Moldovan PM encourages US companies to invest in Moldova
10:09 | 26.06.2018 Category: Official
Chisinau, 26 June /MOLDPRES/- Investment opportunities in Moldova were discussed yesterday in Washington. The roundtable "Economic and Investment Opportunities in Moldova", hosted by the American-Central European Business Association (ACEBA), brought together representatives of US federal and state agencies on trade, companies, development partners and international financial institutions, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.
In his message, Filip said that the government’s commitment to implementing reforms is meant to ensure a stable and attractive investment climate for foreign investors. "We are a pro-business government and we want to have as much foreign investment as possible to make social investments. The first reforms of the government were specifically focused on improving the business environment,” he said.
Among these reforms, the prime minister noted the decrease in the number of institutions with control functions, the checks being predictable and transparent, the reduction of permissive acts and their provision through the single window, the reduction of the reports submitted to the state structures and the amendment to the Labor Code.
The premier has invited US companies to participate in the privatization of state-owned companies, including Moldtelecom company, Air Moldova company and 2 electricity distribution networks, as well as to invest in the financial and banking sector.
At the same time, US companies can launch businesses in the 7 Free Economic Zones and the first IT Park in Moldova, where the 7% single tax for park residents is a very attractive one, and the IT industry is growing at rapid pace and creating high added value.
"The creation of the first IT Park is a soul project for me, which I promoted as Minister of Information and Communication Technology. At present, this park is already operating in 206 IT companies," the premier said.
The reforms promoted by the government have been successful, ensuring a 4-per cent-growth in 2016 and 4.5 in 2017. Only last year, about 60,000 jobs were created, and this year's budget revenues increased by 30 per cent.
Philip stressed that the basis for the governing program is the Association Agreement with the EU and the Free Trade Agreement. At the same time, Moldova has a Free Trade Agreement with the CIS. Moldovan production can be exported duty-free to the West and the East.
Representatives of US companies have shown interest in the economic potential of the Republic of Moldova and said they will study the possibilities of investing in our country.
At present, over 400 US-based enterprises are operating in Moldova. The US ranks 6th among the partner countries of Moldova in terms of the capital.
The American-Central European Business Association is a platform for discussion under the umbrella of the American Chamber of Commerce, which provides additional opportunities for developing mutual trade and launching investment projects between the US and Central European countries. It brings together 14 countries: Moldova, Romania, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary.