START Enterprise: Moldovans might launch businesses from their phones, without prior approvals

Citizens of Moldova might start a business directly from their phones, without having to get permits, authorizations or approvals in advance, under a mechanism proposed to support small businesses. The initiative, called START Enterprise, was presented by Economic Development and Digitalization Minister Claudiu Nasui.

According to the minister, the reform aims to reduce bureaucracy from the bottom up, starting with small entrepreneurs and extending to larger companies. Thus, people who want to start a home-based business or sell products online could begin their activities without prior administrative procedures.

“Do you want to start a home-based business and sell online? No problem, you will be able to do it directly from your phone. You can start immediately, without approvals, authorizations or permits. We call this START Enterprise,” Claudiu Nasui wrote.

The minister says the initiative involves changing the way economic activities are regulated. Instead of requiring approvals before an activity begins, authorities would carry out inspections afterward, while the existing rules would remain in force.

“We are not waiting to rewrite every rule; instead, we are changing the logic of regulations: you no longer ask for permission beforehand, but are inspected afterward,” the official said.

Under the proposal, small businesses operating below the value added tax (VAT) threshold might start their activities without additional administrative obligations. If the rules are violated, penalties would be imposed during inspections.

Another component of the initiative concerns the simplification of accounting records and tax reporting. The minister says that taxes would be calculated automatically, without entrepreneurs having to employ an accountant or submit tax returns.

“You do not even need to keep accounting records or file reports with the tax authorities. The tax is calculated automatically, without an accountant and without tax returns. Simple and clear,” Claudiu Nasui stated.

The initiative also provides for the transposition of European legislation for small household producers, following a model applied in France. According to the minister, producers would have to comply with basic, verifiable rules, without being required to get prior approvals before starting their activities.

The official notes that reducing administrative barriers would allow more people to test business ideas and find out more quickly whether they can become viable.