forum participants from Romania, said that he expanded his business by opening an office in Chisinau. “I came to Moldova two weeks before the events of April 2009, and it wasn’t a well-chosen moment for us to expand. After a certain period, we understood that we could still work here. Although the economic situation in the region and in Europe isn’t the best, foreign investors in Moldova didn’t leave, but even more of them came.” The forum is taking place on November 8 and 9.