Over 2,500 companies receive funding under programmes managed by ODIMM

Chisinau, 17 May /MOLDPRES/- Over 2,500 companies have got funding for 10 years under the programs managed by the Organisation for Small and Medium Enterprises Sector Development (ODIMM), amounting to about 235 million lei. ODIMM director general Iulia Iabanji made the statement at a news conference organized on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the creation.

In this period, over 100,000 citizens living in the country or working abroad have benefitted from programs and projects implemented by ODIMM. “Nine business incubators were created in the country’s districts, and two more will be inaugurated this year in Calarasi and Cahul. As a result, over 3,700 jobs were created”, Iabanji said.

Attending the event, Deputy Economics Minister Vitalie Iurcu said he appreciated ODIMM achievements got during 10 years. “Hundreds of citizens have benefitted during these years from the organisation’s support. We hope to implement other programs in the future that will bring us success in the country’s economy and create better working conditions for citizens”, Iurcu said.

For his part, Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola said that due to ODIMM, important achievements for our country have been got. “This sector is a very active one, without which Moldova could not modernize. Thus, during all these years, we have seen a joint effort of entrepreneurs, government and foreign partners, thanks to which very important programs have been implemented. I reiterate that EU support for ODIMM is a lasting one, we will continue to offer our support through direct funding of the organization, as the small and medium-sized enterprises make an enormous contribution to the country’s economy”, Tapiola said.

In the context, World Bank Country Manager for Moldova Alexander Kremer noted that Moldova’s future belongs to the private sector, so foreign partners have great confidence in the ODIMM potential. “It is very important to focus on the development of the private sector. ODIMM’s role is extremely important in recovery inefficient models and improving the business environment. The World Bank will further back the organization in implementing the programs and expanding the range of services”, Kremer said.

ODIMM was created 10 years ago by the Economics Ministry as a public nonprofit organization for self-management. Among the most important national programs managed by the organization are: PARE 1+1, Program on Attracting Remittances into the Economy, Credit Guarantee Fund and Youth Economic Rehabilitation Program.

(Reporter A. Plitoc, editor L. Alcază)