This year the Ministry of Economy will focus on implementing documents of strategic planning approved in 2013, said Minister Valeriu Lazar on Wednesday while announcing priorities for 2014, IPN reports.

Among them, the minister highlighted the implementation of the Competitiveness Enhancement Roadmap, of the Innovation Strategy and the Regulatory Reform Strategy, Particular attention will be given to extending programs to support small and mid-sized enterprises and the network of industrial parks and to attract investment, in particular in production.

“We won't develop any other strategic documents. Maybe with the exception of the updated draft Investment Strategy.

“The signing of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU and of the Free Trade Agreement with Turkey will open up new opportunities, new geoeconomic realities that will integrate Moldova into a market with more than 500 million consumers. This advances to the front burner the need to identify solid policies for attracting investment and increasing exports”, said Valeriu Lazar.

As of Q3-2013, foreign direct investment in the Moldovan economy amounted to $183 million, 35% up on the similar period of the previous year. However, as Minister Lazar remarked, this is far less than needed. To redress this, Lazar said priority in 2014 will be given to measures that would help to create a friendly, predictable and stable business climate, which would allow Moldova's advancement in international rankings. In the latest World Bank's Doing Business report, Moldova climbed 5 spots to no.78 out of 189 countries.