Although in 2012, the economy of the Republic of Moldova entered recession after being severely affected by the decrease in the foreign demand and the crisis in the Eurozone which reduced the demand for the national exported products, the World Bank anticipates a GDP growth of 3% for 2013 (mostly due to the recovery in the agricultural sector). Therefore, the economic recovery encourages the allocation of private and public investments in projects for the development of Moldova’s industrial parks, the authorities’ plans focusing on the construction of 13 parks that will have rail infrastructure connections.
The World Bank believes that economic growth in the first half of the year will be modest, but the improvement of foreign conditions and the recovery of the agricultural sector will probably accelerate growth in the second half of 2013. It also estimates a “4-5% growth in 2014-2015 with accentuated foreign demand for the products exported by the Republic of Moldova who will be favoured by the increased trust of consumers and investors”, shows the WB report, “Moldova Economic Update” (April 2013).
To that end, the authorities of Moldova are becoming more and more active in the launch of policies and projects aimed at attracting foreign investments and at promoting commercial activities which are also encouraged by the “National Development Strategy 2020” and by the Strategy for the Development of Land Transport Infrastructure. To encourage the business sector, Moldova has created facilities where investors can develop activities based on preferential conditions, such as the 7 Free Economic Zones (FEZ) and Industrial Parks. Through the strategy approved by the authorities, the development of the transport and logistics sector is seen by the authorities and by the international financial institutions as key element on the positive impact in the economy, the projects to be launched being mostly financed through public investments and by increasing the implication of the private and foreign sector. In the next years, the authorities plan to implement the Strategy for the Development of Transport Infrastructure (by 2017) aimed at optimising mobility conditions for freight transport, facilitating trade in the national and international market and integrating the main transport routes which cross Europe. In this context, the railway business opportunities are encouraged by the privatisation process and by the major investments in the railway network and the development of railway freight transport services. The logistics sector will see the construction of industrial parks and the development of logistics services.
“There are projects underway, several partnership initiatives and we will ensure the investors of the stability and expectedness of these projects by strengthening our institutional capacities. We have to focus on precise targets such as attracting investments in industry in order to increase our competitiveness”, declared ValeriuLazăr, Minister of Economy, during the international forum “Invest in Moldova” (March 2013).
Currently, Moldova has 13 projects for industrial parks of which 3 parks are already underway in strategic positions, either at the borders with neighbouring countries, Romania (Ungheni Industrial Park), Ukraine (Floreşti, Cimislia) or in the important zones of Moldova Chişinău (Căinari, Tracom), Bălţi (Bioenergagro, Răut). The development of parks in these regions is mostly determined by the railway connections with these countries.
According to the official web site of the Ministry of Economy, the feasibility studies for 9 parks are elaborated and the estimated investments for their development amount to around EUR 200 Million.
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