Moldovan, Swedish officials broach reforms, support, projects

Chisinau, 10 March /MOLDPRES/ - Deputy Prime Minister, Economics Minister Stephane Bride met Swedish Ambassador to Moldova Ingrid Tersman today. The officials discussed the continuation of the support programmes in sustainable energy sector and improving the investment environment, the Economics Ministry’s press service has reported.

After reviewing the results gained within the assistance programmes financed by the Swedish government in 2014, the sides agreed to continue them – on the basis of the Strategy for Sweden's reform cooperation with Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans and Turkey 2014-2020

“We need immediate reforms. I proposed an agenda of direct and open communication with the business environment on all the present platforms, to be closer to entrepreneurs and optimise the reforms under way. I will put emphasis on removing constraints claimed by entrepreneurs and enhancing competitiveness on foreign markets. In this context, continuing the regulatory reform is imperative,” Stephane Bride said.

For her part, Ingrid Tersman backed economics minister's opinion on enhancing the competitiveness of local companies in the context of implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with EU. At the same time, Tersman gave assurances about further support provided to Moldova to implement reforms.

Stephane Bride thanked for the constant assistance provided to Moldova by Sweden, including via the project on building capacities of the Economics Ministry in the energy efficiency sector and renewable energy (2011-2015) with a budget of 2.97 million dollars and investment climate reform project (2012-2015)  with a budget of 3.2 million dollars.

(Reporter A. Mardare, Editor M. Jantovan)