List of assets that cannot be privatized to be significantly reduced

Only four of the tens of enterprises and joint-stock companies under the management of the Ministry of Economy should remain on the proposed list of assets that cannot be privatized. These are Moldovagaz, Moldexpo, Moldtranselectro and Costesti Hydropower Plant, Info-Prim Neo reports. The proposal was discussed at the first session of the newly created workgroup, with representatives of ministers, central public authorities and of the associative sector. The debates’ goal was to update the list and adjust the services offered by the state via these enterprises. The other companies will be denationalized in order to avoid hampering market competition. “We decide to set an example for other institutions”, said the Minister of Economy and Deputy Prime Minister Valeriu Lazar. However, he mentioned that the exclusion of some enterprises from the list of assets that cannot be privatized wouldn’t automatically lead to their denationalization. It should initiate a complex and transparent process. There are many options, including classic privatization. This will be applied where the state has no strategic interest or in sectors where competition is developed enough. The experience of European countries proves the efficiency of modern economic tools like public-private partnerships in domains such as public utilities and other infrastructures. Valeriu Lazar named concessions and fiduciary management among these tools. There were some amendments related to enterprises that would remain under state’s management. They will be organized according to corporative management principles, which mean applying performance indicators in administration, transparency in public acquisitions, publishing activity reports and the personal responsibility of managers and board members. The next sessions of the workgroups are scheduled for May 6 and 11.