Chamber of Commerce issued ATA Carnet for first satellite of Moldova

Chisinau, 14 May /MOLDPRES/- The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Moldova has issued for the first time the ATA Carnet for nanosatellite of the Space Technology Center of the Technical University of Moldova (CNTS of UTM). The ATA carnet, as a customs document that facilitates the temporary export of goods was requested by the Technical University in connection with the need for functional testing of the nanosatellite for launch into space.

Based on the Carnet, the TUMnanoSAT nanosatellite and the necessary accessories are transported to Romania, where they are subjected to testing operations by the Institute of Space Sciences in Romania, and subsequently reset in Moldova. The activity is carried out within an international program.

"Thus, the Space Technology Center of the Technical University of Moldova was selected by the Japan Aerospace Agency (JAXA) and the United Nations Office for Space (UNOOSA) for the fourth round of the KiboCUBE Program for the launch of this year's TUMnanoSAT nanosatellite by The International Space Station (ISS) through the Japanese experimental module JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD). This satellite is developed in accordance with the international CubeSat standard with educational and research missions. Thus, the launch into space of the first satellite of the Republic of Moldova in the program will have a major impact in improving the quality of engineering studies and the integration of the Republic of Moldova in the community of countries that develop space technologies, "said the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Each year, CCI issues about 150 ATA Carnets. However, in the context of the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of cards issued has decreased considerably. According to the International Chamber of Commerce, in 2020, more than 85 thousand ATA Carnets were issued for goods worth about 10 billion dollars compared to 2019, when 190 thousand ATA Carnets were issued for goods worth over 22 billion dollars.

The ATA carnet is an international customs document, on the basis of which goods under the temporary export and transit procedure move freely, according to a simplified customs procedure. The ATA carnet is most often requested by companies and individuals participating in fairs and exhibitions, professionals from different fields, who can move freely with professional equipment.

photo: Chamber of Commerce and Industry