The business community in Moldova is disfavored compared with that of the region, for example with Romania’s, in terms of access to European funds. Thus, a part of the Moldovan companies migrate over the Prut in order to enjoy the same benefits as the Romanian businessmen in attracting investment and developing businesses, Minister of Economy Octavian Calmac stated in the launch of the publication “Business Issues Briefs” (2016) that describes the most important problems encountered by Moldovan businesspeople in the process of implementing the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the European Union, IPN reports.
“We approve of the fact that the business community reacted promptly to the challenges of the DCFTA. There is clear evidence that the number of companies that export to the EU is on the rise. The number of products exported to the EU member states has also increased and this makes us hopeful that the estimates about the potential of the DCFTA are realistic and can be achieved,” stated the minister.
Octavian Calmac noted that the discrepancy existing in the attraction of European funds should be addressed and Moldova is ready to deal with all the challenges that exist in the reform process and in the process of implementing the legislation. He assured that the business environment of Moldova will be improved, with access to financing between the key problem. The banking sector of Moldova is not yet ready for the multitude of national and international surveillances, while a part of the donors are willing to support the business sector.
In the same connection, EU Ambassador in Chisinau Pirkka Tapiola, honorific president of the European Business Association, said the DCFTA is the best thing that happened to Moldova during the last few years, but its benefits cannot be fully felt owing to a number of problems existing in the Republic of Moldova. The problems are related to the political stability and predictability of the political framework, macroeconomic stability, infrastructure, etc. The reforms in the banking sector should go on, while the authorities should find a mechanism by which to motivate the migrants to return home and to use remittances to start businesses, not only for consumption. The country’s economic development is fundamental for the purpose and this process is based on the preeminence of the law.
The diplomat noted that the goal of the EU is to support the Moldovan authorities to develop a society with high living standards, while the DCFTA, which is one of the kind in the region, provides the best European practices and experiences for developing a modern society.
For his part, Head of Unit at the European Commission Petros Sourmelis said Moldova’s DCFTA with the EU is regarded in Brussels as a mechanism for reform, not as mercantile free trade instrument. “We want to maintain the EU support for the economic development of the Republic of Moldova and I say it openly that we, those from Brussels, believe that the activity of a number of state agencies in Moldova can be better,” he stated, noting that the banking crisis hinders the SMEs’ access to EU funds.
