Business associations ask future MPs to support National Business Program 2009

The business associations of Moldova ask the political parties running in the parliamentary elections to support the National Business Program 2009 – a program of measures aimed at creating a competitive and attractive business environment, Info-Prim Neo reports. The measures included in the National Business Program have been debated during a year at meetings held under the aegis of the Institute for Development and Social Initiative IDIS “Viitorul” with representatives of 27 business associations working in different areas of the economy in Chisinau and other parts of the country (55% of the existing ones). The Institute formulated the final text of the National Business Program that includes 32 measures in five key areas: reduction in administrative barriers, stopping of state interventions in the economy and creation of a healthy and competitive business environment, optimization of the tax system, promotion of foreign investments, strengthening of the law enforcement institutions, development and efficient use of the human capital. At a roundtable meeting attended by representatives of six business associations and four political parties, [Adrian Axenti, of the National Employers Confederation of Moldova], said that the employers supported the idea of formulating such a document from the very beginning as it was certain that its implementation will stimulate the development of businesses, regardless of the economic sectors where they work. Axenti also said that a number of the proposals were submitted through the tripartite Commission for Social Dialogue and they are not being implemented. Some of the proposals were not accepted, but he voiced hope that the new government would back them. Praising the idea of formulating the National Business Program, [Mihai Manole, president of the Union of Insurers], said that the document contains measures that hold interest for the insurers, as for instance the liberalization of the mandatory health insurance, as well as problems of general interest like the improvement of the fiscal administration. According to him, the fiscal legislation in Moldova meets the accepted international standards, but the fiscal administration continues to cause problems to businesses. [Grigore Popa, director of the Employers Federation of Builders, Road Workers and Producers of Building Materials "Condrumat"], said that the business program addresses also problems faced in the construction sector like: the outdated normative basis, inappropriate professional training of the constriction workers, and shortage of work. “The Union of Carriers and Road Workers pays special attention to the social dialogue, but many of its proposals do not reach the government, while the access to the parliamentary commissions, where the business associations could provide additional arguments, is restricted. We ask the MPs-to-be to ensure our access,” said [Eugen Datco, of the Union of Carriers and Road Workers]. The National Business Agenda 2009 express the business people’s wish to work in concert and solve acute problems. The political parties that will enter the future Parliament should also join forces when tackling problems related to business development. The well-developed businesses are an impetus in any country, said [Alexandru Slusari, of the National Union of Agricultural Producers Associations “Uniagroprotect”]. [Vasile Marzenco, of the National Farmers Federation of Moldova], called on the future MPs to identify a method for supporting the business associations empowered to correctly inform and transmit the opinions of their members to the government institutions. The representatives of the four parties that accepted to take part in the roundtable meeting – the PLDM, PL, PDM and UCM – shared the opinion that only a permanent dialogue between the government and the civil society can help solve the problems existing in the economy and the social sphere and prevent possible tense situations. [Vlad Filat, president of the Liberal Democratic Party (PLDM)], said that persons form the real sector of the economy that know what the price of certain business regulations is should form part of the state administration so that the measures stipulated in the National Business Program 2009 could be implemented. The Moldovan society is divided into several segments that do not communicate between them, considers [the vice president of the Democratic Party (PDM) Oazu Nantoi]. He said that the government should be receptive to the problems faced by the businessmen: coherent development framework, non-admission of state interference in business, independence of the legal system. He voiced hope that on April 5 the business associations will vote for receptive candidates. [Veaceslav Afanasiev, of the Centrist Union (UCM)], said that the National Business Program 2009 aims to use the human capital, stressing that the 32 measures of the Program are a platform for discussions between the businesses and the government, the parliament and the central bank. The representative of the Liberal Party Mariana Ambros,] said that the measures stipulated in the Program should be supported and that the PL will pay special attention to them. The National Business Program 2009, which is the first of the kind in Moldova, was devised by IDIS “Viitorul” with the support of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE).