The national wine brand and Moldova as a tourist destination were presented at a reception in Japan that involved eight Japanese companies importing wine from Moldova. Sommeliers and amateurs, officials and businessmen tasted Moldovan wines made by 21 vineries, IPN reports.

Moldova’s Ambassador to Japan Vasile Bumacov, in the opening of the event, said out of pleasure he organizes activities to promote the most competitive product of Moldova – the wine. The reception is a celebration of the work of the eight importing Japanese companies that accepted the embassy’s invitation and promote the Moldovan wines in Japan.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Kenji Yamada said Japan and the Republic of Moldova have close ties of friendship, especially in the agrarian sector. He noted he was honored to taste the wines of Moldova.

“We want to ensure the diversification of export markets, to minimize dependence on traditional markets and to promote our county as a tourist destination as the wine is the main product of Moldova’s tourist offer,” stated Diana Lazăr, vice director of the Moldova Competitiveness Project.

Moldova’s wine exports rose by 75% on average during the past two years. Wine exports to Japan increased constantly, amounting to 276,000 liters in 2018. The average export price was US$ 2.9 per liter, it is said in a press release of the Moldova Competitiveness Project.