Moldovan Chamber of Commerce launches mediation centre

Chisinau, 1 December /MOLDPRES/-The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) today launched a centre for mediation to offer economic agents alternative solutions to resolve disputes and litigation in their commercial activity.

During the speech given on this occasion, CCI head Valeriu Lazar emphasized that the purpose of the centre is to provide the Moldovan business environment with an alternative time and cost efficient mechanism to resolve commercial disagreements. “Since new realities generate new challenges and opportunities, the economic activity will inevitably involve disputes or disagreements. Thus, the centre for mediation is meant to help economic agents settle down their disputes faster at minimal costs, as both money, promptness of the solution and integrity of their reputation are important for business people,” Lazar said.

Attending the event was also acting Justice Minister Vladimir Cebotari. He praised the launch of the CCI’s Centre for mediation, adding that it is a tool used by other states as well. According to him, “it may save relations between business partners and help them make money, instead of spending it”.

Ambassador of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland to Moldova Phil Batson had also welcomed the launch. He voiced conviction that mediation played a very important role in business in order to curb corruption and resolve litigation between entrepreneurs. “The implementation of a mediation mechanism will create a win-win situation and Great Britain will back this system in Moldova,” Batson said.

“Our services will help economic agents achieve an amicable, neutral, impartial and confidential settlement of their conflicts. Thus, besides saving time and avoiding the stress caused by court trials, economic agents will be able to influence the results of the dispute. Therefore, the Centre promotes the idea that the business environment is controlling the case,” the head of the centre for mediation, Andrei Balan said.

Balan added that the Centre will also assist sides in the mediation process and will facilitate the resolution of commercial litigation. It will also promote and explain advantages of the mediation among economic agents, and also organise meetings, working sessions, seminars and conferences to examine problems and matters related to mediation.

The Centre for mediation within the Chamber of Commerce and Industry was created in compliance with the decision of the CCI Board of 19.12.2014, with the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. It has been created within a project aimed to reform the justice sector, implemented by the Centre for Efficient Conflict Resolution. It is also part of the Strategy for the reformation of the justice sector, targeting alternative mechanisms to resolve disputes.

(Reporter A. Mardare, Editor A. Raileanu)