OREANDA-NEWS. May 20, 2011. Visiting Prime Minister Vlad Filat participated in roundtable discussions with German business people in Hamburg, Germany, according to the government's communication and press relations department.

The meeting, hosted by the Mabanaft GmbH&Co.KG company, brought together representatives of several big companies dealing with telecommunications, flight services, cosmetics and wine-making. Deputy Premier, Economics Minister Valeriu Lazar, Deputy Premier for Reintegration Eugen Carpov and the head of the Chamber of Trade and Industry, Gheorghe Cucu, participated in the meeting as well.

Vlad Filat said that his visit to Germany is very important, not only from a political point of view but also from an economic one. Filat said that it is very important for the German business people to get to know Moldova and its investment potential better. He noted that there are big German companies operating in Moldova and voiced hope that their number will increase.

"Moldova needs investments, as well as new approaches to business development so that it becomes truly efficient. The German experience is relevant in this sector," Filat said.

Filat also talked about Moldova's European integration process, especially, its prospects in this field. He noted that in the nearest future, the European Commission will approve a mandate for the launch of talks on a free trade agreement, which will open up new prospects for the Moldovan investors.

The German business people attending the meeting showed interest in Moldova's agreement with the IMF and its economic results. Filat said that Moldova recorded a 6.9-per-cent economic growth and a 2.4-per-cent budgetary deficit in 2010, and this year's trends seem to be positive.

"The programme led to performances and we will continue to carry it out. Also, we launched the justice reform and are aspiring to create a viable fiscal system," Filat noted.

Filat said that Moldova is interested in investments in different fields, and public-private partnerships are extremely welcome, the more so as Moldova's normative framework is favorable in this sector.

Economics Minister Valeriu Lazar noted that there is a big potential for investments in such sectors as constructions, agriculture, industry and healthcare and urged the German business people to come to Moldova. Lazar briefed them on the biggest projects which have recently started in Moldova and some that will be launched soon. He noted that interest in Moldova is on the rise.

The German business people expressed interest in the state enterprises to be privatized, in Moldova's wine-making industry and its potential. In the context, Filat said that the European Commission doubled the quota of the Moldovan wines shipped on the communitarian market without customs duties, adding that the production of quality wines significantly increased.

Also, the officials discussed the local aviation market and its development prospects. Filat said that Moldova hopes to launch soon negotiations on accession to the European Common Aviation Area, so that the Moldovan citizens benefit from quality and cost-effective aviation services. Filat also referred to the opportunities created by the business environment.