During 29-30th of May, the Ministry of Economy, Moldova Investment and Export Promotion Organisation (MIEPO), in partnership with EBA Moldova and with the support of GIZ, have organized the 2nd edition of the “Moldova Automotive Days” - an event aimed at attracting new investments and enhancing the public-private dialogue in the automotive industry.
The event brought together over 300 participants among which more than 150 potential foreign and local automotive related investors, manufacturers and suppliers of machine building, development partners, and students from engineering faculties. The event highlighted the opportunities brought by this sector in trade and the national economy, the facilities offered by Moldova, the current ongoing reforms and legislation amendments, and many other aspects to consider when investing.
The event started with the welcome speeches of Pavel Filip, Prime Minister of Moldova, Chiril Gaburici, Minister of Economy and Infrastructure, H.E. Julia MONAR, Ambassador of Germany in the Republic of Moldova and H.E. Masanobu YOSHII, Ambassador of Japan in the Republic of Moldova.
The Prime Minister underlined that over the last years the automotive sector has become one of the most dynamic industries with renewed international players who have chosen our country to expand their business. In his speech, the Prime Minister also emphasized the benefits of dual education. Those 700 young people who learn the job directly at the factory, 100 are from the automotive sector. Pavel Filip welcomed the organization of the job fair in the automotive sector and encouraged young people to choose this field for a successful career.
The event continued with four discussion panels accompanied by Q&A sessions, and a practical workshop. The first panel was launched by EBA President, Thomas Moser. The panel gathered regional leaders, who gave a macro perspective on financial and supply chain conditions. Mr. Moser listed the specific benefits and framework that Moldova can currently offer and underlined the importance of the supply chain in this industry and the productive environment for public-private dialogue. The 2nd panel discussion touched upon the business climate in Moldova, competitiveness advantages for automotive sector and labor force potential of the RM and some success stories. This session was moderated by EBA Executive Director Mariana Rufa who described briefly the current reforms as well as other comparative advantages that Moldova can provide to the investors.
The other two panels have been moderated by Mr. Ronny Bechmann, Sustainable Economic Development Program Manager, GIZ Moldova with the subject: Education a priority for Automotive sector and the last panel was moderated by Ana Chirita, Executive Director ATIC (Association of IT companies) who reiterated the IT sector dynamics and its importance in the automotive sector developments.
Over the same event, a round table focused on Challenges and opportunities in implementation of dual education, has been organized by EBA GIZ and CCI, where EBA members and other companies from various sectors: automotive, banking, education, ICT and constructions, international investors addressed their concerns related to taxation and deductibility issues in the context of dual education system implementation in Moldova. The session was attended by representatives of Ministry of Finance and Tax State Service as well as Ministry of Education who shared their views on the above-mentioned subjects. EBA will continue to work closely with GIZ and CCI, as well as other partners in developing a Position Paper, comprising the comments and proposals of the private sector aimed at improving the dual education system in Moldova.
Over the second day of Moldova Automotive Days the participants had B2B sessions, followed by on the spot visits to automotive plants in Orhei and Comrat, Gagauzia where the investors could witness the business operation process of two biggest automotive companies in Republic of Moldova: Fujikura and Sumitomo Electric Bordnetze SE and share their experience, address questions related to their activities in Moldova.