Moldovan Chamber of Commerce to further provide practical support necessary to develop companies

Chisinau, 22 September /MOLDPRES/ - Interview given to Moldpres news agency by the head of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Valeriu Lazar

[Moldpres]: The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) is an important pillar to boost and develop entrepreneurship. Which are present activities, which contribute to back Moldovan businessmen?

[Lazar]: On one hand, CCI’s mission is to provide support to develop enterprises and, on the other hand, to represent economic agents in relationship with public authorities. At central level, the communication system works, CCI taking part in cabinet meetings, meeting of the Economic Council to the Prime Minister and colleges of more ministries. At the same time, we also actively communicate with economic agents, including via three sector committees for entrepreneurship in the following areas: services, agriculture and industry. These committees, created by CCI as consultative bodies, also ensure a constructive dialogue between business and public authorities.

But, our activity does not limit at central level. Thus, presently, we set cooperation ties with the new administration of district councils too. We have already signed cooperation agreements with heads of districts of Causeni, Stefan Voda, Riscani, Falesti and Glodeni, which will be followed by others. By signing these accords, we were set to efficiently develop CCI’s legal mandate and to strengthen the public-private dialogue framework, to contribute to sustainable economic development by representing, promoting and supporting interests of business in relationship with public authorities, as well as to cooperate in order to implement different economic projects, including by attracting foreign investors into priority projects, developing SMEs, in partnership with national organisations in the area, such as MIEPO and ODIMM.

These agreements fit into the string of activities carried out by CCI, which contribute to develop public policies and advocacy activities meant to set a transparent and efficient public-private dialogue, as well as to ensure a favourable business environment to enterprises in the territory, including via the Local Business Agenda (LBA). LBA initiative, launched in cooperation with IDIS Viitorul, materialises finally in concrete benefits not only for residents of the respective district, but also at national level by economic growth and society’s development. As a practical instrument, CCI branches will work in special working groups with economic operators in order to identify and systematise issues these face, to propose solutions at the level of local public administration, as well as the central one.

[Moldpres]: CCI annually organises the Trademark of the Year contest, and, since 2014, it also carries out the contest titled „Prize for Quality Achievements”. Which novelties the contests’ organisers are to provide in 2015?

[Lazar]: The mentioned contests fit into a string of events titled „Made in Moldova”, which include the mentioned exhibition, the mentioned contests and Moldovan Business Gala, during which champions of efficiency in various areas are awarded. These events were integrated into a single concept under the slogan „Competitiveness – performance and quality". The new concept of Trademark of the Year Contest especially encourages small and medium enterprises to develop their own brands, to apply for a dedicated category - „Well-known trademark” and to allow small companies to compete between them.

As to the second contest, the criteria to assess participants were adjusted to the Excellence Model of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM), the jury examining both policies and procedures to ensure quality, and satisfaction of consumers. At the same time, I would like to underline that, starting from 2015, economic agents will be provided with consultancy as to prepare necessary materials to submit applications, and each institution partner in organising the contests will designate by a person trained to provide answers to requests by economic agents. I invite businessmen to submit participation applications till 30 October, in order to contribute together to increase competitiveness of Moldovan enterprises both on local market and the foreign one.

[Moldpres]: You launched the „Polobocul de Aur” (Golden Barrel) Festival in 2015, which will be continuity of the event?

[Lazar]: First of all, I want to remind that CCI has been carrying out the contest for the best home-made wine „Polobocul de aur” since 2002, and the contest evaluated into a festival in 2015. By the event, we were set to promote not only the home-made wine, gastronomic traditions and handicrafts, but also Moldovan tourism objects. In 2016, we will discover another picturesque zone and, on 14 May 2016, we will travel to a location similar to the first issue, which we symbolically named Valea riului Botna (Valley of the Botna river), situated nearby Causeni town. The area, where we invite visitors, has a very important wine-making potential, with long-lasting traditions of cultivating grapes and producing wine, representing a major tourism interest.

The home-made wine and related traditions represent a high potential for developing tourism and householders should be helped to develop hospitality traditions from economic viewpoint. Moreover, by the „Polobocul de aur” contest and festival, CCI wants to inspire householders who produce wine at home to register a business, to follow technological procedures and necessary certification and to enter the organised wine market and tourism one. We count on partnership we have set with agencies and organisations in the area, especially the Association of Small Wine Producers.

[Moldpres]: You highlighted above activities to stimulate entrepreneurship. Which are actions that CCI is to organise in order to professionally train businessmen?

[Lazar]: The professional training and development of new vocational education programmes adjusted to needsof training of companies are among the important goals of CCI, and via more projects we try to train and disseminate good entrepreneurial practices. Presently, the application process for the Moldovan-German programme on increasing qualification of local managers is opened, which provides the business people with possibility to know the German market, to set business ties and to initiate long-term partnerships. This is a good promotion instrument in the foreign trade. Thus, till 31 October, company managers are free to apply for the programme, having the possibility to get into a four-week practice in Germany.

Within another similar Moldovan-Austrian programme, 15 entrepreneurs from 19 Moldovan companies pay a business visit to Vienna on  21 – 25 September They will also participate in a Moldovan-Austrian economic forum. 

CCI also organises training seminars for businessmen within projects which it implements in cooperation and with the financial support of development partners. The chamber also contributes to develop and promote the system of vocational training and dual training system by facilitating experience exchanges and taking over of European practices, including by working out documents to carry out educational process in line with international standards. The increase of knowledge and competences of employees, training of managers within international internships, as well as identifying concrete solutions to business development fit into the general strategy of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Thank you.

(Reporter A. Mardare, Editor M. Jantovan)