The potential of business development services providers must be realized. For the purpose, the area should be regulated and a competent association should be set up. This is the main conclusion of the study of the Market of Business Development Services on both banks of the Nistru River, which was carried out by the NGO “International Development Alternatives” in cooperation with the Transnistrian NGO “Novyi Vek”, IPN reports.

According to the study authors, in Moldova there are over 800 providers of business consultancy services, about 200 of which are active. Twelve such entities work on the left side of the Nistru, but their services are mainly limited to accounting and legislation.

Co-author Olga Sainciuc said the business development services providers are a ring of the chain without which the development of a business is very difficult. “It’s not hard to register a business, but it’s much more difficult to manage it. The small companies do not have financial possibilities to employ marketing specialists, jurists and other necessary specialists. That’s why these enterprises should be offered access to qualified external consultancy services,” she stated.

The study also says that the supply of the business development services providers does not fully meet the demand. The entrepreneurs need consultancy in using the benefits of the free trade regime with the EU and in promoting their products on new markets, but the providers do not have relevant potential to satisfy the demand. The lack of a clear mechanism for certifying business development services providers and their dependence on the financing of external donors are among the difficulties signaled in the study.

According to the experts, the creation of an association of business development services providers, including those from Transnistria, would be a solution. This could become a bridge between the business communities from both sides of the Nistru and a cooperation platform that would contribute to experience exchange and establishment of contacts.

The study was carried out between September 2015 and March 2016 with the financial support of the EU through the Support to Confidence Building Measures Program that is implemented by UNDP.