OREANDA-NEWS. March 31, 2011. Their total volume for the whole time of the free economic zones’ work exceeded USD 128.7 million, according to Moldova’s Ministry of Economy.

The Expo-Business-Chisinau free economic zone accounted for USD 49 million of the total volume of investments, Ungheni-Business - USD 31.4 million, Taraclia - USD 15.1 million, Tvardita - USD 15.1 million, Valkanes - USD 11 million, Balti - USD 6.7 million and Otaci-Business - USD 3.1 million.

Compared to the year of 2000 (USD 18.8 million), the volume of investments obtained by Moldova’s free enterprise zones by the end of 2010 grew 6.8 times. Moldova has 7 free enterprise zones working.

As of January 1 this year, 159 residents were registered on their territory. 26 new residents were selected in 2010 during 21 contests. 14 residents were excluded from the free enterprise zones in 2010 for different infringements or at their own will. 38 residents had their permissions for the right of activity withdrawn in 2003-2010 due to the failure to meet the contract obligations, to pay duties and to the infringement of the requirements set by the zones’ administration.

The number of free enterprise zones’ employees as of January 1 this year totaled 5,177 people, up 1.7 times against 2009. Most workers – 1,846 people – are employed at the Ungheni-Business free enterprise zone. 1,555 people work at the Balti zone, 1,011 – at the Expo-Business-Chisinau free enterprise zone.