The exports will continue to rise this year, though at a lower pace. The Economy Ministry projected that the exports will grow by 10%, Inga Ionesii, head of the Ministry’s Commercial Policy Division, said in a news conference, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. The Ministry worked out an action plan for removing the tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, which was endorsed by the Government. The plan will encourage the export-import transactions. The coming into force of the Protocol to the Free Trade Agreement with the CEFTA countries in 2011, whereby the taxes on agrifood products were annulled, may stimulate the rise in exports. The companies will be able to increase the supplies to the Balkan Countries. The negotiations on the creation of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Moldova and the EU will be a good signal for the potential investors. Currently, there are implemented a series of investment projects that will diversify the national products intended for export and will enhance their competitiveness, said Inga Ionesii. Moldova’s exports in 2011 increased by 44.1% compared with 2010, to US$2.2 billion. Imports rose by 34.7%. The exports to the EU member states represented 49% of the total exports, while to the CIS countries – 41.4%. The balance-of-trade deficit last year was US$2.9 billion. The Economy Ministry said such a large deficit is due to the fact that Moldova imports energy resources, raw material for industry and modern equipment.