Moldova’s exports to Ukraine so far rose by 71.8%, while imports from this country increased by 29.7% compared with the corresponding period last year, Acting President Marian Lupu said in the opening of the Moldovan-Ukrainian Business Forum on November 8, Info-Prim Neo reports. “Ukraine is Moldova’s strategic partner and one of the most important foreign economic partners. The intensification of the high-level political dialogue between the two countries positively influence the bilateral commercial and economic relations. Over January-July alone, trade between Moldova and Ukraine increased by 35.8% compared with the same period of 2010,” said Marian Lupu. In the event, the head of the parliamentary group of Ukraine’s Supreme Rada for interparliamentary relations with Moldova Anatolie Kinah welcomed the development of the Moldovan-Ukrainian relations, saying such meetings generate new opportunities for implementing economic projects. A number of 260 joint Moldovan-Ukrainian companies operate in Moldova. The participants in the forum voiced hope that the event will give a new stimulus to the commercial and economic relations between Moldova and Ukraine. The business forum was organized at the suggestion of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Ukraine and the National Congress of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Moldova, with support from the Embassy of Ukraine in Moldova. The event is taking place in Chisinau during November 8-11.