Investments

Investment Guide

Moldova’s favorable geographic position, the exceptional quality of its soil, qualified labor force and its scientific and technological potential, make the country a good location for foreign investment. The United States of America are one of the main investors of the Republic of Moldova. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova, the United States foreign direct investments in Moldova, until January 2006, totaled 44.17 million dollars, representing 7.6% of all foreign direct capital invested in Moldova, and placing itself on the third position after Russia and Spain. The United States invested mainly in Moldovan economic sectors such as agriculture, food processing industry, wine industry and telecommunications. The major companies with U.S. capital are, “Dyonisos-Mereni”, Green Hills Base, DAAC Hermes Group, Alba, Acorex Wine Holding, Lion-Gri, Sun Communications, etc. According to the information released by the Ministry of Economy and Trade, American companies have invested in 236 companies in the Republic of Moldova.

The Government puts an emphasis on foreign investment as a key factor in economic development. Moldova is particularly interested in attracting investments in sectors such as: hi-tech, road construction, textile, technical and remote services, renewable energies, wine and organic food sector. The authorities are constantly working to create a favorable environment for investment and therefore have established an adequate legal base with favorable tax treatment for foreign investors. The Constitution of the Republic of Moldova guarantees the inviolability of investments by all physical and legal entities, including foreigners. Key constitutional principles include the establishment of supremacy of international law, market economy, private property, provisions against unjust expropriation, provisions against confiscation of property, and separation of power among government branches.

At the final plenary meeting of the Parliament’s spring-summer session 2006, the President of the Republic of Moldova has declared that it was essential to start a new stage in the country’s development, and to strengthen the investment attraction policy. As a result, in November 2006, the Government has approved the Investment Attraction and Export Promotion Strategy for 2006-2015, some main goals of which are to increase the volume of the foreign investments, modernize and restructure the national economy, create new efficient sectors, reduce regional and structural disproportions in the development of the national economy.

In addition, the main act which regulates the foreign investment legal framework is “Law on Investment in Entrepreneurial Activity” adopted in 2004.
Following is a list of some useful links to access more information about the investment climate in the Republic of Moldova, systematized by the Moldovan Investment and Export Promotion Organization.

Investment Incentives.

The economic situation and investment climate of the Republic of Moldova

Tax system of the Republic of Moldova and investments

Information on free economic zones

If you are considering the Republic of Moldova as a place for investment, you can obtain detailed information on the web sites of the Moldovan Investment and Export Promotion Organization (www.miepo.md) or the Ministry of Economy and Trade of the Republic of Moldova (www.mec.gov.md)

If you are seeking partnership and would like to find trading partners the following sources are the most helpful:
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova (www.chamber.md). Information can be requested by sending a request to marketing@chamber.md

As regards the exhibitions and trade organized in Moldova, please visit the web site www.moldexpo.md.

Contacting the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova, you can receive more information on the on-going investment projects in Moldova and the proposed projects for financing.

If you consider participating in an international tender organized in Moldova, please visit the web site www.tender.md or read the information below.

News: Tender

The Ministry of Economy and Trade announces the international tender on “Expanding the network of supermarkets on the territory of the Republic of Moldova”.

Objective:

The tender has the goal to determine the company which will expand the network of supermarkets on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, with a minimum space of 2000 sq. meters. The overall process will consist of two stages. The first stage is foreseen for 2007-2009 and will include the construction of supermarkets in cities Anenii Noi, Cahul, Comrat, Drochia, Hincesti, Rezina, Ungheni, Soroca, Orhei. The second stage foreseen for 2009-2011 will include the construction of two supermarkets in Chisinau and one in Balti.

Legal entities from Moldova and abroad are eligible to participate in the tender, and at any stage have the right to withdraw the application.

Requirements:

The participants are required to submit the following documents:

1. Application for participation in the tender;
2. Foreign legal entities submit the copy of the registration certificate, issued by the authorized entity and the copy of the statute. Both documents should be legalized by the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in the country of registration or by the embassy of the Unites States of America in the Republic of Moldova;
3. A copy of the financial report for the previous year and for current quarter of the year, both legalized by the local entity, and signed by the head of the company, and with the company’s stamp. These documents should be legalized by the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in the country of registration or by the embassy of the Unites States of America in the Republic of Moldova;
4. Payment documents that prove that the participation deposit of 200.000 lei was transferred starting with March 1,2007 to the following bank account:
Beneficiary: Ministry of Finance- Main Treasury
Fiscal Code – 1006601000037
Beneficiary Bank: Ministry of Finance – Main Treasury
Bank code: TREZMD2X
Bank Account: 33114001
Income Treasury account: 12240000100

Information regarding the equivalent amount of 200.000 lei in US dollars can be received by sending a request to cuzimuc@moldova.md or /373 22/ 23 42 37.

5. A banking guarantee in amount of 5 mln US dollars as an evidence of the capacity to cover the expenses for the supermarket constructions;
6. A business-plan of the project, construction and management of the supermarkets;
7. An Action Plan with the deadlines for the construction.
8. Assurance that the activities will be environmental friendly.

The participating documents should be submitted in a sealed envelope to the Ministry of Economy and Trade in English, or another language, with a compulsory translation of the documents in the state language of the Republic of Moldova. The participant should attach to this envelope the payment documents proving the participation deposit.

The deadline for submitting the applications is April 30, 2007, 5:00 pm. The documents should be mailed to the following address:
Ministry of Economy and Trade, bir. 240,
Piata Marii Adunari Nationale 1,
Chisinau,
Republica Moldova.

A special commission will examine the business plan and the other submitted documents and will determine the winner of the tender with the right to build the network of supermarkets. The participation deposit will be returned to the participants who didn’t win the tender.

Additional information can be obtained on the following e-mail: cuzimuc@moldova.md or by calling /373 22/ 23 42 37.