Moldovan PM advocates switch from investments in labour to investments in grey matter

Chisinau, 29 May /MOLDPRES/ - Investment opportunities, achievements, as well as challenges faced by the automotive industry from Moldova were discussed at the forum, Moldova Automotive Days 2018, today. The event, which is at its second issue, brought together over 300 potential foreign investors from the automotive sector, producers and suppliers from the machine-building industry, development partners and students from engineering faculties, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.        

Prime Minister Pavel Filip has said that, in the last years, the automotive sector became one of the most dynamic industries, with renowned international players who chose Moldova to extent their business. Thus, in 2017, the industrial production in the sector increased by 43 per cent and the exports – by 37 per cent. At the same time, the investments volume exceeded 430 million dollars.    

“This sector can set going, in the direct and figurative senses, the entire economy. In the last year, the sector had about 10,000 employees. At present, we speak about 15,000 people working in this sector, 15,000 people who have not left the country, 15,000 families who are together every day. And this is the most important thing for us,” Pavel Filip said.   

Referring to the training of specialists in the field, the PM highlighted the benefits of the dual education. Out of those 700 young people learning their trade directly at the factory, 100 are in the automotive sector. Pavel Filip welcomed the organization of the fair of jobs in the auto sector and encouraged young people to choose this sector for a successful career. “We want us to switch from investments in labour force to investments in grey matter, i.e. from the assembling of auto components to research & development and IT. We have professionals in Moldova, young people with lighted minds and abilities to be creative,” Pavel Filip said.     

The prime minister showed proud of Moldovan engineers designing auto components for luxury cars. He said that the mechanical engineering was growing and is to be added to the types of activities enjoying facilities within IT parks. Also, the PM touched upon actions undertaken by the cabinet to stimulate investments and showed openness for continuing the dialogue to multiply the results recorded in the automotive industry, including on the platform of the Economic Council.    

“The automotive industry is at the intersection of three elements: labour force, investments and technologies. We thank you for helping us here, at home, to connect them, so as to move the country forward. I want that, one day, we look at the map of investments from the country and see big corporations there, with factories and centres opened in Moldova,” the prime minister said.   

Attending the event, Ambassador of Japan to Moldova Masanobu Yoshii confirmed that Moldova was an attractive destination for investments, reiterating the intention to further cooperate to turn to good account the present potential in the automotive sector. For her part, Ambassador of Germany to Moldova Julia Monar specified that the opening of new factories from the automotive industry contributed to regional development and generated direct benefits for all Moldova’s citizens.    

At present, over 20 companies from Germany, Japan, Italy, Austria, the USA, Switzerland, Belgium and Romania work in the automotive sector. In 2018, the investments in this field reached 500 million dollars.