Events

The event discussed instruments to support, develop and internationalise Moldovan SMEs, as well as possibilities to strengthen the dialogue between business, central and local public authorities and development partners.

Pavel Filip, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova said that the Government aims to create a regulatory framework that is as favourable as possible to entrepreneurs. In this respect, an important instrument for reform policies is the Association Agreement with the EU and the Agreement. de Free Trade Deep and Comprehensive, signed in June 2014.

“This agreement has led to the approval of a very ambitious, multilateral roadmap for reforming state policies, including the development of the regulatory framework for Moldovan SMEs. As the sector is still young and fragile, it needs a lot of state support and care through regulatory, institutional and fiscal stimulus policies,” the Premier added.

Pirkka Tapiola, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Moldova, mentioned that the number of entrepreneurs present at the event is a clear indicator that the country not only needs but also has a very high potential to implement reforms in the economy so as to increase the level of development.

“Even though Moldova is not yet a member of the European Union, through the Association Agreement we have committed to support activities that lead to the prosperity and growth of the neighbouring countries, in particular to support instruments of cooperation between the public and private sectors at national, regional and local level, as well as linking the business sector with the education system,” added Pirkka Tapiola.

According to Vitalie Iurcu, Deputy Minister for the Economy, the development of the SME sector is one of the key priorities set out in the Government’s Action Plan for 2016-2018. In this context, the new Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Act (No 179 of 21.7.2016) has been drawn up and adopted by Parliament and will enter into force on 16 December this year. This law provides for a series of measures aimed at simplifying the procedures for registering and winding up businesses, optimising the procedure for obtaining permissive acts by 25 percent, facilitating reporting processes, as well as saving SME resources through the introduction of the electronic one-stop-shop.

Iulia Iabanji, Director-General of ODIMM, said that small and medium-sized enterprises are a key driver for economic growth, innovation, employment and social integration.

“The new legislative improvements, which will soon enter into force, are a pleasant melody at the ears of entrepreneurs. However, the dismantling of bureaucratic barriers, the facilitation of internationalisation tools as well as the strengthening of support organisations are the main grievances we hear from our beneficiaries,” said Yulia Iabanji.

According to the Director-General of ODIMM, internationalisation is a key element of the market economy, economic freedom, when entrepreneurs transcend geographical boundaries in their search for economic benefits.

During Panel II of the Conference, entrepreneurs had the opportunity to interact, in Open Space format, with representatives of support institutions present as partners of the Conference: Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Development Organisation (ODSME), Eba Export Assist Service, Horizon 2020, Energy Efficiency Agency (EAA), Vote on Innovative Business for Sustainable Growth at local level, EU Project “Technical Assistance for the Implementation of the DCFTA, Moldavian Livada Horticultural Restructuring Programme, Competitiveness Improvement Project (PAC II), EBRD Small Business Advisory Programme (ASB), Moldova Competitive Agriculture Project (MACP), Moldova Investment and Export Promotion Organisation (MIEPO), Rural Inclusive Economic and Climate Resilience Programme (IFAD), Agricultural Intervention and Payments Agency (AIPA), RM Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI).

At the same time, the current edition of the Conference launched the initiative to boost local investment processes aimed at supporting youth-led start-ups and to highlight the entrepreneurial potential of regions. As a result, 3 young entrepreneurs have invited to present their investment projects in order to collect the necessary funds for their implementation.

The award ceremony of the winners of the National Competition “Best Entrepreneur in the SME Sector” and the Competition “SME – Social Responsibility Model” also took place at the event.

Some 50 thousand small and medium-sized enterprises are registered in the Republic of Moldova. In order to facilitate access to the European market for Moldovan goods, the European Union and the Republic of Moldova signed the RM-EU Association Agreement in 2014. The Agreement introduces a preferential trade regime – the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA).