More than 200 Moldovan companies have implemented the international quality management system ISO and obtained quality management certificates since 2006 until present, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to the Ministry of Economy and Trade, some of these companies have put into practice by two-three quality systems. For instance, the state-owned company Quality Wine Complex Milestii Mici SA was certified and implemented the international quality management system ISO 2001 and the quality management system for the food industry. Orhei-Vit SA did the same. There are companies that obtained and implemented the ISO certificate for service provision. Deputy Economy Minister Iurie Muntean said that only 80 companies had the ISO international certificate in Moldova in 2006. “More and more companies invest money to obtain and implement the ISO international certificate as well as other internationally recognized quality systems. This is due to the reorientation of the Moldovan exports to the EU markets, where the ISO certificate is a visiting card of the companies. Besides, the state shares the risks related to the implementation and certification of the ISO system, covering 50% of the expenses,” the deputy minister said. About 150 companies will be certified and will implement the ISO quality management system as part of the World Bank Competitiveness Enhancement Project alone. These companies will recover half of their investment (up to 10,000 dollars). Other projects are also being implemented. Muntean also said that a national strategy for improving competitiveness will be worked out in 2009. It will be based on the best international practices like those used in Japan, Singapore and other countries, taking into account the specific features of Moldova and the accomplishments of the national companies in the area. The strategy will be devised by the Competitiveness and Productivity Center, which is subordinated to the Economy Ministry and licensed by it. The procedures for implementing this strategy will be similar to those set for ISO.