Moldova signs Agreement for participation in EU Single Market Programme; Moldovan president says programme to enhance access to European markets

Chisinau, 8 September /MOLDPRES/ - Moldova has signed the Agreement on association for participation in the European Union Single Market Programme. By joining this Programme, Moldova made one more step to the Single European Market. The programme is conceived to prepare both the private sector and the state’s institutions for the European rules and standards, providing a more coherent framework of financing for strengthening the capacities of accessing the Single European Market.         

President Maia Sandu said that the Programme would enhance the access to European markets for the Moldovan products and services. According to the head of state, the signing of the Agreement represents an important step on the way of Moldova’s gradual integration in the EU’s Single Market and a firm commitment for the country’s modernization and aligning with the European norms. ‘’A competitive and strong economy means well-paid jobs at home and higher living standards for the citizens,’’ Maia Sandu said.   

According to the Economic Development and Digitalization Ministry (MDED), the signing of the Agreement will allow Moldova to enhance the capacities and standards of accordance with the rule of EU’s domestic market, to consolidate the competitiveness and sustainability of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), promote new business opportunities and develop industrial value chains, ensure an efficient work of the trade through the implementation of high-quality European and international standards and ensure a high level of consumers’ protection and products’ safety.    

The Single Market Programme supports and promotes a culture of innovation through the development of industrial ecosystems able to encourage the creation of startups and the development of the present SMEs, especially through the promotion of new business models, including within European partnerships between clusters and business organizations. Moldova expressed interest in participating in two components of the programme: market supervision and competitiveness of SMEs.   

Also, besides the access to financial instruments, the accession to the Programme will provide access to expertise, experience and good practices of other states beneficiaries of the Programme. 

Photo: MDED