Moldova Probes Airport Lease, Seeks New Bidders
The Moldovan Railway and Chisinau International Airport will remain in state ownership, despite ongoing challenges in finding the most effective management for these public assets.
Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spînu acknowledged this during a recent interview on Moldova 1's "În Context" program. He emphasised the government's ongoing search for qualified individuals to lead these crucial enterprises.
Spînu assured viewers that competitions to fill the director positions at both the Moldovan Railway and Chisinau International Airport will be announced soon. He underscored the government's commitment to improving efficiency in the public sector, while acknowledging the limitations of privatisation for certain industries, particularly railways.
"The private sector generally manages businesses more efficiently," Spînu said. "However, the current state of the railway sector necessitates public control to ensure essential infrastructure remains accessible for various companies. In the coming years, we aim to reform the sector to attract more private investment in utilising the railway infrastructure."
Regarding the Chisinau International Airport, Spînu addressed the recent controversy surrounding a previous tender process for leasing unused space. He explained that concerns about potential irregularities led to the tender's cancellation. To ensure a more transparent process, the airport has published the tender documents in both Romanian and English. Additionally, letters will be sent to various European companies familiar with the airport, aiming to attract a wider pool of qualified bidders for the new tender scheduled for the end of March.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
