The commercial-economic relations between Moldova and the Czech Republic develop dynamically. Trade with the Czech Republic in 2012 rose by 15%. Moldova’s exports to this country increased by 50%. The figures were made public by acting Deputy Minister of Economy Octavian Calmic, who chairs the commission for Moldovan-Czech economic cooperation on behalf of Moldova, in the end of the fourth meeting of the commission. The event was held in Chisinau on March 19-20, IPN reports.

The meeting centered on the cooperation priorities in implementing the industrial policies, especially in creating and developing industrial parks. The sides discussed the creation of a common energy market within the European Energy Community. An aspect of the discussion was the transfer of the Czech experience in supporting small and medium-sized companies by the state, of good micro-finance practices. “In autumn, a group of Moldovan experts will go to Prague to present the investment opportunities offered by Moldova. We hope to start cooperating in implementing investment projects by 2014,” said Octavian Calmic.

The commission’s co-chairman on behalf of the Czech Republic Milan Hovorca, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, said that the Czech Republic, as an EU member state, supports Moldova in its European integration aspirations. He stressed that the Czech side is ready to pass on their European integration experience to Moldova. According to him, the rise in Moldova’s exports to the Czech Republic is a proof of the competitiveness of the Moldovan goods.

Trade between Moldova and the Czech Republic in 2012 totaled US$81.9 million, up 15.39% on 2011. By the volume of trade, the Czech Republic is the 16th largest commercial partner of Moldova. Exports came to US$16.9 million, an increase of 49.9% on a year before. Imports amounted to US$65 million, up 8.9% on 2011.