Smoothing the Path for Business in Moldova
In Moldova, regulatory reform has become an increasingly popular tool to effectively fight corruption and bribery. When combined with political will and popular support, regulatory reform is virtually unbeatable. Step by step, local communities and regions are getting onboard with regulatory reform and tearing down barriers to business.
Most recently, in Edinet, a new One Stop Shop On-line for trade licensing opened its doors for business with USAID assistance. A One Stop Shop is a non-government managed facility that brings state institutions together in a special network to save businesses time, hassle and money. For example, a business person seeking a trade license to operate in Edinet now visits the One Stop Shop On-line rather than traveling from “pillar to post” in each state office to get the 10 signatures needed for licensing. As a result, this formerly three-month process has been reduced to just 10 days, eliminating waiting rooms, unofficial taxes and penalties, uncertainty, fear and confusion.
The change was experienced by Alexandru Mişcenco, an Edinet-based retailer who received his trade license at the One Stop Shop’s opening ceremony. Before members of the business-community, public officials and the press who had gathered for the event he said, “This is not the first license that I received. But it’s by far the most trouble-free one. I recommend you to open a new business just to see how simple it is to get a license.”
Edinet One Stop Shop On-line is the third facility of this kind to open in Moldova. The first was established in Cahul in May 2005, the second in Hincesti in October 2005; the Edinet office opened in November 2005. All three offices receive technical support from USAID. Other regions are in a hurry to keep pace with these regional reform leaders, so 12 more One Stop Shops are due to open by Summer 2006. The Moldovan government is aiming for European integration, and the One Stop Shops are seen as an important step toward European norms.
 |
| Edinet Mayor Leonid Jidacevschii hands the first trade license issued by One Stop Shop On-line to Alexandru Mişcenc |
Back to Top ^ |
