Moldovan Economics Ministry forecasts 6.5-per cent- economic growth in 2017

Chisinau, 31 January /MOLDPRES/- The Economics Ministry forecasts economic growth between 3.5 per cent and 6.5 per cent in 2017. Deputy Prime Minister, Economics Minister Octavian Calmic made the statement today.

Calmic noted that the main sectors of national economy, which would influence GDP growth to 6.5 per cent, would be: agriculture, industry, services, net taxes on products and import and gross fixed capital formation. To achieve the set goals, the Economics Ministry has identified 52 key priorities for 2017 related to international economic cooperation, regulation of entrepreneurial activity, investment and competitiveness, small and medium enterprise development, trade, public property management, energy sector etc. “Besides these priorities, there is still a lot of projects, programs of ideas which are to be carried out by us in partnership with development partners, central and local authorities, non-governmental organizations, civil society etc”, he said.

Referring to the priorities on drawing investments and promoting exports, the official pointed out that the ministry set as a priority direct foreign investments amounting to about 250 million dollars or up by 30 per cent against 2016, and the exports of goods should reach over 2 billion 260 million dollars, up by about 10 per cent against the last year. “In 2017, the state will invest in supporting exports and promoting investments nearly 105.7 million lei, including 53.8 million lei from projects funded from foreign sources”, he also said.

Calmic informed that increase in investments would be ensured within the Free Economic Zones by about 86 million dollars or twice more than in 2016, sales – by about 1.3 billion lei, being twice more than in 2016, and number of employees – by about 2,500 persons, up by 61 per cent against the last year.

Another priority area remains the energy sector, in which, following measures due to be taken this year, consumption of energy resources will be reduced by 20 per cent against 2016 and the share of renewable energy will be increased from 14.2 per cent to 15.2 per cent. “In the field of power generation from renewable sources, in 2017 it is expected to mobilize financial resources worth 120-150 million euros to be invested in wind and photovoltaic parks”, he also said. In the context, Calmic noted that in 2017, financial means were to be earmarked for energy efficiency measures and use of renewable energy amounting to 136.2 million lei, including 6.3 million lei from foreign funding sources.

“All these priorities and commitments were elaborated and approved by the Economics Ministry after a thorough analysis of macro- and micro-economic indicators, evolution on domestic, regional and international market. Certainly, their implementation depends on several factors both internal and external, but I am convinced that in collaboration with the government, development partners, civil society, we will manage to meet the goals”, Calmic noted.

(Reporter A. Mardare, editor A. Răileanu)