For the first time in the last few years, exports grew at a higher pace than imports, Deputy Minister of Economy Octavian Calmac said in a news conference. Last year exports increased by 22.9%, while imports by 17.8%, Info-Prim Neo reports. “There were a number of factors that contributed to such a development, including the additional instruments for attracting investments applied in economy, like the creation of a free enterprise zone in Balti and of industrial parks, and the settling of protracted disputes with partners from the CIS,” said the official. Octavian Calmac stressed that during the last year Moldova managed to improve the quality of the exported products. There was instituted a strict product control and certification methodology. He said the problems in the relations with the trading partners should be solved as a result of permanent dialogue. The deputy minister said that the exports of live animals and meat products rose significantly last year, especially to such countries as Turkey, Libya, and Syria. “The trends in the foreign markets allow increasing the exports of agrifood products from Moldova. We must make use of these opportunities,” he stated. As to imports, Octavian Calmac said the imports into Moldova consist mainly of equipment and of raw material for the footwear and textile industry. The European Union is Moldova's main export partner. The EU member states account for 47.2% of the exports of Moldovan products. Moldova's imports from the EU represent 44.2%.