OREANDA-NEWS. February 06, 2013. Over 150 local business people and more than 50 business environment representatives from Romania, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Great Britain attended an International Investment Conference Moldova-opportunities for new partnerships in Chisinau.

Opening the event, Economics Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Valeriu Lazar said that “the conference allows creating connections needed to draw in investments and enhance competitiveness of the local goods”. “We need investments and we should be more competitive to make the most of the opportunities provided by the deep and comprehensive free trade agreement with the European Union. Therefore, the event is a step to achieve the set goals”, he said.

For his part, the head of the European Union Delegation to Moldova, Ambassador Dirk Schuebel, said that the signing of this agreement with the EU is not a threat, but an opportunity to the Moldovan business people. “It is not just about the exports’ rise, but also the accession to the EU standards. Moldova is a market with potential – fertile soils, openness to the East, human resources, road infrastructure etc.

For the EU, Moldova is a way of externalizing its activity. Yet, it is needed to be implemented reforms meant to improve the business environment”, Dirk Schuebel said.

The Moldovan Chamber of Commerce and Industry within the East Invest project in partnership with EUROCHAMBRES (European Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry) and Moldova’s Economics Ministry organized the event.