Industry will become more attractive for investors thanks to the private initiative in creating industrial parks. The conclusion was reached by nine feasibility studies regarding the opening of industrial parks in Moldova. The studies were presented during at round table at the Ministry of Economy, Info-Prim Neo reports. The studies were developed by local consultancy companies with the support of the World Bank and UNDP Moldova, and will soon be published on Ministry’s site. Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar said the studies were a step towards the implementation of the new Law regarding industrial parks, approved in July 2010. “Industrial parks in many countries proved to be efficient tools of attracting investments in industry. We had a law on this issue and, in 2008, the Government even approved the opening of an industrial park in Cainari, but this never actually happened. We analyzed the causes of the failures, considered other countries’ experience and developed a new law”, he said. The new Law brings a new approach to the problem. Now, the state isn’t the only one that can open industrial parks, but has the role to create conditions that would encourage the private sector to do it. Companies that open industrial parks will be offered advantages such as the option to privatize the land on which parks are placed, if the investments stipulated in the contract are made. “We have the first results. A few months ago, the Government approved a company’s plan to open an industrial park in Tarigrad, Drochia district. This is a private initiative, followed by feasibility studies. It’s a step from developing policies to implementing them”, Lazar stressed. The nine feasibility studies stipulate the opening of industrial parks through state-owned companies, such as Raut in Balti, USM Falesti (the former factory of sanitation cars), CAAN in Straseni (the former factory of refrigerators), or on existing industrial platforms such as that of the former tractor factory in Chisinau. “Greenfield” parks, meaning parks on unarranged lands, without infrastructure, are planned near Edinet, Hancesti and Cantemir towns. Studies regarding the opening of industrial parks in the Balti Free Economic Zone and in Cainari, were presented as well. The reports focus on opportunities of creating parks in these regions, the necessary investments and impact on the economic development of these regions. Roberto Pace, president of the Moldovan-Italian Chamber of Trade and Industry, appreciated the studies and said Italian investors were willing to come and operate in the industrial parks. Alexandru Botnari, Mayor of Hancesti, thinks the feasibility study about opening a greenfield industrial park near the town was very useful. “Industrial parks are a good way of cooperation between central and local authorities. The local council is currently negotiating with investors that will open enterprises in the park. It will boost the development not only of the town, but of the whole district. 26 enterprises and over 1000 jobs should be created”, he said.