Free Trade Agreements
The Republic of Moldova is an emerging market economy in the heart of Europe, bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east and south. The country is a member of the World Trade Organization since 2001; it’s the first ex-Soviet state to join this international club. Moldova also benefits from free or preferential trade with 43 countries. Among trade associations and partnerships Moldova has subscribed to, mind the most important ones:
- DCFTA - the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement: 28 Member States
- CEFTA - the Central European Free Trade Agreement: North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, Moldova
- GUAM Free Trade Agreement: Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova
- BSEC - Black Sea Economic Cooperation: Albania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova
- CIS Free Trade Agreement: Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
- Free Trade Agreement with Turkey
- The Republic of Moldova also benefits from the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences.
These economic-trade arrangements allow Moldova resident companies to access markets that bring together more than 880 million potential customers.
The Republic of Moldova is also negotiating with the People’s Republic of China and EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) to sign similar accords.
The DCFTA is based on the following principles
- Liberalized exchanges of goods and services
- Free export of labor
- Lower duties
- None or low non-tariff or technical barriers
- Reformation and modernization of economies
- Harmonization of Moldova’s legislation with the legislation and regulations enforced in the EU.
Foreign trade of the Republic of Moldova in 2020
Top 10 countries for Moldovan exports
| Country | Suma(USD) | % |
|---|---|---|
| Romania | 706.697,55 | 28,44 |
| Germany | 225.608,57 | 9,08 |
| Federation Russian | 216.746,95 | 8,73 |
| Italy | 213.714,59 | 8,60 |
| Turkey | 171.700,72 | 6,91 |
| Poland | 109.764,00 | 4,42 |
| Czech Republic | 80.461,43 | 3,24 |
| Ukraine | 69.485,33 | 2,80 |
| Belarus | 65.878,28 | 2,65 |
| Switzerland | 61.397,71 | 2,47 |
| Bulgary | 58.185,28 | 2,34 |
| Other | 20,20 |
Source: National Statistical Bureau
Top 10 groups of goods exported from Moldova in 2019 (USD)
| Nr. | Produs | Suma(USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Machinery, electric devices and electronics, and spare parts to them; recorders and broadcasting equipment (sound and television) | 578.382.790 |
| 2. | Oleaginous seeds and fruit; various seeds and fruit; industrial and medical plants; straw and fodder | 261.517.090 |
| 3. | Cereals | 232.129.190 |
| 4. | Alcohol and non-alcohol beverages, vinegar | 217.383.960 |
| 5. | Eatable fruit and kernel nuts; citrus and melon peels | 211.608.510 |
| 6. | Apparel and clothing accessories, other than knitted or crocheted | 182.366.550 |
| 7. | Furniture; medical-surgery furniture; lighting devices and similar items; prefabricated building materials | 153.124.150 |
| 8. | Pharmaceutical products | 97.552.300 |
| 9. | Knitted or crocheted clothing and clothing accessories | 92.642.490 |
| 10. | Preparations made of vegetables, fruit or other parts of plants | 72.828.650 |
Source: National Statistical Bureau
Useful links:
https://trade.gov.md/ro
www.dcfta.md
https://trade.ec.europa.eu/tradehelp
https://comtrade.un.org
https://www.intracen.org
https://exportpotential.intracen.org https://www.intracen.org/itc/market-info-tools/statistics-export-product-country