The Government believes that Moldova's economy has all the chances to grow in 2018. A boost will come from the massive investments that are foreseen in the road infrastructure development and energy. Octavian Calmîc will answer our questions whether or not this economical growth will allow the creation of new work places. (final part)
- In 2016 and 2017, the Moldovan economy registered a growth rate of four per cent. When do we jump to a GDP growth of 5-6 percent annually and what are the conditions we have to do in this respect?
"I want to say that 2016 was one of the most difficult years in the view of economy, society, politics because after instability, crisis of banking, politics, it was difficult to bring the macroeconomic indicators to a growth path.
First of all, the first objective in 2016 was to stabilize and overcome these problems and move on to economic growth.
In fact, if we look at the structure, economic growth in 2016 was only due to the private sector who had a tremendous confidence turn in what Government and institution made.
And this confidence has been strengthened in 2017.
We must regret those natural disasters in April which affected considerably agricultural products as well as other industries. We should have grown more than this. With all these respects, we expect a growth of around 3.5% this year.
For next year, the state wants to modernize road infrastructure and other infrastructures , other businesses, utilizing capital investments. I believe one of the basic contributions to economic growth next year will be due to state investment in this sector.
This will surely awaken a chain reaction to the private sector, which will encourage investments that are commensurate with the capital ones, so as to ensure much greater growth.
For 2018 budget, we've calculated an economic growth of 3.5 percent, but we are convinced that this growth will be much higher, "Economy and Infrastructure Minister Octavian Calmic said.
- What are the priorities of the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure for 2018?
"We have priorities in every sector. In general, we have projects on infrastructure, energy and road which are first priorities as these are to be monitored by both civil society and us, we will be able to estimate the value of our efforts throughout the year.
We also have the gas pipeline objectives which are to be put into operation. In addition, we will launch the implementation of the project interconnection, electricity on the Southern districts or another solution that will be identified by international technicians in the sector.
In road projects, we have 400 km of in rehabilitation, at least half of which will be put into operation.
In Free Trade zone, there will be at least 10 million jobs to be created, concerning the premises and investments we've made. This means that at least three extra industrial platforms are to be opened.
Regarding foreign trade, we're convinced that we'll reach 10% growth of export and import. Of course, the European market and the value of the Association Agreement and the Free Trade Agreement with the European Union will determine factors in this respect because we are also channeling the efforts and the financial assistance that we get.
Another objective in the field of quality infrastructure is to pass this monitoring on behalf of the European services and to obtain the right to export more animal products.
Even though this issue is within the competence of ANSA, however, we are monitoring daily progress in this sector and we would like to increase the volume of exported animal products next year and diversify markets.
One of our goals is to launch and finalize the negotiations on free trade with other countries: China, United Arab Emirates, Egypt.
In the construction field, we will intensify to apply European standards so that we can avoid chaotic construction in different dimensions.
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