The Republic of Moldova saw positive developments in its business sector. Since 2013 until now, the position in the World Bank rankings Doing Business has improved twice. The number of inspection bodies and of permissive documents needed to start a business was reduced and the reporting burden on enterprises decreased. However, 60% of the businessmen still believe that the unofficial ways are the swiftest and safest methods of solving business problems.
These are the results of a study conducted by experts of the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul” Ion Tabirta and Veaceslav Ionita. According to the authors, 70% of the respondents said corruption is widespread in the state bodies and affects their businesses, while the integrity of functionaries leaves to be desired.
The study says the central and local public authorities, when they do reforms to improve the business climate, should ponder over the impact and should not focus only on their quantity and quality. Otherwise, the taken actions look formal and are not felt by a large part of the businessmen. “The foreign direct investment per capita in Moldova is of €66, which is much lower than the average for the countries of the region, which is of €145,” said Veaceslav Ionita.
The study recommends to further improve the legislation on entrepreneurship so as to avoid double interpretations, to offer state support to businesses with growth potential and to particular categories of enterprises, like those launched by young people and women, to improve the regulations on energy and on public-private partnership, to de-bureaucratize the business liquidation procedure, to develop the financial market and to promote mediation and arbitration as alternatives to court trials.
