Dozens of small traders came together in front of the Government Building to demand that the Cabinet should endorse the initiative that provides for the abolition of the ban on patent-based entrepreneurial activity starting with 2017. A similar protest was staged last week, when representatives of the protesters had a meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Octavian Calmac, who promised that a decision will be taken in ten days, IPN reports.

Eugen Roscovanu, president of the Small Business Association of Moldova, said that after the previous protest they talked to the minister of economy, but the dialogue was ineffective. “We were promised a lot, but we saw the negative attitude of the First Deputy Prime Minister. We told him that we are sick and tired of useless discussions and roundtable meetings. For over seven years, we have formulated demands, but haven’t been heard. We don’t think that something will change in ten days,” he stated.

Earlier, the Parliament’s commission on economy, budget and finance voted in favor of abolishing the ban on patent-based entrepreneurial activity starting with 2017. “We consulted MPs, who told us that the Ministry of Economy should also endorse the initiative,” said Eugen Roscovanu.

Last week, the Ministry of Economy said that a number of variants were suggested for simplifying business doing and for replacing patents so that taxation is equitable for everyone.