The improvement of the regulations with the aim of increasing competitiveness in the information and communication technologies sector is discussed at a two-day workshop organized by the World Bank's Global ICT Department in collaboration with IDA Singapore, IE Singapore and the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications of Moldova, Info-Prim Neo reports. The workshop provides a platform for engaged dialogue on the role of ICT in the public sector transformation agenda, and on how Singapore's success in e-Government via close collaboration with the private sector might translate to Moldova. World Bank Country Manager for Moldova Melanie Marlett said the ICT can play a strategic role in nation building, public administration, and service delivery to citizens and businesses. Currently, the ICT services account for 10% of Moldova's GDP, which shows that the use of these resources can be developed. She voiced hope that Singapore's successful experience in e-Government accumulated during the last 30 years and the cooperation between the state and the private sector in this field will stimulate the transformation and modernization of the public sector in Moldova. Prime Minister Vlad Filat said the Government will play a proactive role and will widely use the ICT to improve the business environment, strengthen and modernize the dialogue between the public and the private sector, with the civil society. He also said that the zero tax on ICT services will be preserved in 2010 so as to encourage them to develop. Alexandru Machedon, director of the company Starnet, welcomed the initiated dialogue between the Government and the ICT companies. “This dialogue with the previous Government was very difficult. Practically nothing was done to demonopolize this sector. Besides, some of the companies were protected and the competition on the market was unfair. We hope that the doors now will open and we will sincerely discuss the accoutered problems. Many social projects can be implemented by establishing partnerships between the public institutions and the private companies,” Machedon said.