The Republic of Moldova supports the efforts to develop cooperation within the One Belt and One Road Initiative and encourages the promotion of partnerships that enable the states from the region to obtain benefits from economic globalization, Prime Minister Pavel Filip stated in the Tbilisi Belt and Road Forum 2017. The Premier noted that this event is an important platform for discussions on the enhancement of economic cooperation between states and strengthening of regional and international trade development, IPN reports.

According to the Government’s press service, Pavel Filip said there are a number of initiatives designed to ensure interconnection between states, to create transport corridors and to remove the bureaucratic barriers to trade. “The interconnection of transport infrastructure is a fundamental element for the sustainable development of the region and our countries. Thus, the transport infrastructure of the One Belt and One Road Initiative remains one of the common major tasks for which concrete measures are taken to restore infrastructure, including of the main national roads of the Republic of Moldova,” stated Pavel Filip.

In this connection, the Premier noted that the Government of Moldova is preoccupied with the modernization and development of the national economy, including by implementing good international practices to attract investments and promote the national products. He invited the businessmen to invest in the Republic of Moldova because it offers a series of advantages, including the possibility of exporting both to the West and to the East. Moldova signed Free Trade Agreements with the European Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Turkey and within GUAM and CEFTA and these offer access to a market with about 880 million consumers.

Pavel Filip said the Moldovan authorities support the development of electronic trade and the national policies in the field were adjusted to the Community acquis. In 2018, Moldova takes over the presidency of GUAM and will thus make effort for the Organization’s Transport Corridor to be developed and applied and to be integrated into the One Belt and One Road Initiative.

The Tbilisi Belt and Road Forum 2017 involves about 1,000 representatives from over 50 countries and international organizations.