Calmic: Huge Investment Opportunities Await Qatari Investors in Moldova

Doha, February 08 (QNA) - Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Octavian Calmic has underscored the availability of huge investment opportunities that Qatari investors can undertake in Moldova, especially as his country connects between Eastern and Western Europe. In an interview with Al Sharq newspaper published today, the Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova praised the distinguished bilateral relations between his country and Qatar, pointing out that these relations have witnessed remarkable growth at all levels. "There is a need to boost and advance economic cooperation between Moldova and Qatar," he said, pointing out that trade between the two countries reached US$251.9 in the first 11 months of 2016, a 29.5 percent decrease when compared to the same period in 2015. The Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister stressed that his country was ready to provide proper facilities to create a strong economic partnership with Doha, adding that there were five Qatari companies registered with the State Chamber of Registration of the Republic of Moldova. Calmic said that his country has a Council dedicated to the promotion of investment projects of national importance, adding that Moldovan government treats foreign and domestic investors equally and that Moldovan legislation and legal framework are the same for foreign investment. The Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova noted the air services agreement signed recently between the State of Qatar and Moldova, adding that the signing of this agreement enhances Moldovan air services market and diversifies airline services provided by Chisinau International Airport, and at the same time facilitates access to southwest Asia markets. "The agreement will also promote economic cooperation and promote investment climate between the two countries, as well as create a legal basis for regular flights between the two countries." Regarding the tourism sector in his country, Calmic described it as dynamic and promising sector in which investors can invest heavily, adding that it could be further developed if properly handled by investors, especially in the field of infrastructure. The Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister pointed to obstacles such as visa requirement and the absence of direct flights between the two countries, hoping to see the annulation of visa requirement for Qatari nationals and the launch of direct flights between Chisinau and Doha. In the education and health fields, Calmic said that all internal procedures to sign a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in higher education, scientific research and health sector between the two countries have been completed, adding that they are waiting for an opportunity to sign a memorandum at a high-level official meeting. (QNA)