On June 7, 2012 European Business Association of Moldova with technical, logistical and financial support provided by the EU Delegation to Moldova and the EU Technical Assistance Project "Sector Budget Support on Economic Stimulation in Rural Area (ESRA)" has organized an event on Agribusiness Update on New Developments, Initiatives and Opportunities .
The Forum was moderated by Mrs. Silvia Radu, EBA President, President of Gas Natural Fenosa. She reiterated the existing demand and the importance of a permanent dialogue between the private and the public sector in order to find common and transparent solutions for the existing issues. Silvia Radu pointed out the need for changes to be made in the agrisector especially for the country's economic and social development.
In his opening statement Mr. Vasile Bumacov, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic Moldova focused on good experiences of neighbouring countries like Poland in the context of accession and the way they were adjusting and reforming its agriculture sector for becoming a member of the EU. "Moldova should learn the lesson from the experience of such countries under the EU integration process. Moldovan farmers and food-processors should be aware of the fact that the future requires more efforts to stabilise and increase the Moldovan exports. Trade liberalization implies a radical change of standards and food safety requirements resulting on the one hand from the WTO membership of Russia as well as on the other hand from the soon finalised Free Trade Agreement with Europe.
In his statement H.E. Dirk Schuebel, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Moldova, was referring to "The major objective of the European Commission's agricultural and rural development policies, namely to provide the necessary tools to foster sustainable growth", formulated by Mr Dacian Ciolos, EC Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, summarising the EU policies for agricultural and rural development at the Coldiretti Conference in Rome last November, 2011 - and how this affects the association process between Moldova and the EU. The European Union is committed to continue supporting in aligning its policies with the EC's EU Rural and Agricultural Development Policy Strategic Guidelines and this commitment will be reflected in the future National and Regional Support Programme towards Moldova including the Eastern Partnership Programme.
The Vice-Minister of Economy of the Republic Moldova, Mr Octavian Calmac, informed about the negotiations on a "Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the EU and Implications on the Agro Sector. With almost 50% of its exports going to EU member countries, the EU - Moldova Free Trade Agreement is expected to be signed in 2013, and will bring benefits to the country, along with major challenges.
Mrs Speranta Olaru, Project Manager at EU Delegation to Moldova presented an EU online business support tool: the "EU Export Help Desk". She put particular emphasis to indispensable information for small and medium entrepreneurs in the agri - food chain for developing and utilizing export opportunities to EU states.
Mrs Sigrid Giencke, EU ESRA Project, international Fruit & Vegetable Marketing Expert informed about the development status of the Fruit & Vegetable Wholesale Market Investment Project - Chisinau. At the base of comprehensive retail and whole sale surveys the real demands for this long outstanding infrastructure element has been determined. The expert accentuated the "Improvement of food quality and hygiene conditions in food trade" and what very positive effect a fast implementation of such a Whole Sale Investment Project would have in "Adapting Moldova to international trade standards
All above statements and presentations have been discussed by the forum attendees. One of the main conclusions the host of the Forum, Mrs Silvia Radu, EBA President - Moldova, summarised, there is an increasing demand to continue and even intensify the dialogue between politics and the business community of Moldova, not only for the agricultural sector.