Authorities consider light industry as one of the most dynamic sectors of economy

Central authorities consider that the light industry is one of the most dynamic sectors of Moldovan economy and represent an important factor in the regional development and social stability. The light industry contributed 9.1% of total production in the first six months of the year 2007. The first half of 2006 recorded 6.9%. The share of sales constituted 7.4%, compared to last year’s 7.1%. Currently, the light industry plays an important role in Moldovan economy, ranked in 2006 the second (after food industry) by volume of exports, with a total share of 26.8%. Even though the balance of external trade in 2006 was negative, light industry exports outweigh imports by 28.8%. Exports analysis shows that the activities based on imported raw material outweigh the activities based on local resources. The state counts on increasing industrial output by using local resources in order to export finished production to the markets of the CSI countries, previously lost, as well as on the new European markets. In the period between 2003 and the fifth month of 2007, 41 new businesses with 4.3 thousand workplaces were opened. They represent both private businesses with foreign capital as well as local companies.