In the Republic of Moldova, there are absolutely all the preconditions to properly develop online trading. This is possible because Moldova has broadband Internet service coverage, well-developed infrastructure and good bases for training IT specialists, Prime Minister Pavel Filip said in the opening of a forum dedicated to online trading on June 22.

The Premier noted that online trading gains ground in the Republic of Moldova and the Government will continue to take measures to facilitate its development. “The people now do not have time to go to the market or the shop and start to make purchases online and those who produce should devote attention to this aspect. To have access to a big market, one should have access to online trading,” stated Pavel Filip.

He also said that a series of changes were made to the Law on Online Trading to adjust it to the realities and needs. The development of the information technology sector is fostered through the national strategy “Digital Moldova 2020” and the Law on IT Parks.

It should be noted that according to the National Bank of Moldova, at the end of September 2016 the banks reported 1.46 million available bank cards. In 2015, the same source indicated 1.29 million bank cards. The number is on the rise, but owners use the card mainly to withdraw cash. In the third quarter of last year, the Moldovans withdrew over 9.3 billion lei from ATMs. In the period, the payments made with cards came to 796 million lei.

Experts warn about the insufficient infrastructure of the electronic payments system. Economist Dumitru Pantea at the start of this year told IPN that there are enough ATMs in Chisinau, but in districts these are few in number, while in villages there are no such machines. Thus, the population has to withdraw money from ATMs when they get to such a machine.

The forum dedicated to online trading was organized by the Moldova Business People Association and SalesZone. The event brought together over 400 entrepreneurs and young people who are fond of IT.