The Chamber of Commerce and Industry launched on Tuesday, September 19, the “Commercial brand of the year” contest, currently in its 4th edition. Legal persons, entrepreneurs and organizations with various forms of property, producers of merchandise and services on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, are invited to take place in several categories: “Best appearance”, “Fidelity”, “The most known commercial brand”, “Export” and “Internal”. The organizational committee of the contest will also offer the “Excellency” award to contestants of their choice. The committee is made up of marketing scientists, and the results of the contest will be evaluated based on the conclusion of the experts group, as well as a sociologic poll regarding the rating of the commercial brands made amongst consumers. Vice-president of CCI, Stefan Novac declared during a press conference on Tuesday that this year only brands registered in the Republic of Moldova will be allowed to the contest. The competitors must forward a request for participation, and eventually will have to present the materials mentioned on the web page of CCI www.chamber.md or http://marca.chamber.md. The participations requests can be forwarded until the December 15 deadline. According to the organizers, during the last three years the competition had an active support from entrepreneurs. In 2003 there were 68 most famous brands from the Republic of Moldova, and in 2005 there were 115 competitors. Winners of the contest along the 3 years were 132 local commercial brands and 6 brands from abroad, with names like Milestii Mici, Codru, Chisinau, Spicul de Aur, Carmez, Gura Cainarului, Ionel, Covoare Ungheni, Floare Carpet, Floris, Confort, Keramin. The awards ceremony will take place on February 9, during the “Made in Moldova” national exhibition. The winners get the “Golden Mercury” trophy, honorific medals and diplomas. Information about the winners is annually placed in the “Well known Moldovan commercial brands” catalogue, which is distributed to the Chambers of Commerce and Industry from CIS, Baltic countries, business groups, Republic of Moldova diplomatic missions as well as embassies in the Republic of Moldova.