Chamber of Commerce and Industry seeks broader authority

“The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) had proposed a series of anti-crisis measures early this year, yet the previous government didn't react in any way to that proposal. So we conducted a number of activities on our own to support the crisis-stricken businesses”, stated CCI president Gheorghe Cucu, while presenting the Chamber's yearly activity report at the CCI Board's annual meeting on Friday, Info-Prim Neo reports. Among those Cucu mentioned the diversification of the exhibition services and intenser promotion for domestic goods and services. Some 120 representatives of Moldovan companies visited agricultural and construction fairs in Turkey, food and farm equipment fairs in Germany, France, and Russia, technology fairs in Poland. As a result, there were concluded protocols and agreements of intent worth about 250 million lei. There was provided a great deal of training for the businessmen, in particular in the field of implementing information technologies in business for cost-cutting purposes. Logistical support was offered with implementing quality standards like ISO and HCCP, with attracting investment and promoting exports. A number of projects carried out with foreign partners, in particular with the Germans, are aiming to restructure the system of vocational education. Speaking of the plans for 2010, Cucu said the Chamber will be engaged in the implementation of the national Program for Economic Stabilization and Revitalization for the years 2009 – 2011. A number of speakers at the meeting, including Prime Minister Vlad Filat, spoke in favor of broader powers for the Chamber. One first step would be the taking over of the Trade Register of Moldovan Companies from the State Registration Chamber, in order to facilitate the access of foreign investors to information about potential partners. Another ability that could be transferred to the CCI is the authority to certificate professionals and provide certificated vocational training, which could to some extent relieve the burden on the budget, which finances vocational education.