
Moldova will sign a free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) on June 26-27.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization Dumitru Alaiba announced this, noting that it was mentioned during his meeting with the Swiss delegation in the framework of participation in the annual meeting of the EBRD Governors in Samarkand (Uzbekistan). The signing of a free trade agreement with EFTA during the EFTA Ministerial Meeting in Schaan, Liechtenstein, June 26-27, was the main topic of discussion. The parties also discussed the bilateral agenda, including the ministry's economic priorities of attracting investment, improving access to international markets and creating high-paid jobs. As InfoMarket news agency reported earlier, Moldova and European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, reached consensus on signing a free trade agreement. Signing the agreement with EFTA will mean that Moldovan goods can be traded without taxes and tariffs in Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, countries with one of the richest economies in the world, and Moldova will be in a better position to negotiate other free trade agreements with other countries, which may lead to new opportunities for exports and economic growth. The Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization states that signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Moldova and EFTA countries is a necessary step for strengthening bilateral cooperation between the signatory countries, efficient cooperation based on continuation and development of mutually beneficial and long-term cooperation of all parties. The Agreement will provide better opportunities for Moldovan exports and reduce customs duties on goods imported from EFTA, which may encourage more companies from these countries to invest in Moldova. Moldovan exports to the EFTA market in 2022 totaled $66.7 million, while imports from there totaled $56.14 million // 17.05.2023 – InfoMarket