EU to offer Moldova 2.3 million euros to implement Free Trade Agreement

Chisinau, 21 October /MOLDPRES/- The project “Technical Assistance to Support the Implementation of the DCFTA Process in Moldova” was launched at a news conference organised by the Moldovan Economics Ministry and EU Delegation in Chisinau today. The EU will provide Moldova with financial assistance worth 2.3 million euros to implement the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA).

The purpose of the technical assistance is to support the implementation of the DCFTA in the area of quality infrastructure (metrology, conformity assessment, testing and international cooperation), market surveillance (industrial and non-industrial products and services, consumer protection and food safety). The project will also back Moldova's efforts to develop and diversify exports and draw EU direct investments.

“We need visible progress in all the sectors of the Moldovan economy, in particular, in the quality infrastructure and business fields. Therefore, the project’s support is necessary, as it will significantly help Moldova enhance its institutional capacities, achieve performance in these sectors and fully turn to account opportunities offered by the EU market,” Deputy Prime Minister, Economics Minister Stephane Bride said.

In this context, Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola noted that the new project would back the implementation of key elements of the Moldova-EU Association and Free Trade Agreements, and namely, enforce reforms in the quality infrastructure field, ensure market protection, back small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), promote exports and investments and also enhance the visibility and provide more information in terms of DCFTA.

The private sector is expected to have full access to conformity assessment and certification services by the end of the project on quality structure.

As for the SMEs sector, four new business incubators will be opened in Cahul and Calarasi districts in 2016. The project will also offer 1,000 grants to start-up companies and small and medium enterprises.  

The project will finance the organisation of 20 events in EU countries (trade missions abroad, buyers missions in Moldova, participation in commercial exhibitions abroad, facilitation of cooperation ties between Moldovan entrepreneurs and their counterparts). 

A National Strategy to Attract Investments and Promote Exports for 2016-2020 will also be carried out within the project.

(Reporter V. Bercu, Editor L. Alcaza)