Moldova to adopt new approach to investment attraction

The Ministry of Economy this year will pilot a new strategy for attracting direct foreign investment, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting Deputy Minister of Economy Sergiu Ciobanu. The deputy minister said that Moldova needs solid investors that would bring capital, know-how and technologies into the country. “We will target the transnational corporations that have such capacities. We hope to achieve results. We have a positive experience in this respect with Draexlmaier Grup Automotive in Balti and will continue to take steps,” Sergiu Ciobanu said. He also said that there were identified new instruments for attracting investments. Besides the seven free economic zones, the Giurgiulesti Free International Port and the Marculesti International Airport, where investors are expected to come, nine feasibility studies were launched recently to set up industrial parks on the basis of companies that belong to the state, known industrial platforms and plots managed by the local public authorities, where there will be built infrastructure. A private investor opened recently an industrial park in Tarigrad, Drochia. The law on the private-public partnership was amended so that it allows attracting investments to healthcare, education, service sector and other important areas. According to Sergiu Ciobanu, the Ministry drafted a bill that provides for the creation of a council that would coordinate the investment attraction process and the implementation of all the strategic investment projects. It was submitted to the Government for consideration. The Moldovan Investment and Export Promotion Organization is being restructured and is to become a specialized agency that will provide different services of a high quality to potential foreign and national investors.