Some 30 business associations undersign 2009 National Business Agenda

At least 30 associations joining Moldovan businesspeople have undersigned the the 2009 National Business Agenda, launched on October 23, at a conference titled “The National Business Agenda: the list of business challenges and opportunities in Moldova." The National Agenda is a joint platform of priorities, worded by the business environment, for the economic development of Moldova. Over 30 business associations, both national and regional, have participated in establishing those priorities. The Business Agenda is an efficient tool to strengthen the business community, and also a serious basis to support the public-private dialogue, to improve horizontal communication within the this community, so as to make the legal decisions mirror the real expectations of the business environment, said managers at the reunion. The strengthening and promoting process in Moldova has been facilitated IDIS Viitorul think tank, with the backup of the US International Center for Private Initiative. “I am fully confident in the energy of the private initiative, which can re-build Moldova's economy on a genuine joint platform and on a long-term view of the country's development defined through the interest of its citizens to create new jobs, to stimulate the economic growth, to enhance competitiveness and modernize the Moldovan business in harmony with our aspirations of European integration,” said IDIS Viitorul's executive manager Igor Munteanu. “Since the very beginning we have actively participated in developing this agenda containing many problems we're concerned with,” Grigore Popa, the general director of the Federation of Employers of Builders and Building Materials Producers has told Info-Prim Neo. “Speaking about problems, the tax law clearly states no other documents can provide for taxes and compulsory payments for companies, but every now and then the non-tax legislation (regulations adopted by the Government and other entities) one can find taxes and payments, which are nothing but hidden taxes. We insisted to include this issue into the Agenda.” Another issue is the professional training, Grigore Popa said. In his opinion special committees should be set up in every branch, so that the companies may participate participate in developing the professional training curricula. The curricula are outdated. The technology has changed. We have already done much in this respect.” Another issue, not having found its place in the agenda, is the development of infrastructure, and this means not only roads, Grigore Popa says. The National Business Agenda establishes 5 priorities and objectives to be realized the coming 5 years to develop competitive and attractive business environment by reducing administrative barriers and ensuring a healthy competitive environment, by bettering the tax system, promoting foreign investment; consolidating law-applying institutions, efficiently developing and using the human capital.