Investments worth more than 62 million dollars have been attracted to those seven free economic zones (FEZ) of Moldova in the first nine months of 2017, up by about 40 per cent. Therefore, the overall investments have amounted to 350 million dollars since the beginning of FEZ’ work.  

Deputy Prime Minister, Economics and Infrastructure Minister Octavian Calmic told a today’s news conference that the number of employees in these zones was of about 11,000 persons, which is by over 63 per cent more against the same period of the last year.

“Till the end of this year, we forecast an increase in the number of employees to 12,500 persons and in the next two years – up to 25,000. The growth is due to investments made in these zones through projects enforced especially in the zones from Balti and its subzones. Thus, in Balti, we plan to extend the number of people employed by 10,000 in the next two years, in Vulcanesti – by 2,000 and in Otaci – by 300, for which investors have been already identified,” Calmic said.

According to data presented, most investments have been made so far in the Balti economic zone – about 150 million dollars, followed by the economic zones from Ungheni and Chisinau – 70 million dollars each. “In the next two years, we expect investments up to 280 million dollars, of which 250 million dollars is meant for the Balti economic zone, followed by 10 million dollars – Vulcanesti, 4 million dollars – Taraclia and 15 million dollars – Otaci. The production till 1 October 2017 was of 3.7 billion lei; till the end of this year, we plan a production worth up to 5.1 billion lei. Production is diverse, beginning from chair covers, wiring for vehicles, construction materials and textile goods. At the same time, the weight of exports in this sector is 22 per cent. This year, we have managed to open 4,000 jobs; yet, we are set to do more next year. Also, we forecast a five-per cent increase in investments for 2018,” Octavian Calmic added.

The Economics and Infrastructure Ministry also said that, on the next period, new investment projects are to be carried out in some free economic zones, which will facilitate the increase in investments, as well as the creation of a larger number of jobs.

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