11 November 2021 – Parliament adopted today in final reading the first legislative package for the digitisation of the economy. The document implements a number of key actions of the “Roadmap for boosting the digitisation of the national economy and the development of e-commerce”, prepared by the Economic Council to the Prime Minister, with the financial support of development partners (EBRD, IFC, USAID, GIZ, UK GGF).

This set of legislative amendments aims to achieve maximum impact in the short term, focusing on legislative interventions that will stimulate remote interaction between Government, Business and Consumer.

The law voted today aims to adjust 29 pieces of legislation to overcome existing constraints that limit the possibilities for remote interaction, promoting digital services and electronic identity for entrepreneurs and citizens.

Thus the voted document will allow remote registration of a company, modification of the documents of incorporation or liquidation of the business. The possibility of using electronic signatures in employment relations between employer and employee, including the signing of remote employment contracts. Unilateral recognition of qualified advanced electronic signatures issued in EU countries and the possibility to interact with Moldovan authorities at a distance for diaspora and European investors. Possibility to obtain qualified advanced electronic signatures in Moldovan consulates abroad.

The legislative changes also allow the wide use of electronic documents and the strengthening of the provisions of the Law on electronic signature and electronic document for the benefit of citizens. Introduction of electronic power of attorney in relations with public authorities. Obligation of public institutions, first of all the Public Services Agency and municipalities, to receive electronic documents and issue various documents (decisions, certificates, extracts, permits, etc.) in electronic format as a priority.

At the same time, today’s amendments will make it easier to register remotely on the public procurement portal and subsequently to carry out electronic public procurement. The use of electronic documents in other areas of importance to business, including relations with public utility companies (natural gas, electricity, water/sewerage, communications, etc.). Eliminate notification and authorisation as a personal data operator. Extending the legal forms of expression of the citizen’s consent to the processing of personal data.

The package of amendments for the digitisation of the economy was drafted by the team of experts of the Economic Council to Prime Minister Nicolae Botan, Roman Ivanov, Ilona Panurco and Sergiu Bozianu.

The adoption of this draft law provides an appropriate technological response to a series of constraints and challenges for citizens and businesses in the context of the pandemic crisis. This will ensure that the advantages of remote digital interaction can be exploited without delay, in line with best practices that have become the norm in most technologically advanced countries.

The Secretariat of the Economic Council to the Prime Minister is supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, funded by the UK Government’s Good Governance Fund.