Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Pointing out Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci’s great efforts to integrate the Turkish private sector into the global trade and investment environment; Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked him on behalf of TOBB.

Stating that the close economic and political relations between Moldova and Turkey dates back to the establishment of Moldova, the TOBB President said, “Turkey, in 1991 when Moldova proclaimed its independence, acknowledged Moldova and after that date, has given great importance to the development of bilateral relations. Our mutual high-level visits and the Free Trade Agreement have brought our countries closer together.”

Emphasizing the role of the ambassadors in this process of familiarization, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I know about our Ambassador Mr. Hulusi from his previous place of duty. He has always stood with the real sector. He also plays an active role in relating the views of the business community in the countries he is appointed to the decision-making bodies. We see this constructive and conclusion-oriented approach to business in Moldova. Mr. Ambassador, I thank you on behalf of our business community.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Democratic Party President, Honorable Pılahutnik, Prime Minister Honorable Filip and Gagavuzya President Honorable Vilah have hosted our delegation. We have conducted fruitful negotiations with the Moldovan government. They described the potential of the Moldovan economy very well.

During the same visit, we met with our investors in Moldova, hosted by my brother Moldovan Business Council President Sinan Bora, one of the most important investors in Moldova. During our visit, we were proud of the success of our entrepreneurs in Moldova. Our entrepreneurs, with success, serve as a bridge between Moldova and Turkey.

They are active in hotels, shopping centers, hospitals, school construction and management, as well as industrial areas notably in textiles. Our contractors successfully completed projects totaling 280 million USD. Our investors provide more than 6,000 jobs in Moldova.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu said that he believes bilateral trade is developing with the contribution of the Free Trade Agreement and that the problems existing in the functioning of the Free Trade Agreement will be solved shortly. The addition of the services sector to the scope of this agreement will be beneficial for both countries.

Reminding that the trade volume between the two countries increased by 22% in 2017, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they want to increase the trade volume of 460 million dollars to 1bn USD in the first stage.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said that this meeting was organized in line with the decision made during his visit to Moldova and that they aimed to promote Moldova's business opportunities in Moldova to Turkish business circles better and to realize productive bilateral talks between Turkish and Moldavian companies.

Nihat Zeybekçi, Minister of Economy, also underlined the fact that the Free Trade Agreement was signed between the two countries at the end of 2016, “By adding the services sector to the Free Trade Agreement and renewing it, we intend to whip up the trade increase in the future.” Zeybekçi said that the Moldova’s exports to Turkey increased by 22% while Turkey's exports to Moldova increased 8.5% last year.

Zeybekçi noted that when the first two months of this year are compared to the same period of 2017, there is an increase of 44% in Moldova's exports to Turkey while Turkey’s exports to Moldova decreased, which unacceptable and that work should be done on this subject.

Expressing that Turkey's growth expectations for 2017 is over 7%, Zeybekçi said that the expectations for 2018 is also positive and reported that the amount of investment incentive certificates given in 2017 increased by 81% in comparison to the previous year.

Chiril Gaburici, Minister of Economy and Infrastructure of Moldova, stated that as government, they are trying to make their best to provide the best environment for investors in their countries and said that they continue their efforts to protect investments and to create good business climate by reducing administrative barriers for attracting infrastructure investments.

Speaking of improving customs and taxation, Gaburici emphasized that they offer important options for foreign investors.

“Recently, the governments of both countries have made a serious effort and as a result, the Free Trade Agreement was signed at the end of 2016. The total trade volume target among the countries is 1 billion USD. This is difficult but we can succeed.” Gaburici said.

Following the opening speech, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and Moldova Businessmen Association General Director Alexandru Baltag signed a cooperation agreement with Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci as witness.