Fewer investments than last year, Ministry of Economy

This year’s investment flow will be smaller due to the economic crisis. “There is a global decrease in the level of investments, and our position makes us believe that this year’s investment flow will shrink”, stated deputy Minister of Economy Sergiu Ciobanu on Thursday, at the Global Investment Report presentation, Info-Prim Neo reports. The Ministry of Economy intends to launch several reforms, even some structural ones, in order to increase Moldova’s competition level. “During a crisis, many invest in countries with competitive advantages”, said Sergiu Ciobanu. Additionally, the Ministry of Economy is searching of a new mechanism to facilitate AVT payments for foreign investors that want produce here, and afterwards export. Sergiu Ciobanu said that this project might be included in the fiscal-budgetary policy for 2013. “What matters is that the investors feel that the financial climate in Moldova is favorable, property rights are respected, and there’s a just judicial system”, added the deputy Minister. According to the 2012 Global Investment Report, presented at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows rose with 16% in 2011, overcoming for the first time the pre-crisis level from years 2005-2007. The report mentions that the return of economic uncertainty and the possible smaller growth rates on major energy markets may result in lower FDI for 2012. In 2011, investments to Moldova registered a 35% increase relative to 2010.