A number of 120 economic entities implemented ISO international quality standards and obtained the ISO certificate during 33 months, benefiting from grants within the WB's Competitiveness Enhancement Project. The co-financing component, under which 50% of the ISO implementation and certification costs incurred by the companies were covered by the project, but not more than US$10,000 per company, was managed by the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), which was selected by the World Bank by contest, Info-Prim Neo reports. The Chamber's president Gheorghe Cucu said that the CTI selected 231 economic entities that wanted to participate in the project. But 111 of them did not implement the required standards till the end as they did not have possibilities and financial resources to upgrade their labor skills and management practices. As a part of the resources of the project remained unused, the Chamber asked the World Bank to extend the co-financing component for another 20 months. Thus, another 40 companies will benefit from financial assistance in implementing ISO standards. “We proposed that the companies be also assisted in formulating viable business plans and carrying out marketing research. This will enable the beneficiary companies to simultaneously identity possible markets and partners and attract foreign investments to develop their businesses,” Cucu said. Info-Prim Neo reported earlier that a part of the additional financing of US$22.5 million for the Moldova Competitiveness Enhancement Project will be used to provide consulting services in formulating business plans that the companies could present to the banks where there will be opened credit lines.