​“MY GOAL IS INTENSIFICATION OF REFORMS IN ECONOMY” – MOLDOVAN ECONOMY MINISTER

Infotag’s interview with the Moldovan Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy Christophe Stephane Bride

Question: Mr. Bride, you are the first foreign citizen in Moldova’s history to occupy the post of minister in the Moldovan Government. What does this mean for you? Which are your advantages over a minister-Moldovan citizen? What will Moldova get due to your appointment?

Answer: For me the fact that I became minister in the RM Government is primarily a great honor and a great responsibility. The appointment demonstrates the ruling coalition’s clear liabilities to carry into effect the tasks in the for country’s European integration, including those for implementing European standards in the Moldovan economy. I accepted this proposal, being sure that I will emerge victorious in this struggle between the old and the new.

Maybe, my sense of the new, of order, of an efficient management, my experience of working in other countries, correctness and exactingness to quality, which were instilled in me in Europe, are my advantages. However, I am sure that had a minister-Moldovan been appointed, he would have also had these qualities.

Q. Chairman of the DP Marian Lupu said it was not easy for him to convince you to accept the post of the Minister of Economy. Which were the arguments that convinced you?

A. I admit I had to think before accepting. I carefully weighted all the challenges, including those regional, as well as the necessity to leave the projects, started by me in the private sector. I had no other motivation but desire to intensify reforms, help entrepreneurs and convince foreign investors that Moldova is a good direction for business.

Q. How were the first months in the post of Minister? What difficulties and problems have you encountered?

A. The Government started its activity in a difficult socio-economic context with many challenges. This is due to the influence exerted upon the economy by the geopolitical situation in the region, problems in country’s banking sector, operators’ demands on raising tariffs.

Q. During the last few years you were working in projects on audit and consulting in Moldovan financial institutions, thus you were well acquainted with the situation in the Moldovan economy. How do you see it now, from the position of minister? Whether it is better or worse than you expected?

A. Since I came to Moldova, I was engaged not only in consulting; I was also developing projects in business. So I have firsthand knowledge of how the Moldovan economy works. I would say that from the point of view of a minister, the economy looks much better than I saw it from the position of an entrepreneur. The first one has 4-year mandate to achieve results, while the second needs urgent solutions to develop the business. This is why, since the first days of my mandate, I initiated discussions with the business community and investors to listen to them and help solving their problems.

Q. Could you, please, indicate three priorities of the Economy Ministry for 2015.

A. The main task is, of course, fulfilling liabilities on the EU Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement for adapting the country’s economy to the European market and international standards. Another important objective is ensuring energy security by means of sources diversification and the interconnection with the European natural gas and electricity market. By this I mean the extending of the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline to the Moldovan capital – Chisinau. As for connection to the European energy system, it means the building until 2017 of power transmission line Isaccea-Vulcanesti and Vulcanesti-Chisinau.

Another priority is strengthening measures on development of the business environment, attraction of investments.

Q. Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici is talking about the Government’s readiness to conduct negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a new Cooperation Program. What are the ministry’s expectations from the Memorandum with IMF?

A. The existence of a cooperation program with IMF is highly important for continuing structural reforms, which would ensure a sustainable economic development and financial stability. The memorandum will facilitate the cooperation with foreign countries, many of which are Moldova’s strategic partners. Negotiations with the IMF will begin in the nearest future, perhaps already at the end of May. We will take into account the IMF recommendations as we expect for strengthening cooperation with development partners in order to achieve a sustainable economic growth for Moldova.

Q. Thank you for your time, Mr. Bride.