OREANDA-NEWS. December 02, 2010. “BusinessConsultExpo” exhibition is the latest initiative of the EBRD’s Business Advisory Services Programme aimed at increasing the visibility of consultancy services, promoting the benefits of advisory services in enhancing the competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), and providing networking opportunities between Moldovan consultants and SMEs, as well at encouraging the cooperation among private sector development players. 50 local and regional providers of consultancy services will participate at the exhibition and over 500 local and foreign visitors are expected to attend the event, including representatives of the EBRD, Moldovan business sector, international institutions and mass media.

The exhibition will host app. 20 workshops covering specific areas, such as strategic development, successful management of consulting projects and anti-crisis measures for SME’s, information management systems, financial management and marketing, etc.„BusinessConsultExpo” is the first and the only event in Moldova bringing together providers of consultancy services and SMEs. This exhibition is providing a platform for local consultants and businesses to explore the opportunities for strengthening their activities. The event will increase the visibility of consultancy services and will promote the use of professional business consultancy as an efficient tool to enhance SMEs’ competitiveness.

Thus, BusinessConsultExpo is about discovery, creating opportunity and supporting local businesses” said Veronica Arpintin, National Director of the EBRD’s BAS Programme. EBRD BAS Programme provides assistance to Moldovan SMEs in identifying and defining the business needs of the enterprises, cooperation in selecting the most effective local consultants to solve specific business problems faced by the enterprises and grants for co-financing the consultancy projects. EBRD BAS Programme is implemented in Moldova since 2005, supporting over 250 Moldovan SMEs operating in various sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, food processing, IT, retail trading, apparel industry. BAS Programme is supporting beneficiary companies by reimbursing up to 70 percent of the consultancy project costs, with a limit of €10,000.

The total value of BAS assistance to Moldovan companies since 2005 is close to €1.4 million. Currently Moldova BAS Programme is focusing on promoting implementation of energy efficiency projects (with Sweden support), improving business competitiveness in rural areas, and encouraging women entrepreneurs.