About 70 per cent of Moldova's exports reach EU

Chisinau, 19 February /MOLDPRES/- Prime Minister Ion Chicu attended an event marking 5 years since implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) between Moldova and the EU, the government's communication and protocol department has reported.

The event was organized by the European Business Association (EBA) and brought together several European officials, development partners, representatives of diplomatic staff, Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure, management of the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment, National Food Safety Agency, Customs Service and dozens of economic agents in the country, including Transnistria.

The discussions were focused on opportunities and challenges for the private sector during the implementation of the DCFTA.

The prime minister said that with the signing of the Agreement "our goods no longer need a visa to go to the EU", for which the government is grateful to the EU. At the same time, about 70% of exports go to the European Union, with over 1,800 exporting companies in the EU out of about 2,500 local exporting agents.

"We need partners all over the world. The figures show how much we can do when we learn and we are not afraid of change. It is important our exports to the EU are supplemented by goods with a higher added value, and at present, agricultural matter prevails to the detriment of processed agri-food products, especially of animal origin ”, he said.

Chicu also approached the challenges that need to be handled wisely, the most dangerous being youth migration: “Moldova has energetic and educated young people - the country invests in their education and health, but as they get older they leave. We need to work out and implement programs that can convince young people to stay in Moldova and get involved in modernizing the country. I am asking for EU support in the competition for labor resources on the money of Moldovans, ”added the prime minister.