PHOTO Problems faced by entrepreneurs in export, solutions to facilitate trade discussed in Moldovan capital

Chisinau, 26 April /MOLDPRES/ - The problems faced by economic agents from Moldova at the export of assets and services, as well as solutions to overcome them and the facilitation of trade were discussed at a national conference on non-tariff measures and obstacles to the commerce with goods and services in Chisinau today. The event was organized by Moldova’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).     

The participants in the meeting unveiled the findings of a comprehensive survey held during more months, in which 700 companies from various regions of Moldova and 30 public sector institutions and business associations participated. The survey covered all goods production sectors and three services sectors (tourism, transport and logistics, information and communication technology).    

The findings of the survey show that that exporters of transport and logistics services are among the Moldovan enterprises worst hit by commercial obstacles, with 65 per cent of the companies from this sector reporting difficulties in the observance of the commercial regulations. At the same time, 25 per cent of exporters of tourist and IT services face burdensome regulations when exporting their services.      

CCI President Sergiu Harea said that such a survey had not been conducted in Moldova in the last ten years. ‘’This survey had the goal to assess and systematize the enterprises’ perceptions as to the barriers and obstacles in the international trade. In particular, we talk about barriers faced by exporters and importers of assets and services, among which excessive regulations and requirements, complicated procedures of getting permissive acts, procedures of control, access to relevant information for business, as well as other formalities which make difficult the cross-border commerce. The survey pointed out more problems faced by the companies. I hope that the today’s discussion will be useful and will help the entrepreneurs from Moldova enhance their export potential,’’ Sergiu Harea noted.   

Director of the ITC Country Programmes Division Ashish Shah said the exports of Moldova had constantly grown in the last years, reaching 3.1 billion dollars in 2021; yet, nevertheless, there is still much room for growth. ‘’Our analysis shows that, in the assets’ sector alone, Moldova has potential to annually increase the export by more than two billion dollars in the next five years. It includes a non-fulfilled potential of almost one billion dollars in EU alone. Nevertheless, about 1.2 billion dollars from this unexploited potential runs the risk of not being fulfilled because of various barriers of the market, such as non-tariff measures, lack of transparency of information and other commercial obstacles,’’ Ashish Shah added.         

Over 70 representatives of the public authorities, business associations, international experts, development partners, as well as of the Moldovan business environment participated in the conference. The event was focused on three topic-related panels, including the simplification of procedures of charging customs duties and crossing the border, navigation of the quality standards and harmonization of exports from the agricultural sector and enhancing Moldova’s capacities of exporting services – the IT and tourism sectors.