Moldova should realize its economic potential and not count on foreign assistance for development too much, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar said, referring to the conclusions of the recent IMF mission to Moldova that were published on the website of the IMF Representative Office in Chisinau, Info-Prim Neo reports. “We must understand that fewer and fewer foreign grants will be given to Moldova. The donors will more rigorously examine the issue of providing assistance for development. The grants will be directed to countries that do not have potential. The IMF mission considers that Moldova has enough own potential to develop and I agree with this and I’m even glad,” Valeriu Lazar told the press in an informal discussion. According to him, the rigorous setting of priorities and the good management of resources are the preconditions for good development in the medium and long term. ”The IMF said: You have money. You must extend your own fiscal area and will then have sufficient resources for financing what you need,” stated the Deputy Prime Minister. He also said that the most serious challenges to Moldova’s economy are the substantial improvement of the fiscal and customs administration and the reduction in spending by about 1 billion lei. “These objectives seem simple, but should be implemented very attentively. We must not reduce the money spent on investment and infrastructure projects that ensure the economy’s development and the creation of new workplaces. The changes to the fiscal polices should be instituted gradually, based on broad public consultations.” Valeriu Lazar reiterated the necessity of extending the list of facilities that are to be privatized, including such large companies as AIR Moldova and Tutun CTC, and of decreasing the number of state-run companies in which he state owns holdings.