Deputy Prime Minister: 70% of Moldova's trade relations are with EU, EFTA, UK and North American countries

Chisinau, April 18 /MOLDPRES/- If in 2009, 75% of Moldova's trade was with Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), today the situation has changed - 70% of our trade relations are with the countries of the European Union, EFTA, the United Kingdom and North America. Trade with Russia currently accounts for only 3% of the total. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization Dumitru Alaiba made the statement in an exclusive interview with MOLDPRES.

"The Republic of Moldova has shown everyone that it can become a good country through daily actions and efforts. A concrete example is the major change in the direction of foreign trade over the last 15 years", Alaiba said.

He said "this improvement is mostly due to our investors, who have understood the advantages of a market with clear rules and fair competition, such as the European Union market". "Due to the size and predictability of EU rules, our businessmen have been working hard to set trade relations with importers and producers in this more than generous potential market. Entrepreneurs are looking for income, opportunities and stability, which they find in the EU market," the official said.

According to him, since the signing of the Association Agreement/DCFTA between Moldova and the EU nine years ago, exports to the EU have increased significantly, accounting for about 65% of total Moldovan exports.

"The European Union has thus become the most important economic partner of the Republic of Moldova, as a proof of this is the fact that since 2017 trade between the two sides has continued to grow steadily, and Moldovan exports to the EU have increased significantly compared to the previous period. Imports from the EU also saw an increase in 2023," Alaiba added.

The full interview can be read here.