2013年-世界发展银行全球_Republic_of_Moldova___Policy_Priorities_for_Private_Sector_Development_119页_2mb

Summary of the Report: Republic of Moldova - Policy Priorities for Private Sector Development

Core Content

This report, published by the World Bank in June 2013, outlines the key challenges and policy priorities for improving the private sector development in the Republic of Moldova. It is part of the World Bank's Private Sector Development (PPD) program and is based on a comprehensive analysis of the business environment, regulatory framework, and the financial sector. The report emphasizes the need for reforms in five priority areas: customs administration, tax administration, licenses, authorizations, and inspections, competition, and enterprise access to finance. The goal is to enhance the business environment, boost competitiveness, and support sustainable growth in line with the Moldova 2020 national development strategy.

Main Viewpoints

• Economic Context: Moldova has experienced "jobless growth" over the past decade, with a reliance on remittances and consumption. The country aims to shift to an export-driven model to reduce economic vulnerabilities and create jobs.

• Business Environment: Moldova's business environment remains weak, characterized by uncertainty, high transaction costs, and corruption. This has limited the productivity and competitiveness of local firms.

• Private Sector Challenges: Moldovan companies face significant barriers in customs, tax, licensing, inspections, and competition. These issues are exacerbated by inconsistent regulations, lack of transparency, and insufficient public-private dialogue.

• Policy Recommendations: The report provides both short-term and long-term recommendations to address these issues, focusing on legal and regulatory reforms, improved governance, and enhanced institutional capacity.

Key Information

I. Current Economic Performance and Development Model

• Moldova's economy has been consumption and remittance-driven, leading to limited growth and job creation.
• The Moldova 2020 strategy seeks to shift toward an export-oriented model to increase productivity and attract foreign investment.
• Improving the business environment and access to finance are central to this strategy.

II. Priority Policy Areas

1. Customs Administration

   • Problems: Delays, unpredictable requirements, burdensome inspections, and corruption.
   • Causes: Unclear rules, complex procedures, lack of transparency, and high discretion among customs officers.
   • Recommendations:
     • Articulate efforts in a comprehensive reform strategy focused on risk management and trade facilitation.
     • Improve public-private dialogue through a Standing Working Group.
     • Draft a new Customs Code aligned with the Revised Kyoto Convention and EU legislation.
     • Implement a risk-based inspection methodology.
     • Conduct a guillotine exercise to simplify and eliminate redundant customs orders.
     • Hire an international customs valuation expert.

2. Tax Administration

   • Problems: Inconsistent fines and penalties, inefficient dispute resolution, and corruption.
   • Causes: Unclear regulatory framework, pressure on the State Tax Service (STS) for revenue, and lack of advance rulings.
   • Recommendations:
     • Prepare and enact modifications to Law 235 and Cabinet Decision No. 1240 to ensure Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) for tax and customs legislation.
     • Clarify existing tax rules by drafting a new Tax Code.
     • Implement a risk-based audit system.
     • Establish an advanced rulings regime to provide greater certainty to taxpayers.
     • Improve public-private dialogue through a Standing Working Group.

3. Licenses, Authorizations, and Inspections

   • Problems: Multiple and overlapping requirements, inefficient procedures, and lack of transparency.
   • Causes: Complex regulatory framework, lack of coordination among agencies, and insufficient legal clarity.
   • Recommendations:
     • Adopt the Regulatory Reform Strategy 2013–2020 and its Action Plan 2013–2015.
     • Conduct an inventory of regulations and remove overlaps and duplicates.
     • Streamline inspection laws and implement a risk-based approach.
     • Upgrade the e-government portal to provide clear information on licenses and inspections.

4. Competition

   • Problems: High market concentration, abuse of dominant positions, and structural weaknesses in competition policy.
   • Causes: Barriers to market entry, lack of transparency, and political economy influences.
   • Recommendations:
     • Fully implement the new Competition Council and State Aid Law.
     • Strengthen competition frameworks and market regulations.
     • Address monopolistic practices and cartel agreements.

5. Enterprise Access to Finance

   • Problems: High borrowing costs, excessive collateral requirements, and limited access to long-term financing.
   • Causes: Low financial depth, lack of competition among banks, and poor financial information quality.
   • Recommendations:
     • Improve banking sector competition and risk management.
     • Enhance financial inclusion and access to credit.
     • Support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through better credit products and evaluation techniques.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes that reforms in the five priority areas are essential for improving the business environment and promoting private sector growth in Moldova. These reforms are expected to yield substantial benefits, including increased productivity, foreign investment, and export growth. The Moldova 2020 strategy provides a framework for these changes, and the government has shown commitment to implementing them. However, the success of these reforms will depend on effective implementation, institutional capacity, and public-private collaboration.

Key Reforms and Implementation

• The Regulatory Reform Strategy 2013–2020 is a central initiative to address business regulatory issues.
• The Customs Service (MCS) has initiated reforms but needs to expand and strengthen them.
• The State Tax Service (STS) has made progress, but further reforms in tax policy, dispute resolution, and public-private dialogue are required.
• The Ministry of Economy has been working on business regulation since 2004 and continues to do so.

These reforms aim to align Moldova's regulatory environment with international best practices, particularly those of the European Union, and to enhance competitiveness and sustainable growth.