The preferential regime for the supply of Moldovan fruits and vegetables to the UK market has been extended for another 5 years.
This is provided for by the Protocol on Extension of the Agreement on Amendment No. 1 to the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the two countries signed between Moldova and the UK. The document was signed by the Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization Dumitru Alaiba and the British Ambassador to Moldova Fern Horine. Thus, the temporary liberalization of imports of products, which was introduced for a year in July 2023, is extended until 2029. We are talking about the liberalization of trade with Moldova through the complete abolition of customs duties on the import of Moldovan agricultural products. According to the document, the following products are subject to tariff quotas: table grapes, fresh apples, cherries, plums, grape juice, tomatoes and garlic. The initiative also provides for the abolition of provisions regarding restrictions on import duties on the supply of cucumbers, pumpkins, pears, apricots, peaches, etc. The protocol will help increase trade exchanges and expand economic cooperation between the two countries, as well as provide new opportunities for the development and reorientation of Moldova’s foreign trade in the context of the crisis in the region. This is expected to directly help Moldovan producers cope with the loss of key markets and transit centers for key agricultural products. Dumitru Alaiba noted that the signed document opens up enormous opportunities for Moldovan farmers - access to a market with 66 million consumers. Fern Horine, in turn, noted that the UK remains a reliable business partner, and tariff liberalization is part of a large package of measures agreed with Moldova in recent months. In addition, the UK has provided £30 million to help Moldova support Ukrainian refugees, strengthen its defenses against cyber attacks, combat pro-Russian disinformation, reform its armed forces, build a stronger economy and fight corruption. The Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization noted that the initiative to liberalize imports from Moldova comes from Great Britain as a sign of solidarity and support for Moldova and demonstrates commitment to strategic partnership, expanding cooperation between states, and also offers new opportunities for the development and reorientation of Moldova’s trade exterior in the context of the crisis in the region. According to the department, in 2023, the export of plums in Moldova increased significantly - from 45 to 495 tons, the export of table grapes doubled; the export of apples and cherries to the UK market also began. It is noted that in 2023, the UK took 19th place among Moldova’s trading partners, and the volume of foreign trade between the two countries in 2023 amounted to $115.7 million. There are 235 companies with British capital operating in Moldova. In terms of investment in authorized capital, the UK ranks 8th among the main investors in our country.// 23.05.2024 — InfoMarket.
