On July 1, 2014, the Competition Council with the support of the World Bank, organized the International Conference entitled “New competitive opportunities through the implementation of state aid policy”, during which was released Information system “State Aid Register of Moldova” (SARM).

     This system was developed with the support of World Bank will contribute to streamline the processes of notification and State aid reporting: to decrease the examination terms of notifications, to register  data on providers, beneficiaries and state aid measures, to monitor public money, etc.

     The operation principles of the Register of State aid consist in  ensuring the transparency in the initiation and granting of state aid, state aid integrated records and public access to public interest information on state aid.

     “Implementation of this information system is a source of pride for all of us, as it is the first  project of such level, SARM will contribute to the efficient use of resources from the state budget through a system of notification, monitoring and reporting on state aid measures on-line, which will allow each state aid provider to complete forms electronically, “- mentioned Viorica CARARE President of the Competition Council of the Republic of Moldova.

     This conference brought together high-level decision makers from the country, representatives of public authorities with responsibilities in legislation enforcement on State aid, in particular representatives of aid providers, representatives of central and local authorities and representatives of strategic partners of external development, the number of participants reached about 170 representatives.

     Ministry of Information Technology and Communications has participated in this project as a partner in developing SARM. In this sense, Mr. Pavel Filip, Minister of Information Technology and Communications, specified in his welcoming speech the importance of this system, which will help ensure transparency, access to relevant information in the field of state aid and effective collaboration between aid providers and the Competition Council, as and adaptation of Moldovan legislation to European Union legislation.

     The representative of the World Bank, Mrs Lily BEGIASHVILI, Head of Project investment climate in Moldova, investment advisory services, World Bank, IFC made a welcoming address to participants.

     The European Commission was represented by Mr. Nicola PESARESI, Head of Department of Policy and State aid control, the European Commission, who came with a presentation on “Current trends in the European Union modernization package on State aid”

     At the same time, during the conference were discussed ways and means of State aid granting, in particular the role of public authorities in this process. In this context, was  presented example of  Chisinau City Hall, by Mrs. Raisa COTOROBAI, Head of Internal Audit Department, who specified the need to manage public funds in terms of good governance by complying with the principles of economising, efficiency and effectiveness, legality and fairness, ethics and integrity.

     Mr. Vitalie GARGAUN, Director of Business Incubator Leova presented incubator activity and noted in his speech facility of use and implementation of  tools on  aid reporting.

     At the same time the conference participants took the opportunity to get acquainted with the experience of Croatia on the implementation of a state aid program in order to minimize distortions of competition, it was presented by Mrs Marijana Liszt, Lawyer, POSAVEC, RAÅ ICA & LISZT   from Croatia.

     The effectiveness and usefulness of the registry, were appreciated by all participants at the event, especially were observed usability and availability of the System.
     In the end, Mrs. Viorica CARARE thanked the representatives of the World Bank for being open and ready, especially for support granted by the Bank for the realization of this project. At the same time, the President of the Competition Council has mentioned the need to reinforce efforts on recovery and implementation of the legislation on state aid.