Over 70 Moldovan companies to enjoy support to observe EU quality standards

Chisinau, 2 February /MOLDPRES/ – Project: Support for quality infrastructure support framework in context of DCFTA in Moldova, funded by the European Union, was launched in Chisinau today. Accreditation Centre (CA) MOLDAC, Institute for Standardisation (IS), National Meteorological Institute (IMN), as well as Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure (MEI) will cooperate within the project as to adjust Moldova to EU standards in terms of quality of goods and services.

"This project is important for Moldova in strengthening the quality infrastructure. We are in the process of implementing the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the European Union and this project, as well as other projects carried out in cooperation with EU, provides consistent assistance in fulfilling Moldova’s bonds," said Chiril Gaburici, Minister of Economy and Infrastructure.

According to him, infrastructure of the quality "plays a very important role in ensuring excellence at all stages of production, marketing of goods and services, both on domestic market and abroad, including with EU countries." The Minister of Economy noted that efforts have been made to create best conditions for business, referring in the context of reducing permissive acts from 413 to 150, control bodies from 58 to 18, liberalisation of labour market to facilitate the access of foreigners to the labour market in Moldova.

Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova, Peter Michalko, said it to be a technical but very needed project for adjusting the quality infrastructure of Moldova to EU standards in the context of the Association Agreement (AA), which includes the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). "The European Union will continue to support the implementation of provisions of the Agreement. This project is a continuation of a large number of projects dedicated to DCFTA and quality infrastructure," said the European diplomat.

Precisely, implementation of AA and DCFTA "provides those conditions which business environment of Moldova still lacks or needs to be improved". Peter Michalko said that the project would be assisted by quality infrastructure and market surveillance officers. A project’s major part deals with private sector, primarily to be informed about EU requirements for exporting products to the European market and help private sector to incorporate those standards into its products and services.

Over 70 companies will benefit from direct support to meet EU quality standards. The authors of the project expect an active involvement of the Organization for development of small and middle – sized enterprise sector (ODSIMM) and Export and investment promotion organization (OAIPE) of Moldova, as to support the Moldovan companies so that they can implement the European quality standards and benefit from possibilities offered by FTA.

The project’s budget is €3.6 million and it is scheduled for three years.

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor A. Raileanu)