Moldovan entrepreneurs attend information sessions on new Free Trade Agreement with EFTA countries

Chisinau, Nov. 22 /MOLDPRES/- Over 70 entrepreneurs and export managers from companies that already have export experience or want to expand their business to the EFTA markets, participate in information sessions on the new Free Trade Agreement with EFTA states (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein).

The cycle of applied-practical seminars was launched by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova (CCI), in partnership with the OPTIM Project (Opportunities through Technologies and Innovation in Moldova), supported by the Swiss Government and implemented by Helvetas.

The sessions are held in a hybrid format (offline and online) and are moderated by subject matter experts from the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation, the National Agency for Food Safety and CCI. Participants will be informed about the advantages of the new Free Trade Agreement, the conditions for accessing the respective markets, especially for agri-food products, international contracting and legal aspects, customs procedures and export formalities, the rules of origin between the Republic of Moldova and the EFTA countries.

CCI deputy head Natalia Calenic said that the Agreement with the EFTA countries will provide free access for industrial products and a considerably improved one for domestic agricultural products. "The agreement will contribute to the strengthening of commercial-economic relations between the parties, will facilitate access to new markets and will attract new investments in the main activity sectors of the Republic of Moldova. These information sessions come to support entrepreneurs to promote local products on the international market," Calenic said.

OPTIM Project deputy head Anna Țîbuleac said that the information sessions represent a first step for the rise of local producers on international markets.

The free trade agreement with EFTA states was signed this June. It provides for the elimination of customs duties on imports of industrial products and the granting of concessions for the market access of Moldovan agricultural products.