Moldovan economics ministry suggests patent holders turn into entrepreneurs

Chisinau, 23 July /MOLDPRES/ – The Economics Ministry proposes patent holders to register as individual entrepreneurs who would benefit from simplified accounting and would pay a 2 or 3 percent revenue tax. These proposals were launched at public debates on entrepreneurial patent in domestic trade sector, organized by the Economics Ministry on 22 July. 

"We are the only country, including of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states, to preserve patents, which represented a temporary transition solution when Moldova was in the crisis of 1990s. Now, this stage has been overcome. We have lots of modern proposals. This instrument has not been modernized in the last 20 years and pulls back the Moldovan economy," said Deputy Prime Minister, Economics Minister Octavian Calmic. 

The minister added that authorities suggest the patent holders to register as individual entrepreneurs. "That would allow them to increase turnover up to 600 thousand lei, to import without payment of customs duties and be able to commercialize these products, provided that they have necessary quality certificates and be issued payment vouchers, so that, when a product is adulterated, the buyer can return it,"  said Octavian Calmic. 

The minister promised that, on 27 July, he would propose, at the cabinet meeting, a note, thereby putting forward an alternative, fairer and more advantageous solution for patent holders. The government "will decide what to do, as there are other institutions involved too."  

Small Business Association representatives, who came to debates, left the room before listening to proposals by the Economics Ministry.

Presently, 12,000 people operate based on patent in the trade sector in Moldova. 

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor L. Alcaza)