Moldova, Turkey agree on extension of Free Trade Agreement

Chisinau, 27 January /MOLDPRES/ - Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu in Ankara has discussed with Minister of Trade of Turkey Mehmet Muș, member of the board and treasurer of TOBB - Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey – the biggest chamber of commerce from Turkey, which includes more than one million companies. The discussions took place in the context of the attraction of Turkish investments in Moldova and promotion of Moldovan exports on the Turkish market, the parliament’s communication and public relations department has reported.     

The parliament speaker presented Moldova’s opportunities of business and investments. He highlighted the economic sectors with potential of growth and the business climate, including the fiscal facilities provided by the Moldovan authorities to foreign investors. ‘’We must do our utmost for the number of businesses to increase; only in this way, we will be able to create new jobs at home, if we want Moldova to flourish and the people to live good in their country,’’ Igor Grosu said.     

The officials agreed on the official inauguration of the Moldovan-Turkish chamber of commerce this year. The event will be accompanied by a forum of business people. During years, the Turkish companies have managed to develop successful businesses in Moldova, including in such fields as food industry, mobile telephony, infrastructure, medicine and hotel industry.     

During the discussions with the Turkish minister of trade, the sides agreed on the extension of the Free Trade Agreement, which will allow substantially increase the quotas of export for the Moldovan products to Turkey, including wine.    

Also today, the parliament speaker met President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) Serkan Kayalar. Igor Grosu thanked him for the fact that, during those over 25 years of work in Moldova, more than 400 projects worth about 400 million euros had been implemented, which improved the living standards of the Moldovans. ‘’We would like that, in the long run, we extend these projects in the diversification of the regional cooperation, with emphasis on local infrastructure projects, including for energy efficiency projects in public buildings, agriculture, training teachers,’’ the parliament speaker said.    

A parliamentary delegation led by Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu paid an official visit to Turkey on 25-27 January. The delegation was made up of lawmakers Fiodor Gagauz, Radu Marian, Sergiu Lazarencu and Larisa Novac.    

Photo: Parliament