The Democratic Party (PDM) started the election campaign preceding the November 30 parliamentary elections. In a news conference, the party’s leader Marian Lupu presented the economic plan of the PDM, which contains five directions aimed at increasing the living standards in Moldova, IPN reports.
Marian Lupu said the document stipulates measures to grow the economy that will be implemented simultaneously with the provision of support to farmers and the European development of the Moldovan villages and towns. The measures aim to support the small family businesses and the investment in young people so that they could find a well-paid job at home.
“The steps taken to improve the living standards in Moldova should lead to the return of the hundreds of thousands of Moldovans working aboard. These are mothers, fathers and children whom we want home, in Moldova,” stated Marian Lupu, noting that the PDM’s opponents in this campaign are the regression, crises, conflicts, extremism and violence.
The PDM’s plan proposes “More investments in economy”. According to the Democrats, Moldova can attract €1 billion in foreign investment annually. The party promises benefits for companies employing young people, especially graduates of universities and vocation schools. The state should pay the social insurance contributions for every young employee during three years so as to encourage the employment of young specialists, with work contracts. Up to 12% of companies’ revenues should be exempted from taxes if they invest in research and development.
The second direction is “More for Moldova’s agriculture”. Democratic Deputy Minister of Economy Octavian Calmic said the PDM will support the introduction of the reduced VAT tax of 8% in agriculture and the sector of primary processing of agricultural products. In order to stimulate the investment by young people in agriculture, the PDM will launch the program “Young farmer” that is intended for people younger than 35. Each young person ready to start a business in agriculture will receive a grant of €10,000 for investments.
The third direction is “Development of villages and towns: European infrastructure”. Minister of Transport and Road Infrastructure Vasile Botnari said the PDM’s priority for the next few years is to rehabilitate the local roads, ensuring thus better connection of villages to district centers and the capital city. 1 billion lei should be annually invested in the modernization of local roads. Funds for opening or modernizing nurseries and kindergartens in every settlement and for renovating the maternity hospitals in every district center should be allocated annually from the state budget. The PDM will support the implementation of a state program to create 5,000 playgrounds and health rehabilitation places for children.
The fourth direction is “Support to small family businesses”. Deputy Minister of Economy Tudor Copaci said the PDM suggests exempting any new small or medium-sized company from paying tax on profit during the first three years of work and instituting a common tax for private individuals of 12%. This tax will include all the local taxes, as well as the income tax, and will remain in the local budgets so as to stimulate regional development. Any Moldovan retuning home from abroad who will invest at least €10,000 in a business in the country will receive a grant of minimum €10,000 for additional investments.
The last direction of the economic plan is “Creation of appropriate and well-paid jobs”. The PDM will make sue that the young people are offered private scholarships for studying occupations that are in demand on the labor market. Business advisory centers would be opened for the young people to be able to benefit from advice in the future.
In the ballot, the PDM tops the list of political organizations running in the November 30 legislative elections.
