Creating working platforms for public private dialogue aimed to business development in Moldova become a reason of Business Support Association Forum, which took place on April 18 in Chisinau. More than 50 leaders of local business associations, Government officials, representatives of donor organizations and foreign experts took part in the discussion.
The forum was organized by European Business Association (EBA) in Moldova in cooperation with the EU funded project of Technical Assistance for the Implementation of the DCFTA in the Republic of Moldova. This event is the first one within the EU4Business week - the series of forums, round tables and seminar for business support organizations, which will take place during April 18 - 22 in Chisinau.
"Today we have more than 3000 registered business associations in our country. Unfortunately, not all of them are really working in the field of entrepreneurship development. And today we invited representatives of 40 BSOs who are certainly involved in the public private dialogue to discuss how we can be more efficient and which platform could we use for it", - said Executive Director of EBA in Moldova Mariana Rufa.
She mentioned, that at this step there are quite a lot of donors, who support such platforms and advocacy activities. Representatives of such organizations were invited to the Forum to present topical opportunities for BSOs and SMEs in Moldova and Eastern Partnership countries.
The discussion was attended by coordinators and managers of The European Union Delegation in Chisinau, European Commission, EBRD Representation in Moldova (PM Economic Council Team), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), USAID BRITE Programme, Ministry of Economy (RIA Team) and Customs Service of the RM. In particular, a Key Expert on policy of European Commission Christian Gessl and a Program Director of European Commission Michaela Hauf presented current programs for the development of PPD platforms.
"After the summer 2016 the EU4Business website will be available online. There you will be able to find information about all support programs for small and medium enterprises and business associations provided by European Commission in Eastern Partnership countries", - announced Michaela Haufe.
The next events during EU4Business week described Christian Gessl. He mentioned, that a practical block will contain the series of discussions on "SME Policy Index". They are aimed to explain how such instrument could be useful for local business support organizations, why coalition building is important for a constructive dialogue with the public, as well as establish cooperation with OECD delegation.
"After these we will provide the trainings block on Communication. How to organize and maintain the work inside business associations and coalitions, how to communicate with media, who are the stakeholders within advocacy campaign and how to achieve them, how to build effective communication with the authorities - and many other questions will be covered by foreign experts from Brussels and Ukraine", - sad Christian Gessl.
Training will be provided in the Free International University of Moldova by a Lobbyist in Brussels Ludger Fischer, a Director of the Institute of lobbying and advocacy in Ukraine Dennis Bazylevych and Communications Expert of the National SME Platform in Ukraine Anastasia Baklan. Participation in the events for representatives of local BSOs is free of charge.