The Ministry of Economy and the EU Delegation to Moldova on October 21 launched a technical assistance project designed to support the implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA). The two-year project has a budget of €2.3 million, IPN reports.

On this occasion, Deputy Prime Ministry and Minister of Economy Stephane Bride thanked the EU for the permanent assistance provided to Moldova, saying this is the second technical assistance project that supports the implementation of the DCFTA.

To help Moldova implement this agreement, the EU will offer €30 million in financial support in 2014-2016. The first tranche of €8 million has been already disbursed. The second tranche in the same amount will be allocated in 2015.

“We think the project will help the general public to realize the DCFTA opportunities and this will result in a rise in exports and in the creation of new jobs,” said the Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola.

The project will provide assistance in improving quality infrastructure, assessing compliance and testing products. Effort will be made for the tests done in Moldova to be recognized on the EU market. A series of public events will be staged for people and representatives of the business community with a view to promoting the DCFTA and its benefits. The beneficiaries will be assisted in the process of establishing international relations in all the areas of quality infrastructure.

Within the project, there will be created four new business incubators in rural areas. The first two incubators will be opened in Cahul and Calarasi in 2016. A new national investment attraction and export promotion strategy will be worked out for 2016- 2020.