PHOTO // PM, after visiting companies in southern region, says products made in Moldova competitive

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan has visited more companies in the south of the country and discussed with entrepreneurs the development of local production, exports, tax policy and bureaucratic barriers. The PM visited the Milina, Banzai and Bas Steel Profile companies in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia.

According to Vasile Tofan, local producers need clear rules, predictability and less bureaucracy, in order to develop their businesses.

“We have strong local producers who need clear rules, predictability and less bureaucracy,” the prime minister said.

At the Milina factory, Vasile Tofan noted the level of automation, export capacity and working conditions. The company exports to 11 countries, while the average salary is approximately 24,000 lei. The company's products, including frozen pies, are sold on the Romanian market and other European markets.

The prime minister also informed about a problem identified in the export process, referring to the repeated certification of the same batch of goods.

“There, too, I saw a clear example of bureaucracy holding exporters back: the repeated certification of the same batch of goods, which can delay an export by between 5 and 14 days. There are things we need to fix here,” Vasile Tofan said.

In Ceadar-Lunga, the prime minister visited Banzai (Transtest), a company specializing in snacks’ production. Approximately half of the company's revenues come from exports, and more than 200 people work at the enterprise. According to the PM, the company's grain elevators store and process approximately 30,000 cubic meters of sunflower seeds annually.

Another company visited was Bas Steel Profile, which produces pipes and hollow sections from steel sheet coils. Approximately 60 per cent of the company's output is meant for export.

During discussions with entrepreneurs, Vasile Tofan also addressed Moldovan producers' access to the European Union market, including by expanding export quotas for certain categories of products.

“We must work toward better access to the EU market, including by expanding the quotas that would allow companies like these to export more,” the prime minister said.

Vasile Tofan said that discussions with representatives of the business community focused on predictable tax policy, exports and the removal of bureaucratic barriers.

“Products made in Moldova are competitive. The role of the state is to help those who invest, produce and create jobs to grow more easily. When our companies gain new markets and export more, all of Moldova benefits,” the prime minister said.

The visit comes as the government has announced more measures in recent weeks, in order to simplify rules and reduce administrative barriers for the business community. Prime Minister Vasile Tofan has earlier said that revitalizing the economy was a priority and that the government is working to create a more predictable framework for entrepreneurs and investors.