Press releases

Domestic entrepreneurs were familiarised with the opportunities offered by the Chinese and South East Asian markets at the workshop “Internationalisation of SMEs in the Chinese and South East Asian markets” organised by the Organisation for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (ODIMM) in the framework of the National Exhibition “Made in Moldova”.

Participants at the event learned about opportunities for the internationalisation of MSMEs through the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Moldova, which offers a wide range of services to support exports and technology transfer, the creation of sustainable business and technology partnerships.

Iulia Iabanji, Director-General of ODIMM, mentioned that the promotion of exports of indigenous products was a primary objective of the Government, stipulated by a series of policies and strategies, including: National Strategy “Moldova 2020” and SME Development Strategy 2012-2020etc. Since export promotion is a key priority of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, it has been developed National strategy for attracting investment and promoting exports for the years 2016-2020.

According to Yulia Iabanji, ODSMEs are constantly looking for solutions and support tools for small and medium-sized businesses, which account for 97 per cent of the national economy.

“In addition to all the tools provided for export promotion by the Government, including through business support programmes managed by ODIMM, we try to identify the needs and potential of the market by carrying out studies and on the basis of these studies the development of new business support instruments”, specified Iulia Iabanji.

It should be noted that Moldovan exports of goods amounted to USD 2 016 million in January-November 1851,4, an increase of 2.7 % compared to the same period in 2015.

As regards access to markets in Southeast Asia and China, Yulia Iabanji mentioned that there is enormous untapped potential, which is why it is necessary to identify access routes to these markets and help Moldovan entrepreneurs to adapt their products to their standards.

Trade relations with Southeast Asia and China intensified with the entry into the World Trade Organisation in 2001, gradually increasing from 18.1 thousand. USD to China at USD 21 718.8 thousand.

Simon Cheetham, The China IPR SME Helpdesk, described the general framework and specificities of the Chinese and South East Asian markets and the steps to be taken by domestic entrepreneurs to access these markets. The topics of assisting entrepreneurs in protecting and securing intellectual property rights through the provision of information and services, confidential advice on intellectual property and related issues, training and dissemination of information through online resources were addressed.

The Enterprise Europe Network is the world’s largest support network for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, with more than 3000 experts and almost 600 member organisations from more than 60 countries. The project is co-financed by the COSME programme 2014-2020 and is a key instrument of the European Union’s strategy for boosting growth and creating jobs.