On 14 November 2017, at Tekwill, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization (ODIMM) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), IOM Moldova launched the updated Business Portal, which is designed for Moldovan entrepreneurs and business consultants providing step-by-step information on the opening, launching and development of a business on both banks of the Nistru River. The event was opened by Ms. Iulia Costin-Iabanji, Secretary General of State, Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure of the Republic of Moldova, Mr. Genadie Cretu, Migration and Development Program Coordonator, IOM Moldova, and Mr. Petru Gurgurov, Acting Head of ODIMM. “Small and medium-sized enterprises face a series of obstacles in the Republic of Moldova, among which the most important is access to information. Business Portal is to meet the needs of Moldovan entrepreneurs to cover the information gap and is an important tool to raise awareness, improve the knowledge and business skills of managers and employees” said Ms. Costin-Iabanji. Mr. Ghenadie Cretu stressed that the portal will become an efficient and useful platform for Moldova's small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as a bridge of trust between the two banks of the Nistru River. “Access to information and innovation is the engine of an economy. In this context, the Business Portal is meant to become an important link”. Ms. Petru Gurgurov, interim director of ODIMM, stressed that “This platform wanted to facilitate access of potential entrepreneurs and SMEs to information, starting with how to open a business in the Republic of Moldova and continuing with the tools to support one’s business”. Professionals in the field were also invited to the event. Mr. Andrei Crigan, Gateway&Partners representative (consulting company) and General Director of the Moldova Business People Association (MBPA), Mr. Constantin Vieru, President of Moldova-Romania Bilateral Trade and Industry Chamber, both reiterated the importance of the Portal, expressing hope that it will give added value to the business environment. Ms. Irina Polisciuc, business provider, Dnestr Enterprise, Tiraspol, especially appreciated the accessibility of the portal for entrepreneurs from the left bank of the Nistru River, who will be able to benefit from reliable information, including in Russian. Young entrepreneur Ms. Daniela Dohotaru-Gritcan was delighted by the utility of the portal, mentioning that “Although Business Portal offers the necessary information, it also takes talent, creativity and a bit of luck to have a successful business”. www.businessportal.md was originally created with the support of the Norwegian Government. The Portal was updated thanks to the “Supporting the implementation of the migration and development component of the EU-Moldova Mobility Partnership and harnessing its benefits for the residents of the Transnistria Region of the Republic of Moldova” project, which is implemented by IOM Moldova and funded by the European Union. For more details, please contact Ms. Ana Ciurac at aciurac@iom.int To see more pictures from the event, please click here.