Moldova misses investments as it does not promote its image abroad

The participants in the European Union – Moldova Forum recommended the Moldovan authorities to devote greater attention to the promotion of the country’s image abroad, Info-Prim Neo reports. “We had a worse impression of Moldova at home as I spoke with somebody from here and the presented picture was bleak. But I came to Chisinau and changed my opinion,” said Luc Engelen, of CEO Euromol, Belgium. The participants in the forum said many potential investors that can extend their operations into Moldova know nothing about the investment opportunities here and the possible risks and advantages. Gunar Due Gundessen, Entranse project director from Norway, stressed the necessity of providing exhaustive information about the particularities of the investment and business climate. “When I decided to come to Moldova to create a business incubator in Soroca, everyone told me to take specialists and consultants with me, but I came alone and found here qualified personnel who quickly repaired a large budding that houses the incubator. The manager of the business incubator is also Moldovan,” he said. Moldova has human resources and skilled workers. It provides conditions for developing competitive businesses. Effort should be made so that the companies implement European production and sale standards. The coming of European investors to Moldova would hasten this process, added Gunar Due Gundessen. Silvia Radu, president of RED Union Fenosa, also believes that there possibilities for implementing important investment projects in Moldova. She said that Union Fenosa is a success story. “The last 2-3 years were marked by political instability that probably prevented the investors from coming to Moldova. But this forum showed that there is political will to reform the country and ensure a favorable investment climate,” she stated. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar said Moldova expects investments in such areas as information technology, transport, logistics and industry. The Moldovan authorities intend to develop the industrial parks so as to increase the attractiveness of the industrial sector. “We aim to attract investments in order to change the quality of the economic growth in Moldova, which is now based on remittances and consumption. We plan to establish an economic model based on investments and larger exports,” said the minister. Alex Munteanu, who has attracted private investments to modernize a number of companies in Moldova, said that the country has changed. “It is not as 10 years ago. But we should make the changes happen faster. The Government is ready to provide assistance. I think we should ensure conditions for attracting large companies that can create many workplaces so that our specialists do not go abroad to work,” he said. The EU – Moldova Forum took place in Chisinau on March 29-31. It was organized by the Chisinau Foreign Policy Association and the Institute for Eastern Studies of Warsaw. The event brought together important businessmen, politicians and diplomats from Moldova and abroad.