The initialing of the Association Agreement, which envisions the creation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between Moldova and the EU, is the economic event of 2013, while its signing may become the main economic event of next year, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar, IPN reports.

Asked if the Moldovan economy is ready to take the opportunities offered by this agreement and to cope with the risks, Valeriu Lazar said they know what they have to do. “All the actions were detailed in the roadmap for improving competitiveness, which was drafted by the Government over the last few months with the participation of all the sides, including representatives of the business sector. I would name this roadmap a strategy for complying with the new conditions,” he stated.

According to Valeriu Lazar, the agricultural sector will have to deal with the greatest competition on the European market. “We will invest money to increase the competitiveness of the agrifood and industrial products by modernizing the equipment of companies and by implementing advanced production and marketing technology. We must also invest in people, in their education and qualifications so that they can use the new technology,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

He also said that exports have increased. The growth rate of exports is higher than the growth rate of imports though the balance of trade remains negative.

As regards the economic forecast for 2014, Valeriu Lazar said that though it will be hard to ensure a growth of 8% as this year, a growth of 4-5% is possible.