The economic growth in Moldova in 2012 will be rather modest, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy anticipated. “We are ‘caught’ between two factors, one external and one internal, which led to a slowdown in economic growth,” Valeriu Lazar said in an Info-Prim Neo interview of the series “Year 2012 in Moldova’s and Moldovans”, {which was published on December 14}. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, it is rejoicing that Moldova goes through this crisis much better than in 2008-2009. “These three years of ruling by the Alliance for European Integrating did not pass in vein. The banking sector became stronger, while the companies reorganized themselves as they realized the necessity of diversifying production and improving competitiveness. There is a certain level of satisfaction that we go through this period of crisis much better. But I think we didn’t make enough structural changes so as to reduce our dependence on shocks,” stated Valeriu Lazar. Speaking about the structural changes needed, he said that the barriers to foreign trade, exports and imports must be eliminated. “There is no business in Moldova that is not connected with the export-import operations. That’s why, all the state institutions must work to improve the mechanisms by which these operations are performed, not only the customs,” said the minister. Valeriu Lazar also said that the initiated reforms need resources for being continued. We take money from our development partners and foreign donors. “But we must convince them that we are determined to do the given reforms and to show that the money is spent efficiently. “The fiscal base must be extended not by increasing the fiscal pressure on the economic entities, but by stimulating the appearance of a number o companies that would transfer taxes and contribute to higher budget revenues According to preliminary data, Moldova’s economy in 2012 will grow by 0.3%. The interview with Valeriu Lazar continues the series of 12 Info-Prim Neo interviews “Year 2012 in Moldova’s and Moldovans’ life”. Until now, their opinions about the performance of the passing year were stated by Prime Minister Vlad Filat, the Communist leader Vladimir Voronin, and OSCE Mission Head Jennifer Brush. The next interviews will be with Minister of Justice Oleg Efrim, Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov, and others.