The facilitation of trade is closely associated with economic development and movement. Any investor that comes to the Republic of Moldova orients to the export to the countries of the region. Crossborder trade should not be a barrier. That’s why it is important to adopt the Customs Code and put it into practice so as to facilitate trade. The information system of the Customs Service should be adaptable to the economic developments and more human and financial resources need to be allocated for developing it in support of the economic evolutions, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Finance Dorel Noroc stated in the first conference dedicated to international trade facilitation e-TRADECON, IPN reports.
According to the official, the information systems of a number of countries are integrated and correlate between them and this is a new trend. The efficiency of customs management with emphasis on the modernization of infrastructure and integrity of customs service employees is important.
Acting Prime Minister Aureliu Ciocoi voiced hope the event will become a good platform for communication between the development partners, the business community and the public authorities, especially in the context of the pandemic crisis. “Joining our efforts, we will be able to improve the quality of services provided to businesses, reduce costs, minimize the fraud and corruption related risks, improve the country’s competitiveness; and this event is a successful example of cooperation between public authorities and the private sector, aimed at enhancing the business climate,” said the official, noting he hopes the draft new Customs Code that was submitted to Parliament will be adopted in the variant proposed by the executive.
As Moldova has a limited market, integration into global markets is crucial and the prioritization of the expansion of the export of Moldovan goods and services is thus necessary. To encourage exports, the country should join the regional and global value chains. The facilitation of crossborder trade is on the governmental agenda.
United States Ambassador Dereck J. Hogan said that globally the companies last year faced unprecedented challenges and had to adjust to the new realities. Foreign trade was affected by the global pandemic and the citizens and companies in Moldova felt the effects of the constraints imposed by the pandemic. Before the pandemic, Moldova yearly saw a constant rise in imports and exports. Experts consider this tendency will continue after the pandemic. If Moldova manages to adjust to the regional and global economic conditions, the Moldovan goods will be sold all over the world, owing also to the support of the U.S. Government. “While e-commerce innovation is advancing, we should not forget that successful ventures often still involve the physical movement of goods. We must also examine broader supply and delivery chain issues to see what can be improved, and how. USAID has supported a comprehensive study of Moldova’s trade corridors that included recommendations to help grow Moldova’s economy. We will continue to work with the government and the private sector to implement these recommendations and help more Moldovan businesses trade internationally,” said Dereck J. Hogan.
Peter Michalko, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, noted that the constant dialogue with companies will create synergy between the private sector and decision makers from different institutions. “The Republic of Moldova is an important partner of the European Union and the Association Agreement including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (AA/DCFTA) remain a stable basis for our partnership. We are glad to see that the DCFTA is bearing fruits to Moldova. In 2020, the EU remained and consolidated its position as Moldova’s largest trading partner, accounting for around 70% of Moldovan exports. In this regard, we appreciate the efforts of the Customs Service that has been embarking on a road of modernization in the last year, despite the challenging situation caused by pandemic. The new Customs Code, developed with the EU support and in line with the EU’s Customs Code, is currently pending its final adoption by Parliament and we expect to be adopted as a priority. It will provide modern tools for trade facilitation in line with the highest international standards, which would foster trade and improve the relation between the Customs Service and business community,” said Peter Michaklo, adding the role of the customs system is as important in the implementation of the Association Agreement.
Director of the Customs Service Sergiu Burduja said the goal is to make sure the event is a modern communication and cooperation platform for the business community and for the Customs Service. In the conference, the organizers aim to undertake the most innovative practices in customs management and the standards promoted by the EU and the World Customs Organization.
The conference dedicated to international trade facilitation e-TRADECON is held on March 25 and 26.
