Moldovan-Italian business forum tacking place in Chisinau

Italian business people are very interested lately in the business and investment opportunities in the Republic of Moldova, fact that caused the necessity of organizing a Moldovan-Italian business forum starting with Monday, the 26th of June, declared for the press the minister of Economy and Commerce, Valeriu Lazar. According to him, the proof of increased interest towards the Republic of Moldova is the fact that at the forum participate more Italian businessmen than it was expected. “We need investments in all the fields of the economy, that are de-capitalized, but especially we would like to attract investments to the fields where Italian business men have experience, like: primary agriculture, food and processing industry, where investments are needed in order to assure reduced costs for industrial and living spaces” declared Lazar. According to him, tourism could become an attractive domain for Italians, especially regarding road building and selling services related to tourism. Also, for the republic of Moldova, where the commercial potential is focused mainly on Chisinau and Balti, the Italian experience in the field of developing industrial production in the territory, implementing the Italian practice could offer the localities stability in the process of developing, says the minister. “The fact that starting from the first of June the Republic of Moldova will be neighboring the EU determines the Italians, who developed their activities in Romania, to act using the same strategies in the Republic of Moldova as well” declared Lazar. „ The fact that Italians propose not only goods, but investment opportunities also, is very important” said the minister, mentioning the fact that even if Italy is a highly important commercial partner, it isn’t yet one of the biggest investors, this is why, starting with the next year, the situation might radically change. According to the totals of last year, Italy is one of the main foreign commercial partners of the Republic of Moldova, being the second country after the volume of exports and the fourth one – after the volume of imports. Presently, in the Republic of Moldova work about 250 companies on the basis of Italian funds. The consul of the Italian Embassy from Bucharest, Cristiano Gallo, declared during the Economic Forum that Italians believe in the economic perspectives and investment opportunities from the Republic of Moldova. The fact that the entire shares package of „Eximbank”, with the value of 15 million dollars, was bought by Veneto Bank from Italy, shows a positive impact for foreign investments, because, as the diplomat says “the banks go where business opportunities are present.” The Moldovan-Italian business forum, organized by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, has as goal promoting investment opportunities that the Republic of Moldova offers to the potential investors from Italy, as well as familiarizing them with the progresses and potential of the Republic of Moldova in the field of international economic development. The event gathers companies and organizations from both the public and private sector.