On May 21 a network of 32 business associations and chambers in Moldova rolled out their second National Business Agenda effort supported by CIPE. In contrast to their first effort, the advocacy environment for Moldova has changed radically with the election of a pro-reform government. While the doors of government are now open for private sector input – Moldovan President Ghimpu delivered opening remarks, and the Minister of Finance, the Chair of the Parliamentary Budget and Finance Committee, and the Governor of the Central Bank were all in attendance – it’s clear that many challenges and hurdles remain ahead for both the reform government and the business community.
Like many of its European neighbors Moldova, already one of Europe’s poorest countries, suffered greatly from the recent financial crisis and global recession. Many service sector companies have shuttered their doors, and export markets have tightened their consumption of Moldovan exports. Thanks to an unreformed civil service that resists attempts at reform, the new government must battle the consequences of recession with few resources and in an environment resistant to their restructuring efforts. Nonetheless, the National Business Agenda (NBA) launch meeting was a milestone in private sector – government relations.
The Moldovan NBA process itself has become more professional and more responsive, contributing to a new productive public-private dialogue. The network of associations adopted a new strategy that tightened its policy focus to three areas that the business community felt were vital for its short to mid-term survival: customs reform, fiscal policy, and access to finance. A series of association working groups worked hard over the last several months to put together the three policy papers that made up this year’s agenda.
Their efforts have paid off already, as prior to the official launch working group members were already working in partnership with their counterparts in government to advocate the adoption of NBA recommendations into draft legislation going before parliament in the next ten days. It hard to say what the final legislation will look like, but the NBA network is committed to tracking the legislation, and watch-dogging the implementation of their measures.
Most notable for CIPE’s democracy mission is the growing sophistication of the NBA network, which is developing a core group of committed leaders and a policy development structure that harmonizes the various strengths of its diverse membership. NBA networkers have taken ownership of this process and are taking the steps necessary to build a sustainable network that can advocate and work with government in good times, and protect the interests of business in bad times.
Published Date: May 21, 2010