The tendencies to increase trade with Romania could persist in 2008 and this would be logical, says Minister of Economy and Trade Igor Dodon. Asked by the press if the political confrontations between Moldova and Romania will not be an impediment to maintaining the 2007 tendencies in 2008 too, Igor Dodon said that if there is economic interest, the trade will be expanded despite the political developments. “We should leave the politicians to do their job. As regards the economic and commercial developments, I am confident that the relations with the European Union and Romania as an EU member state will develop.” Dodon said that the trade with our neighbour is increasing, as the official statistics show. He stressed that the prices of certain products in Romania are higher so that the Moldovan producers are interested in exporting to this country. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Moldova’s exports to Romania over January-November 2007 rose by 40.7%, Romania being Moldova’s second export partner after Russia. The Moldovan exports to Romania over this period totalled 190.3 million USD. Imports from Romania added up to 397.1 million USD, a 26% increase compared with the corresponding period of 2006.