Exodus of specialists and piracy are most serious problems of IT sector, report

The exodus of specialists and piracy are the factors that can inhibit the development of the IT sector in Moldova. The Government should suggest a set of measures aimed at solving these problems, recommend authors of the study “Assessment of Competitiveness of the IT Industry in Moldova” that was presented on November 10, Info-Prim Neo reports. “Piracy is a very negative phenomenon. The piracy rate in Moldova is now 90%, as in Romania seven years ago. A large number of IT specialists emigrated from Moldova to other countries during the last few years. But other countries of the region experience the same problem given that the demand for such specialists is now higher than ever. Under such conditions, the Government must create an appropriate working environment so as to stop the exodus of IT specialists,” said Madalin Lazarescu, one of the authors of the study. Madalin Lazarescu said the specialists’ training level has worsened during the last 6-7 years, while the companies operating in the field face problems in offering better skills to their employees. “Many companies have an IT administrator or director who has only a technical post and does not have knowledge of business and marketing and management abilities. Thus, those who want to promote a certain product on the market do not have an interlocutor and cannot come to an agreement to present their services,” said Madalin Lazarescu. He also said that the purchasing power in Moldova is rather low and this fact limits the consumption of IT products. The tax concessions granted to IT companies do not have the projected effect, while the universities’ offer does not meet employers’ necessities. The study shows that the Internet develops mainly in Chisinau and there are places where large investments are needed in networks. The study “Assessment of Competitiveness of the IT Industry in Moldova” was made by IDC Romania, a branch of ICD – a world leader in information and telecommunication technology - with financial support from USAID.