Ludmila Katlabuga and Pranvera Castrati
CEFTA is a regional economic cooperation framework that facilitates trade, reduces trade barriers and promotes the approximation of rules and procedures to European Union standards. CEFTA currently includes the Republic of Moldova, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
During the discussion it was also emphasized that in recent years CEFTA has expanded its role and functions as a practical framework for regional cooperation, helping the participating States to strengthen their institutional capacity, to bring their regulations closer to the European Union standards and to ensure better conditions for the movement of goods. In this context, the Republic of Moldova seeks to make the best use of the available instruments to support exporters and increase the efficiency of trade in agricultural products and foodstuffs.
“Moldovan products enter the European market and are in demand by consumers, which encourages us to accelerate the application of European norms. The sector is investing, adapting and adjusting its activity to these requirements. We want Moldova to be a predictable and reliable partner in regional cooperation,” Minister Ludmila Catlabuga said.
The discussion also touched upon tools that can make trade within CEFTA faster and more predictable for economic operators, including digitalization of processes, electronic exchange of data and certificates between competent authorities, as well as regional solutions that can contribute to simplifying procedures applied in agri-food trade.
Logos Press Note . A very friendly dialog between the head of MAIA and a high-ranking CEFTA official took place at a time when the Moldovan government is preparing a decision on the de facto exemption of sugar imports from the free trade regime with CEFTA countries. Curiously, did the CEFTA participant in the dialog know about the forthcoming decision of the Moldovan Cabinet of Ministers?
