The business entities consider the business climate in Moldova became less noxious, shows the World Bank survey “Cost of doing business 2017” that was presented on February 20.
The survey has been carried out in Moldova for 15 years and refers to 17 areas of state intervention in entrepreneurial activity. The formulated proposals and suggestions are taken into consideration when drafting business development policies, said Iulia Costin, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure.
Among the most positive moments highlighted in the study is the reduction in the business registration period. Only 10% of the companies met with difficulties in the registration process. The surveyed companies said they faced a low number of inspections, but the length of inspections increased. Most often, the companies are visited by the fiscal authorities. The number of inspections carried out by the State Tax Service rose in 2017.
As regards licensing, the business entities said that even if they made fewer unofficial payments, they consider the number of types of activities subject to licensing remains high. Among the aspects that continue to dissatisfy the companies are the difficult procedures when importing goods and services. According to the respondents, these procedures became more complex, especially those related to the indicative prices when assessing goods in customs. They need to obtain a large number of permissive documents.
Some 29% of the interviewed companies moved to new head offices in 2017, but only 3% of them (1% of all the companies) erected these buildings. Only 9% of the respondents said all the companies are treated equally. In 2015, this indicator stood at 19%. Asked about the non-discriminatory implementation of the legislation in respect of entrepreneurs, 38% of those surveyed said gave an affirmative answer, as opposed to 40% in 2016.
World Bank Country Manager for Moldova Anna Akhalkatsi said the improvement of the conditions of doing business is a precondition for creating jobs and fostering the country’s prosperity, noting the World Bank is ready to support Moldova in its efforts in this regard.
