Moldova is losing large amounts of investment due to the Ministry of Economy’s statements about plans to reform the FEZ of Moldova, which potential investors consider as plans to close them.
This was discussed yesterday on the air of Jurnal TV with the participation of Minister of Economy Sergiu Gaibu. In turn, the minister confirmed the intention of the sectoral department to reform free economic zones (FEZ) in the country, stating that this is not about closing, but about restructuring the free economic zones to bring them closer to the requirements of the European Union by 2024, stipulated in the association agreement with the EU. “I have seen many reports that Gaibu has decided to close free economic zones. It's a lie! At the same time, FEZ should be optimized like other state structures. One of the scenarios under consideration was presented. The matter concerns a possible restructuring of the SEZ, which is necessary because it is necessary to get closer to the EU requirements, and there is no need to wait for the last moment, one should prepare in advance. That is why we are making an assessment, including with the participation of international experts, considering the experience of other countries, such as Poland, Estonia, Romania, to see how they function, what is the most optimal model for Moldova. It is necessary to understand that Moldova is a very small country, and to have 8 administrations of the FEZ, with 8 accounting departments, with 8 secretaries, with 8 drivers for such a small country, which receives 1-2 large investors per year, this is a dispersion of resources,” said economy minister. According to him, that is why it is proposed to reform the FEZ. Since both the FEZ and the Investment Agency are involved in attracting investments, it is planned that they will be merged into a completely new structure with new functions, attracting specialists through a competition, with new management of the new structure that will manage investors centrally. “Instead of mainly support staff, we will have many specialists who will work directly with investors, help them, industry experts and the best professionals will work in the new structure,” Sergiu Gaibu emphasized. He acknowledged that in 2024 the provisions regarding the FEZ provided for in the Association Agreement signed in 2014 and the Agreement on the RM-EU Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area should come into force. “We do not have much time left, we need to consider these provisions well, and we are doing it now. This does not mean the closure of the FEZ; it means a reform that is close to the requirements of the EU. Along with international experts, we analyze the requirements of the EU, we also consider the practices of the EU countries that have such zones, and we want to adopt their practices, reform the provisions in such a way that they do not conflict with the provisions of the association agreement with the EU,” the Minister of Economy said. He claims that the FEZ will be restructured but will not be closed. “We are in dialogue with experts so that investors do not suffer. We are in direct dialogue with investors. FEZ administrators are officials, we are discussing these issues with them, but the key to success and the main interest, the main goal is a good, preferential treatment, convenient, comfortable for investors,” Sergiu Gaibu emphasized. //03.02.2022 - InfoMarket.
