Imports from Turkey are 7 times higher than Moldova’s exports to this country

The potential of the trade cooperation between Moldova and Turkey isn’t fully used, though positive trends have been developed. Common efforts, respecting European norms and standards, are needed to boost the collaboration. The statement was made by Vladimir Didilica, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Moldova, at a meeting of Moldovan and Turkish businessmen, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to Didilica, Turkey is a stable commercial partner. “In January-November 2011 the amount of foreign trade increased by 70% compared to the same period of 2010 and amounted to $350 million. However, Moldovan exports on the Turkish market were 7 times lower than the Turkish exports on the Moldovan market. Thus, there is room for improvement”, said Didilica. Mustafa Y. Sekin, Secretary General of the Trade Chamber of the Turkish city of Gebze, has found the meeting opportune for starting joint projects with Moldovan partners. Representatives of 8 Turkish and 30 Moldovan companies attended the event. According to Mustafa Y Sekin, Turkish companies are interested in establishing relations in the field of furniture production, processing of agricultural production and animal husbandry, metallurgic and energy industries. Fiat Ozalp, a Turkish businessman, owns a company dealing with the waste processing and biogas production. He intends to start a business in Moldova, considering the attention given to the production of energy from alternative sources. Vladimir Seleznyov, director of Infinity company, praised the Turkish businessmen for being fair, energetic and said their Moldovan counterparts could learn from them. He owns several businesses with Turkish partners in the knitwear trade and construction industries and he is eager to expand them. Turkey is the destination of 3.38% of Moldova’s exports and the source of 7.05% of its imports in 2011.