In the Republic of Moldova, no reform had a logical ending. “The reforms are implemented until a particular stage and are then put off and chaos is created as a result,” stated Doctor of Economy Galina Șelari, director of the Center for Strategic Studies and Reforms.
In IPN’s public debate “Why does modernization of the economy stall?”, she gave a series of examples. “No private pension funds appeared because the privatization program hasn’t been implemented till the end. The education and health sector reforms weren’t successful as, at a certain moment, we started to look at these important areas, through the angle of the costs that we can or cannot cover,” she stated.
To change the situation, the country should focus on a long-term development strategy. “We need a common approach that would enable us to formulate the main positions and the communities of experts in such an issue should complement each other,” said Galina Șelari.
According to her, the Moldova – EU Association Agreement can represent the basis for the development stagey. “But this Agreement should not be transposed blindly. We should understand what and how we can implement. There is the massive EU support that is designed to help the country create its own sources of income, not only to benefit from the advantages of the associated partnership. It must also fulfill its duties.”
Galina Șelari noted the fact that some of the political decisions are detrimental to the economy “is not our problem”. “A turning point came when the world tries to redefine itself. It is not for the first time that the conception of leadership is modified. So, when politics comes first and economy second, this is not our exclusive problem,” stated the economist.
“A real problem for the economy is the fact that we look for those to blame. As a result, foreign direct investment stopped to come. As a matter of fact, to become an interesting foreign partner, we should not cry over spilled milk. We must only change the country’s image.”
The public debate “Why does modernization of the economy stall?” forms part of the series “Overcoming European integration stereotypes through communication” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
