The Moldovan Government is establishing a Consultative Council for the development of SMEs in the country. The new structure will operate under the Ministry of Economy and act as a platform for effective dialogue between entrepreneurs and government departments.
The council, set up under a new law for SMEs adopted in the last quarter of 2016, will study the problems of small and medium-sized businesses in Moldova, says the government, and start new programmes for their development.
Representatives of business and civil society are to participate actively in the council’s activities and its members will analyse the competitiveness of the sector, and the business environment generally, with a view to making recommendations for improvements.
The body will include representatives from economy, finance, agriculture, regional development and construction ministries, organisations for SME development, agencies for attracting investment and promoting Moldovan exports, regional and local authorities, chambers of commerce, trade unions, employers, non-governmental organisations and professional associations.
In recent years, the Moldovan government has attempted to improve the business climate for SMEs, simplifying legislative and administrative procedures and implementing structural reforms. It adopted a new strategy for SMEs in 2012 aiming to create clusters of companies and innovation hubs, and providing training and consulting to SMEs.
The new Act defines a new legal framework for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and includes measures to stimulate the sustainable development of the sector. It is also intended to boost research, development and innovation among SMEs.