“The competitiveness of small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) depends to a great extent on their capacity to implement innovations in production, to launch new, high quality products. This becomes increasingly important as competition on the market becomes increasingly intenser”, stated Prime Minister Vlad Filat at the opening of an international conference on SMEs Thursday, May 27, Info-Prim Neo reports. Themed “Innovations. Modernization. Advanced Management”, the conference is the flagship event of the 10th SMEs Forum. Vlad Filat said the SMEs' capacities to absorb innovations can be improved through intenser cooperation between universities and the business circles. “The Government will develop the necessary legal framework for the stimulation of such cooperation, will remove barriers to business development, will identify possibilities to improve access to financing for the domestic producers”, promised the prime minister. World Bank Country Manager for Moldova Melanie Marlett said the WB has supported the SME sector in the country, notably enterprises in rural areas through the RIPS 1 and RIPS 2 programs, which helped to start 1,700 new business and create 7,000 jobs. Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Dirk Schuebel spoke of the importance of this sector for the development of any economy. The SMEs are flexible and capable of adapting themselves to the needs of the market, said the ambassador. The conference has brought together 250 SME representatives, officials from the central and local authorities. The program includes discussions on SME infrastructure, entrepreneurial culture and social responsibilities, public-private partnerships and better access to financing.