On 17 March this year, Director General of the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI), Octavian Apostol attended the first meeting of the Consultative Council for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), chaired by Octavian Calmac, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, Chairman of the Council.
During the meeting was analyzed the current situation in the sector of small and medium-sized enterprises, the trends of development of the given field, etc.
According to Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, Octavian Calmac, the Council is to become an effective platform for strengthening public-private dialogue, to contribute to the examination of draft legislative and normative acts relating to the SMEs sector, to monitor the implementation of state programs to support the sector concerned and to make the analysis of competitiveness of development of the SMEs sector, etc.
“The Council will also submit recommendations for development, amendment and implementation of programs and policies to support the sector of small and medium-sized enterprises in accordance with the requirements of the single market and the needs for enhancing the product quality, according to European standards”, said Minister of Economy.
AGEPI Director General informed Council members that the Agency benefits from a project funded by the European Union, namely “Support to Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in the Republic of Moldova”. A component of the project is dedicated to developing the system of geographical indications. Thus, within the project will be organized a series of activities, such as seminars, trainings, exchanges of experience, etc. intended to support producers in identifying and promoting traditional quality products. “With joint efforts of the institutions with responsibilities in the area, such as the Ministry of Economy, Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises Sector Development, etc., we could boost development and support of entrepreneurs in the territory and market promotion of domestic products with high added value”, added Octavian Apostol.
In order to streamline the work of the Council, it was decided to develop an activity plan for the current year, including concrete actions to develop the SMEs sector.
The Consultative Council for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises is formed on parity principles of 33 members representing state institutions (ministries), local authorities – CLAM, Department of Economy of ATU Gagauzia, RDAs, associative and private sector. The Council was established with the aim of creating a platform for dialogue between employers and government agencies to provide entrepreneurs the opportunity to participate in the improvement of the relevant legislation.
