Republic of Moldova should promote ecological education and information and provide fiscal and financial facilities to use the ecological technologies, which increase energy efficient and reduce country's dependency on external energy sources. This is the conclusion of the study on financial tools available to promote eco-technologies, presented today in Chisinau, within a round table organized by the Ministry of Environment in partnership with the UNDP/GEF Project for promoting Environmental Fiscal Reform.

The study entitled "Analysis of the financial tools' market to facilitate the eco-technologies" was carried out to analyze the current situation regarding the use of eco-technologies in the Republic of Moldova, and to formulate proposals to change energy consumption practices in the households' sector, transportation, industry and agriculture, and wider information of people about the benefits of using eco-technologies.

The recommendations of the study include:

-    promotion of scientific research in the eco-technologies area;

-    continuous training of public officials on how to use efficiently energy sources in public institutions;

-    information and awareness campaigns on use of eco-technologies and renewables;

-    promotion of eco-technologies use in households' sector;

-    subsidizing the use of equipment and transportation units, and production with reduced use of fuel

"Eco-technology - green economy - is the area with most of innovations, and the research for development represents a very important aspect of this area. The Republic of Moldova has a big potential to use renewables and solutions provided by eco-technologies. The fiscal fostering to use renewables and to increase the budget for environment protection may help the country to respond to the environmental global challenges and sustainable development of Moldova", mentioned Dorin Dușciac, the Deputy Minister of Environment within the round table.

The participants of the round table got familiarized with the practical aspects of applying fiscal allowances and tools for financial incentives to use eco-technologies. The recommendations formulated by the authors of the study will serve as basis for developing the sector policies to promote energy efficiency and environment protection. As well, training programs should be developed for public officials regarding the energy efficiency and the wider use of eco-technologies in public institutions and buildings.

According to the Manager of the UNDP/GEF Project, Mihai Roșcovan, the round table of today is the first event from the period of preparing the Environmental Fiscal Reform. "The Project will facilitate the organization of other events and the launch of new products, such as the study on organic agriculture, the study on system of pollution taxes, as well as the reform of the system of payments for the use of natural resources", mentioned Mr. Roșcovan. "As well, we will hold debates regarding the reorganization of the National Ecological Fund. The Project will also support the development of an adequate institutional framework for the Environmental Fiscal Reform - involving all the branches of power - presidency, government, local administration, academic environment, civil society, and business community. We wait for feedback and involvement of all stakeholders of this process."

The Study "Analysis of the market of financial tools to facilitate the eco-technologies in the Republic of Moldova" was carried out within the Project "Strengthening capacities to undertake Environmental Fiscal Reform to meet national and global environmental priorities", implemented by UNDP Moldova with the financial support of Global Environment Facility. The objective of the project is to consolidate the capacities of implementing the Environmental Fiscal Reform, which will produce increased environmental benefits at the national and global levels, by adopting some subsidies, taxes, fines, selected fees, and other adequate fiscal tools.