Moldova expects a real boom in economic relations with Switzerland, the attraction of new investments, and 120 Swiss companies have already decided to invest in our country
This was stated by the Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization of Moldova, Dumitru Alaiba, following the 8th meeting of the Moldovan-Swiss intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, organized by the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, held in Chisinau. The Moldovan delegation was headed by Dumitru Alaiba, and the Swiss delegation was headed by the Secretary of State and Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of the Federal Government of Switzerland, Helene Budliger Artieda. During the work of the intergovernmental commission, issues of Moldovan-Swiss economic cooperation, trade and investment, telecommunications and cybersecurity, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, education, healthcare, education, etc. were considered. The Moldovan side expressed gratitude for the ongoing support provided by the Swiss Cooperation Office in Moldova, stimulating development in various sectors. The commission platform analyzed and discussed cooperation mechanisms in all economic sectors, and identified the main projects for mutual investment. Following the commission's work, a protocol was signed reflecting all the topics discussed. At a press conference following the meeting of the intergovernmental commission, the Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization of Moldova noted that economic relations between Moldova and Switzerland are becoming increasingly close, and the parties have a common interest in deepening and developing them. "Switzerland is certainly Moldova's main trading partner among the countries of the European Free Trade Association - EFTA (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), accounting for 81% of our trade turnover with this bloc. I am sure that we will see a real boom in our economic relations," said Dumitru Alaiba. He noted that Moldovan products are present in Swiss stores, and the implementation of the free trade agreement with the EFTA countries signed in 2023 will open up new opportunities for promoting domestic products in the markets of the association's countries. According to the document, customs duties on imported industrial products will be abolished and benefits for access to the agricultural market will be provided. The agreement also includes chapters that regulate trade in services, e-commerce, public procurement, etc. "We want to open up new opportunities for investment, which in turn will create reliable and well-paid jobs. 120 Swiss companies have already decided to invest in our country. They are represented in a wide range of industries, from the production of pharmaceuticals and the processing of vegetables and fruits to the production of electrical and electrotechnical equipment. And there is potential for growth. We have friendly relations that we value very much. We will continue to strengthen them and build a future that will bring economic and commercial benefits to both countries," said Dumitru Alaiba. "We remain open to further cooperation with Moldova in the areas discussed today at the meeting of the intergovernmental commission. The Swiss private sector is interested in the Moldovan market, so we will promote the development of the business sector - an area in which the Moldovan government has made radical changes. In this way, we want to contribute to the creation of new jobs, increase exports and establish links with other markets,” said Helene Budliger Artieda. According to the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization of Moldova, in 2023, Switzerland ranked 24th among Moldova’s trading partners in the world, with a share of 0.54% of the total trade. The volume of Moldova's foreign trade with Switzerland amounted to $69 million, a decrease of 31.1% compared to 2022, due to a halving of Moldovan exports - from $64.49 million to $32.23 million. At the same time, imports to Moldova from Switzerland increased by 3.4% over the year - to $36.7 million. Moldova had a negative trade balance with Switzerland in 2023, which amounted to $4.5 million, while a year earlier the balance was positive - $28.95 million. // 02.09.2024 – InfoMarket.
