On May 21st, EBA members held the General Assembly, in the exquisite atmosphere of the Poiana Winery.
The goal of May Assembly was to present and approve the 2018 Annual Report and Audited 2018 Financial Statements.
Mr. Karoly Szalai, EBA President, reiterated the successful 2018 year for the EBA Team and the progress the Association made in all the areas of activity, aimed at improving the business environment, enhance the capacity of member companies and promote business between Moldova and the EU.
HE Mr. Peter Michalko, EU Ambassador and Honorary President of EBA reiterated that EBA Moldova proved to be one of the leading business support organizations and one of the most active member on various Public Private Dialogue Platforms. Looking at undergoing reforms, H.E. mentioned that EBA has continued and significantly increased promoting expectations of European and EU related businesses in terms of the advocacy activities in a number of important sectors such as tax policy, food safety, trade facilitation, waste management, data protection which are aimed to support EU business and to bring European standards of doing business in Moldova.
Mrs. Mariana Rufa, EBA Executive Director, delivered a presentation focused on the 2018 Activity Review and the 2019 Updates, highlighting the key performance indicators on EBA operational activity, business environment issues approached in 2018, new EBA members, the activity within the Economic Council of the Prime Minister and public authorities, EBA workshops organized based on a members demand driven approach, EBA achievements under Policy and Advocacy agenda, EBA cooperation with GIZ and EBA cooperation with European Union and Sweden as well as other EBA activities in the local and international business environment.
Over the EBA General Assembly a MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING on the establishment of the European Platform for Regional Businesses between EBA Moldova and 6 Regional Business Hubs was signed. The platform was created with the financial support of the European Union and co-financed by the Sweden through East Europe Foundation within the Project “Local civil society contributes to economic and social development of Moldova.”
H.E. Ambassador of Sweden in Moldova Mrs Anna Lyberg also attended the Ceremony participating in handing over the Certificates to the Hubs
Mr. Sorin Mereacre, President of East Europe Foundation, congratulated the Business Hubs reiterating the importance of sustainability and functioning of the Platform launched under the umbrella of EBA and the importance of representing the voice of regional businesses for strengthening the policy making process.
The EBA General Assembly was followed by a Reception offered by EBA. The Reception was attended by a wider audience, thus creating the occasion for the members to interact with the representatives of the public authorities, diplomatic corps as well as various international cooperation partners.