Moldovan speaker, Swedish researchers discuss economic priorities

Chisinau, 8 February /MOLDPRES/-Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu visited the Stockholm School of Economics and the Chamber of Commerce today. The Moldovan official held a string of meetings with the representatives of the institutions, the parliament’s communication and public relations department has reported.

The officials broached the organization and activity of the Chamber of Commerce in relation to the local business environment, types of lobby and promotion services offered to companies, as well as international cooperation.

The Moldovan speaker has also taken notice of the activity of the Sweden Anti-corruption Institute founded in 1923 and functioning with the financial support of the Swedish business environment within the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce until now. Candu has also focused on the functioning of the anticorruption system in the business sector in relation to public authorities and the role it plays to set up interaction rules between companies and public authorities of all levels.

Candu touched upon Moldova’s economic sectors which could possibly develop in the next years, if authorities ensured favourable conditions and legal framework for the business environment. To this effect, Candu said that the initiative on the creation of IT virtual parks, already voted in first reading, is meant to simplify both the taxing mechanism in the sector, as well as remove interaction between business people and the public sector, thus aiming to decrease corruption and abuse risks. “We need a correct justice to boost up foreign investments. We also need to build a mediation and arbitration system to protect the business from potential abuses by the state,” the speaker added.

During the speaker’s meeting with the researchers of the Stockholm School of Economics, the sides examined a string of aspects related to Moldova’s social-economic evolution and enlargement of export markets. They noted that it was important to modernize technological sectors vital for the national economy, promote entrepreneurship and involve young people into Moldova’s sustainable economic development.

The sides have also tackled the Moldovan authorities’ immediate goals to improve the situation in the country, as well as to continue reforms and implement the association agreement. Signing a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is one of Moldova’s priorities, which also needs professional expertise to consolidate its agriculture, financial-banking and energy sectors, but also to fight corruption.

In another context, the researchers of the Stockholm School of Economics said Moldovan students were well-prepared and are among the school’s top graduates. To this effect, Candu said it was necessary to involve young people from the Gagauz autonomy and breakaway Transnistrian region into international programmes available for Moldovan students.

The researchers of the Stockholm School of Economics have also voiced their interest in enlarging partnerships with Moldovan academic and researching institutions.

Moldovan Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu is paying a visit to Sweden on 8-10 February, at the invitation of his Swedish counterpart, Urban Ahlin.

(Editor M. Jantovan)