MOLDOVA AND CHINA TO START NEGOTIATIONS ON FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IN FEBRUARY

Moldovan Minister of Economy and Infrastructure Chiril Gaburici met Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China Zhang Yinghong on Thrusday. The sides agreed that the first round of talks on signing of a free trade agreement between Moldova and China will be held on February 11-12.

According to the Ministry, its head expressed confidence that the document’s entry into force will enhance trade relations between the two countries, will raise the access of Moldovan goods to the Chinese market and will attract investments to Moldova.

Gaburici thanked the Chinese authorities for permanent support, provided to Moldova, and active help in developing the Moldovan economy especially in such key fields as informational technologies, transport, in the energy sector.

Zhang Yinghong appreciated the openness of the Ministry of Economy to conducting of negotiations, pointing at the importance of the free trade agreement for the Chinese side as well. He said that Moldova is a reliable partner for China, inviting to participate in the first international exhibition of imported goods and services China International Import Expo, which will be held in Shanghai on November 5 through 10. It was organized by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government with the support of the World Trade Organization, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

Infotag’s dossier: In 2017, Moldova and China marked the 25th anniversary of bilateral relations. According to the State Registration Chamber, in Moldova there are 84 enterprises with Chinese capital totaling 5 million lei. The volume of trade between two states in January-November 2017 exceeded US$468.74 million, growing by one-third over a year.