RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE WT/ACC/MOL/8
27October 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-4695)
Original: English Working Party onthe
Accession ofMoldova
ACCESSION OFTHE REPUBLIC OFMOLDOVA
Additional Questions andReplies
TheMinistry oftheEconomy oftheRepublic ofMoldova hassubmitted thefollowing additional
questions andreplies concerning theMemorandum ontheForeign Trade Regime ofMoldova
(WT/ACC/MOL/2) andtheQuestions andReplies raised thereon bymembers oftheWorking Party
(WT/ACC/MOL/3 andWT/ACC/MOL/4), withtherequest thattheybecirculated toWorking Party
members. TheAnnexes mentioned hereunder willbesubmitted inthenearfuture.
_______________WT/ACC/MOL/8
Pagei
TABLE OFCONTENTS
Page
No.Question
No.
II. ECONOMY, ECONOMIC POLICIES AND FOREIGN TRADE
2. Economic Policies
(b) Monetary andfiscal policies 1 1-6
III. FRAMEWORK FOR MAKING AND ENFORCING POLICIES
AFFECTING FOREIGN TRADE INGOODS AND TRADE IN
SERVICES
2. Government Entities Responsible forMaking andImplementing
Policies Affecting Foreign Trade 4 7
IV. POLICIES AFFECTING TRADE INGOODS
1. Import Regulation
(b) Characteristics ofnational tariff 4 8-11
(c) Tariff quotas, tariff exemptions 5 12
(d) Other duties andcharges 6 13
(e) Quantitative import restrictions 6 14
(f) Import licensing procedures 6 15-17
(h) Customs valuation 7 -
(k) Application ofinternal taxes onimports 7 18-20
(l) Rules oforigin 9 -
2. Export Regulation
(c) Quantitative export restrictions 9 -
(d) Export licensing procedures 9 21-24
3. Internal Policies Affecting Foreign Trade inGoods
(a) Industrial policy, including subsidy policies 10 -
(b) Technical regulations andstandards 10 25-26
(c) Sanitary andphytosanitary measures 11 27-33
(e) State-trading practices 17 34
(f-g) Freezones andfreeeconomic zones 17 35-39
(l) Government procurement practices 19 40-41
4. Policies Affecting Foreign Trade inAgricultural Goods
(a) Imports 20 42
(b) Exports 20 43
(c) Export prohibitions andrestrictions 21 44
(e) Internal policies 21 45-57WT/ACC/MOL/8
Pageii
Page
No.Question
No.
V. TRADE-RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME
1. General 26 -
(e) Feesandtaxes 26 58
2. Substantive Standards ofProtection, Including Procedures forthe
Acquisition andMaintenance ofIntellectual Property Rights
(a) Copyright andneighbouring rights 27 59-62
(b) Trademarks 28 63-65
(c) Geographical indications 29 66-68
(e) Patents 30 69
(h) Protection ofundisclosed information 30 70-72
4. Enforcement
(a) Civil judicial procedures andremedies 31 73-74
(b) Provisional measures 32 75
(c) Special border measures 32 76
VI. TRADE-RELATED SERVICES REGIME
1. General 32 77-79
2. Policies Affecting Trade inServices
Financial services 33 80-86
Transport services 35 87
Telecommunications services 36 88
VII. INSTITUTIONAL BASE FOR TRADE AND ECONOMIC
RELATIONS WITH THIRD COUNTRIES
1. Bilateral andPlurilateral Agreements Relating toForeign Trade in
Goods andServices 36 89-94
2. Economic Integration, Customs Union, FreeTrade Areas 38 95-97WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page1
II. ECONOMY, ECONOMIC POLICIES AND FOREIGN TRADE
2. Economic Policies
(b) Monetary andfiscal policies
Question 1.
Wecommend Moldova foritsdecision (response toQuestion 7ofWT/ACC/MOL/3) toapply
theprinciple ofdestination forVAT andexcise taxation nolater than January 1998. Wealso
welcome theGovernment ofMoldova 'splantoadjust theexcise taxrates, consistent withnational
treatment requirements, byJanuary 1998.
According totheresponse toQuestion 7ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, theState budgetary expenditure
forsubsidies increased because payments were transferred from thebudget oftheCentral
Government tobudgets oflocal authorities andnottosubsidies toenterprises.
Arethelocalauthorities authorized toexpend these funds forsubsidies toenterprises? Howdoes
theCentral Government ensure thatthese funds arenotprovided assubsidies totheenterprises
inamanner thatisinconsistent withtheWTO Agreement onSubsidies andCountervailing Duties?
Answer:
Local authorities donothave theright togrant subsidies toenterprises. Budgets oflocal
authorities haveincreased because theygradually takeoversocial services which wereformerly part
ofState-owned enterprises, e.g.,kindergartens, medical orsports facilities.
Question 2.
According totheresponse toQuestion 8ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, theGovernment ofMoldova is
nolonger granting credits toeconomic agents.
However, theGovernment isproviding loanguarantees, issued against ariskpremium ofatleast
5percentoftheprincipal amount oftheloanwhich ispaidintotheRiskFund. State guarantees
canonlybeissued uptoatotalvalue notexceeding theamount intheRiskFund.
What isthecurrent amount oftheRiskFund? What percentage ofthisamount hasbeenissued
asState guarantees? Please describe anyexport performance orimport substitution requirements
thatexistinconnection withtheissuance ofthese loanguarantees.
Answer:
TheLawonStateDebtandStateGuarantees (No.943-XIII of18July1996, promulgated under
No.115-P of12November 1996) replaced anearlier Parliamentary Decision (No. 570-XIII of
22July1995) which firstestablished theRiskFund. Contributions totheRiskFund aredrawn from
theBudget andfrom beneficiaries ofState guarantees. Riskpremiums neednotbepaidatthetime
theguarantee isissued andbeneficiaries havebeengranted grace periods ofuptothree years. Asa
result onlyMDL 1,064,561 havebeenreceived bytheRiskFund since itsinception inAugust 1995
ascontributions from beneficiaries.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page2
Defaults onpayment forgovernment guaranteed loans were, however, substantially higher
andin1996 theGovernment wasobliged totransfer MDL 47,158,600 from theBudget totheRisk
Fund tomeetitsguarantee obligations. Thisfigure isdown from MDL 57,740,800 in1995.
The1997 Budget Lawallocates MDL 30million asbudgetary contribution totheRiskFund.
Inaddition, theBudget Lawsetupper limits fornewinternal andexternal guarantees atMDL 20million
andUS$35million, respectively.
Withtheupcoming privatization oftheenergy sector, duetostartlaterthisyear,which accounts
formost ofthedefaults ongovernment guaranteed loans, itisexpected thatthecontributions ofthe
Budget totheRiskFund willbephased out.
Theissuance ofState guarantees isnotlinked toexport performance orimport substitution
requirements.
Question 3.
According totheresponse toQuestion 8ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, theenergy company
Thermocomenergo received agrant ofMDL 17,429,100 tocover itsoperating losses. TheMoldovan
Railways alsoreceive subsidies intheform ofexemptions from theLand TaxandtheRealEstate
Taxinexcess ofMDL 6,500,000.
What steps isMoldova taking inorder toreduce thesizeofthese subsidies infuture years? Please
describe theconditions thatareattached totheissuance ofthese subsidies.
Answer:
Thepayment toThermocomenergo hadbecome necessary tocover thedifference between the
government-set energy price andthecostprice. Asthegovernment-set price wasbelow costprice
Thermocomenergo incurred aloss.
Moldova hasagreed aseries ofrestructuring measures fortheenergy sector withtheWorld
Bank andtheIMFinorder toeliminate theneedforbudgetary subsidies toenergy companies. These
measures include theprivatization ofThermocomenergo andtheraising ofenergy prices to
cost-recovering level.
Theraising ofenergy tariffs tocost-recovering level willbeaccomplished inthecourse of
1997. Theprivatization ofThermocomenergo andtheother energy providers willbegin in1997 and
isexpected tobecompleted in1998.
Theobjective ofthesubsidy toMoldovan Railways istofacilitate thepurchase ofnewrolling
stock. Itisatemporary investment subsidy, notasubsidy tocover operating losses.
Question 4.
According totheresponse toQuestion 8ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, Moldova provided subsidies
amounting toMDL 17,463,600 in1996 toenterprises restructuring from themilitary-industrial
complex.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page3
Please identify thefiveenterprises which arethelargest recipients ofthese funds andtheamounts
ofsubsidies theyreceived in1996. Foreachenterprise, please describe theitems thatarebeing
produced andwillbeproduced pursuant tothisprogramme.
Answer:
Company Subsidies Received
MDLProducts Promoted
PERFUZON 11,400,000 Pharmaceuticals
FARMACO 4,600,000 Pharmaceuticals
PROTOS 350,000 Maintenance andrepair ofagricultural machinery
Other 1,113,000
Total 17,463,000
Question 5.
What wasthe1996budgetary costoftheVAT exemption forthefacilitation oftherestructuring
process?
Answer:
Thebudgetary costoftheVAT exemption forthefacilitation oftherestructuring process in
1996 wasMDL 1,700,000.
Question 6.
According totheresponse toQuestion 13ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, theLawontheRoad Fund provides
forfourtypes ofcharges, including acharge forusing roads byvehicles notregistered inMoldova.
Please describe theroadusecharges, including amounts, forbothforeign andMoldovan-registered
vehicles.
Answer:
Theroadusecharges, including amounts, forbothforeign andMoldovan-registered vehicles
arecontained inAnnex 1oftheLawontheRoad Fund No.720-XIII of2February 1996 which was
submitted together withWT/ACC/MOL/4 andisavailable forconsultation intheWTO Secretariat
(Accessions Division, Room 1126).
Theratescharged forvehicles notregistered inMoldova arehigher thanthose charged for
vehicles inMoldova. Foreign suppliers may, however, register theirvehicles inMoldova without
difficultyandonthesametermsasMoldovanservicesuppliers.OnceregisteredinMoldova,thevehicles
offoreign service suppliers paytheratesforMoldovan-registered vehicles.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page4
III. FRAMEWORKFORMAKINGANDENFORCINGPOLICIESAFFECTINGFOREIGN
TRADE INGOODS AND TRADE INSERVICES
2. Government Entities Responsible forMaking andImplementing Policies Affecting Foreign
Trade
Question 7.
When willthedraft Government Decision onExternal Economic Relations come intoeffect. Could
Moldova provide more information ontheroleoftheGovernmental Commission forExternal
Economic Relations which willhave thetaskofcoordinating external economic activity.
Answer:
TheGovernmentDecisiononExternalEconomicRelationscameintoeffecton4September1997
(dateofpublication)asGovernmentDecisionNo.777of13August1997onImprovingtheMechanisms
ofRegulating Foreign Trade. ThenewGovernment Decision abolished theCommission.
IV. POLICIES AFFECTING TRADE INGOODS
1. Import Regulation
(b) Characteristics ofnational tariff
Question 8.
Wehave obtained twocustoms tariff schedules forMoldova andareuncertain which currently
applies. Thefirstschedule isentitled Attachment 1,"Import Customs Tariff oftheRepublic of
Moldova". Thesecond schedule isAnnex 10totheLaw"OnState Budget for1997". However,
neither ofthese schedules arefully broken outtotheeight-digit level anditisnotclear ifthey
usetheHS1996nomenclature. Tohelpavoid further confusion andtoprovide anaccurate analysis
formarket access discussions, please provide atariff schedule withcomplete breakout byHS
number andprovide itinelectronic format totheWTO Secretariat, forreview bytheWorking
Party, attheearliest opportunity.
WhichoftheseschedulesiscurrentlyappliedintheRepublicofMoldova?Whattariffnomenclature
isbeing usedforeachofthese schedules, i.e.theEuropean 1996 HSsystem?
Answer:
Asstated inanearlier communication, thecustoms tariff isapproved every yearaspartof
theBudget Law. Thetariff contained inAttachment 1waspartofthe1996Budget Law. Thecustoms
tariff contained inAnnex 10waspartofthe1997 Budget Law, which superseded the1996 customs
tariff. Inaddition, therehavebeenamendments tothe1996customs tariffwhich werealsosuperseded
bythe1997 Budget Law.
Both, the1996 andthe1997 tariffs usethe1992 European HSsystem. While the1997 tariff
goestotheeight-digit levelforsome positions, the1998tariffwillbefullybroken outtotheeight-digit
levelbutwillalsousethe1992 European HSsystem, asthecustoms authorities willnotbeableto
implement thechanges before yearend.The1996 HSsystem willbeintroduced asof1999.
The1997 tariff, i.e.Annex 10tothe1997 Budget Law, willbesubmitted ondiskette inthe
nearfuture.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page5
Question 9.
Thetwoschedules have different tariff rates forthesame products. Forexample, under tariff
number 0905, thetariff onthefirstschedule (Attachment 1)wasfree,andonthesecond schedule
(Annex 10)was5percent. Didtariff rates increase? What wastheeffective dateofthetariff
rateincreases?
Answer:
Thetariffs enacted withthe1997Budget Lawarehigher foranumber ofpositions. The1997
customs tariff tookeffect onthedayofthepublication ofthe1997 Budget Law, i.e.24April 1997.
Question 10.
Thetariff schedule provided inAttachment 1alsolistsmany items (such asthose inChapters 72
through 80),asbeing duty-free. The table provided intheresponse toQuestion 20of
WT/ACC/MOL/3 alsoliststheduties forthesechapters aszero.However, theschedule inAnnex 10
liststherateofdutyforthesame items as"ex," indicating arange oftariff rates. What arethe
applicable tariff rates forChapters 72-80?
Answer:
Theabbreviation “ex.”stands for“exempt ”.Forthepurposes ofthecustoms tariffs “ex.”
and“0%”have been used interchangeably. Theapplicable tariff rates forChapters 72-80 are
zeropercent.
Question 11.
Willcustoms tariffs continue tobeamended eachyearaspartoftheBudget Law?
Answer:
After ratification oftheAccession Protocol bytheMoldovan Parliament theMoldovan
Government willsetthecustoms tariffs within theagreed ceiling levels.
(c) Tariff quotas, tariff exemptions
Question 12.
According totheresponses toQuestion 24ofWT/ACC/MOL/3 and Question 49of
WT/ACC/MOL/4, there isanimport duty exemption forimports ofgoods pursuant to
"Co-operation Contracts," including theGSPsystem oftheEuropean Communities. Imports of
rawmaterials areexempt from dutyifthefinalproduct isexported totheEuropean Communities.
DoesMoldovaapplythe"CooperationContracts"exemptiononamost-favouredbasis?Areimports
from allWTO Member States exempt from duties ifthegoods areincorporated intofinalproducts
exported totheEuropean Communities? Does theimport dutyexemption apply torawmaterials
forallfinalproducts exported totheEuropean Communities, oronlytorawmaterials forthose
final products which areexported totheEuropean Communities under GSP?WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page6
Answer:
Theimport dutyexemption referred tointheresponse toQuestion 24ofWT/ACC/MOL/3
andQuestion 49ofWT/ACC/MOL/4 applies torawmaterial imports from allcountries ifthefinal
product issubsequently exported. Theexemption isnotlimited toexports under GSPortothe
European Communities.
(d) Other duties andcharges
Question 13.
Wecommend theGovernment ofMoldova foritsdecision tochange itssystem forcustoms users
feestobring them intoWTO conformity byJanuary 1998. Please outline fortheWorking Party
howMoldova willmake thischange.
Wewould appreciate more details onMoldova ’splans tochange thecustoms userfeefrom an
advalorem toafeereflecting theactual costofprocessing.
Answer:
TheMinistry ofFinance andtheDepartment ofCustoms arecurrently discussing waystobring
thecustoms userfeeintolinewithWTO requirements. Thecustoms userfeewilleither beincorporated
intothetariff oraflatfeewillbecharged. Moldova willinform theWorking Party atthenextsession
astowhich alternative hasbeenchosen.
(e) Quantitative import restrictions
Question 14.
CouldMoldovaprovidemoredetailsontheapplicationoftemporaryexportandimportrestrictions,
including theprocedures leading totheapplication oftherestrictions. How longaretemporary
measures applied.
Answer:
Asstated inresponse toQuestion 51ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, Article 13oftheLawonForeign
Economic Activity authorizes theGovernment torestrict theexport andimport ofgoods andservices
ortosuspend foreign economic transactions. Temporary export andimport restrictions forcertain goods
andservices forspecific countries orgroups ofcountries canbeintroduced forbalance-of-payments
reasons orunder other economic andpolitical conditions. However, suchtemporary measures must
respect provisions ofinternational treaties andagreements towhich Moldova isaparty (Article 3,Law
onForeign Economic Activity). After accession totheWTO thiswillinclude theWTO Agreements.
There arenospecific rules ontheduration ofsuchtemporary measures.
(f) Import licensing procedures
Question 15.
According totheresponse toQuestion 52ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, theGovernment ofMoldova is
preparing toreplace Decision No.371,which currently provides therules forimport licensing
procedures.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page7
Please describe theprovisions ofthenewdecision onimport licensing procedures byresubmitting
theinformation provided inAnnex 3oftheMemorandum ontheForeign Trade Regime.
Moldova saysthatanewdecision onimport licensing iscurrently being examined. Could Moldova
provide anupdate onprogress anddetails ofchanges tothecurrent decision.
Answer:
Moldova willresubmit theinformation provided inAnnex 3oftheMemorandum inthenear
future. Moldova isaware thatthelicence feestructure isnotyetinconformity withtherelevant WTO
regulations. Thenecessary amendments willbeintroduced inthecourse of1998.
Question 16.
Please identify theitems, including HSnumbers, thatwillbecovered bytheforthcoming decision
onimport licensing.
When willMoldova provide uswithafinal listofproducts submitted tolicensing procedures?
Does Moldova intend tospecify more specifically thelistmentioned onpages 15and16by
introducing asix-digit nomenclature?
Answer:
Moldova willsubmit thenewGovernment Decision No.777of13August 1997onImproving
theMechanisms ofRegulating Foreign Trade inthenearfuture. Annex 1listsallproducts tobecovered
bythenewimport licensing regulation withHSnumbers except foralcohol andtobacco products which
arecovered byAnnex 4.TheHScodes ofthegoods covered byAnnex 4willbepublished ina
ministerial regulation which iscurrently under preparation.
Question 17.
Fortheimport ofmedications, drugs ormedical equipment, importers needtoaddress themselves
toaspecial commission oftheMinistry ofHealth. What isthespecific function ofthiscommission?
Isthere asimilar commission dealing with import licensing procedures intheMinistry of
Agriculture?
Answer:
ThenewGovernment Decision No.777abolished boththecommission intheMinistry of
Agriculture andtheMinistry ofHealth.
(h) Customs valuation
Wecommend theGovernment ofMoldova foritscommitment toimplement aWTO-consistent
customs valuation regime prior toaccession.
(k) Application ofinternal taxes onimports
Question 18.
Weappreciate theGovernment ofMoldova 'sacknowledgement thatitsVAT andexcise regimes
arenotcompatible withtherequirements oftheAgreement. Wearepleased thatMoldova hasWT/ACC/MOL/8
Page8
pledged toremedy thedeficiencies, involving VAT andexcise taxexemptions forseveral products
originating incertain countries (pursuant tothe1997Budget Law), VATexemption forallproducts
from certain countries anddiscriminatory excise taxrates oncertain products. Wenotepositively
thatMoldova hasalready eliminated itsexcise taxexemption forimports from Romania.
Please describe howtheGovernment ofMoldova intends toamend the1997Budget Lawtobring
theVAT andexcise taxregimes intoconformity with GATT requirements. Please submit a
translated copy ofthedraft legislation totheWTO Secretariat when available. When doesthe
Government ofMoldova intend toimplement fullyaGATT-consistent VAT andexcise taxregime?
Wearepleased tohearofthesteps Moldova istaking tobring itsVAT system intoconformity
withWTO obligations andseekfurther details onthese plans.
What plans doesMoldova have toequalize theexcise rates charged fordomestic andimported
goods.
Answer:
Inafirststep,theGovernment hasalready approved aconcept paper forthe1998Budget Law.
Thepaper states thattheVAT andexcise taxsystems shallbeinconformity withtherelevant WTO
provisions.
Inparticular, thegovernment draftBudget Lawwillprovide forthefollowing:
(i) general application oftheprinciple ofdestination forVAT purposes;
(ii) nodiscriminatory VAT exemptions fordomestic products;
(iii) general application oftheprinciple ofdestination forexcise taxpurposes;
(iv) nodiscriminatory excise taxrates.
Thegeneral application oftheprinciple ofdestination forVAT purposes isalsostipulated in
thenewdraftLawonVAT which hasbeensubmitted toParliament. Moldova willsubmit atranslated
copyofthedraftLawonVAT (Part IIIoftheTaxCode) inthenearfuture.
Moreover, anewGovernment Decision hasbeendrafted which stipulates, interalia,thatall
feesandcharges imposed inconnection withimport orexport transactions should bemodified tocover
onlytheactual costs ofservices rendered. Atranslated copyofthedraftGovernment Decision will
besubmitted inthenearfuture.
Question 19.
Wenotethatthe1997Budget Lawcontained Gatt-inconsistent provisions. WilltheGovernment
ofMoldova commit torefrain from introducing other inconsistent legislation during itsWTO
accession process?
Answer:
TheWTO-inconsistentprovisionsofthe1997BudgetLaw,notablythediscriminatoryexemption
from VAT foragricultural products andpesticides, were introduced attheparliamentary stage and
aretherefore beyond thecontrol oftheGovernment. Thediscriminatory exemption from VAT forWT/ACC/MOL/8
Page9
pesticides hasalready beencancelled. Moreover, thegovernment draftBudget Lawfor1998willcancel
thediscriminatory exemption from VAT foragricultural products.
However, thesevere budgetary difficulties currently encountered byMoldova mayrequire
temporaryfiscalmeasureswhichmightbeinconsistentwithWTOregulations.Suchmeasures,ifapplied,
willbebrought intoconformity withWTO regulations prior toaccession.
Question 20.
According totheresponse toQuestion 83ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, theRepublic ofMoldova provides
aVAT exemption forallagricultural products ifsoldbytheproducers.
Does theRepublic ofMoldova intend toeliminate thisVAT exemption orextend ittoimports
ofbasic agricultural products prior totheWTO accession? Ifnotplease indicate howsuch a
discriminatory application isconsistent withWTO rules.
Answer:
Seeprevious question.
(l) Rules oforigin
While wehavenotyetreviewed Moldova ’sdraft rules oforigin, wearepleased thatthe
Government ofMoldova willadopt andadminister WTO-consistent rules oforigin prior toWTO
accession.
2. Export Regulation
(c) Quantitative export restrictions
Wecommend Moldova fortheelimination ofitsexport banonunbottled wine.
(d) Export licensing procedures
Question 21.
Could Moldova provide more details onitsintention toabolish theregistration requirement for
export contracts.
Answer:
Theregistration requirement forexport contracts hasbeenabolished withtheentering into
force ofthenewGovernment Decision No.777of13August 1997 onImproving theMechanisms
ofRegulating Foreign Trade, superseding Government Decision No.371of6June1995.
Question 22.
According totheresponse toQuestion 71ofWT/ACC/MOL/3, Moldova introduced licensing
ofexports ofprecious metals andminerals, precious stones andarticles made thereof inaccordance
withGATT Article XX(c).
GATTArticleXX(c)onlyappliestotheimportationorexportationofgoldandsilver.DoesMoldova
require licensing ofanymetals orminerals, stones, orarticles made thereof, other thangoldorWT/ACC/MOL/8
Page10
silver? Forexports ofproducts other thangoldorsilver, willtheGovernment ofMoldova eliminate
thisexport licensing requirement prior toWTO accession?
Answer:
ThenewGovernment Decision No.777hasamended thelistofgoods subject tolicensing.
Thenewlistonlycontains goldandsilver. Other precious metals arenolonger subject tolicensing.
Question 23.
According totheresponse toQuestion 84ofWT/ACC/MOL/3, theRepublic ofMoldova charges
special feesonexports inthecontext oftheEuropean Communities 'GSP Programme and
Moldova ’sTextile Agreement withtheEuropean Communities.
Dothespecial feesalsoapply toexports tocountries other than theEuropean Communities
pursuant toaGSP programme? Ifnot,what istherationale forsubjecting onlyGSP exports
totheEuropean Communities forthese special fees?
Answer:
ThenewGovernment Decision No.777hasmodified thelicence feestructure. Thenewfee
structure provides forauniform charge of0.1percentofthevalue ofthegoods fortheissuance of
alicence forallgoods listed inAnnex 1oftheGovernment Decision, GSPandother.
Question 24.
Areexporters ofproducts totheEuropean Communities pursuant totheGSPortotheTextile
FrameworkAgreementrequiredtopaytheMDL180generallicencefeeand0.1percentadvalorem
regular licence fee?
Answer:
Thelicence feespayable untilrecently byexporters ofproducts totheEuropean Communities
pursuant totheGSPortotheTextile Framework Agreement, asstipulated inthenowabrogated
Government Decision No.371,wereindicated inrowsfourandfiveofthetableprovided inresponse
toQuestion 84ofDocument WT/ACC/MOL/3.
However, thenewGovernment Decision No.777stipulates thatonlyonecharge of0.1percent
ofthevalue ofthegoods ispayable asalicence fee.
3. Internal Policies Affecting Foreign Trade inGoods
(a) Industrial policy, including subsidy policies
SeeIV.1(k) oninternal taxation regarding elimination ofVAT exemption forallagricultural
products soldbyproducers.
(b) Technical regulations andstandards
Wewelcome theRepublic ofMoldova ’scommitment andstepsalready undertaken, asdescribed
intheresponse toQuestion 95ofWT/ACC/MOL/3, toremedy existing deficiencies initsstandards
andinspection regime prior toWTO accession.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page11
Question 25.
Itappears from theanswer toquestions thatMoldova currently usesonlymandatory standards.
Could Moldova provide more details.
Answer:
Asstated inresponse toQuestion 86ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, ofthe20,000 standards mentioned
intheMemorandum, about 5,000 aremandatory. According toArticle 13oftheLawonStandardization
thefollowing standards aremandatory:
- national standards forproducts, processes andservices, material goods andtheenvironment
which ensure thesafety ofhuman lifeandhealth;
- national standards which ensure thecompatibility of(foreign withdomestic) technology and
information;
- national standards which ensure thecompatibility of(foreign withdomestic) products;
- national standards which ensure theuniformity ofmethods ofcontrol andmarking.
Question 26.
Asmentioned indocument WT/ACC/MOL/3, Moldova iscurrently considering theintroduction
ofvoluntary standards toprepare itsaccession totheTBT Agreement. Could weobtain more
information onthecategories ofproducts forwhich suchstandards willberelevant?
Answer:
Approximately 90percentofthenewvoluntary standards concern foodproducts.
(c) Sanitary andphytosanitary measures
Question 27.
Please provide adetailed comparison oftherequirements fortheissuance ofaquality certificate
fordomestic andimported goods including adetailed listofthedocumentation required for
domestic goods.
Answer:
Thefollowing table provides anoverview oftheregulations, thegoods concerned andthe
competent authority:
Overview ofSPSRequirements
Rules Goods/Objects Competent Authority Certificate
Issued
Medico-Biological
Requirements No.5061-89
Food safety requirements
(harmonized withthe
Codex Alimentarius)food products State
Sanitary-Epidemiological
Service (Ministry of
Health)Hygiene
CertificateWT/ACC/MOL/8
Page12
Rules Goods/Objects Competent Authority Certificate
Issued
Sanitary requirements as
partofproduct standards- raw-materials,
machines and
equipment theuseof
which mayconstitute
asource ofdanger for
human health;
- goods forchildren;
- materials and
equipment used in
drinking water
systems;
- cosmetics and
perfume;
- soap anddetergents;
- textilesState
Sanitary-Epidemiological
Service (Ministry of
Health)Hygiene
Certificate
Phytosanitary
requirements
(harmonized withthe
European Plant Protection
Organization)products, materials orobjects
which could contribute directly
orindirectly tothespreading
ofpest, diseases orobjects
under phytosanitary quarantineChief State Inspectorate for
thePhytosanitary
Quarantine (Ministry of
Agriculture)Import Permit,
Phytosanitary
Certificate (for
export)
Veterinary requirements
(harmonized with
International Epizootics
Organization)- liveanimals ofall
kinds;
- meat andmeat
products;
- milk andmilk
products;
- poultry, eggs andegg
products;
- fishand
seafoodproducts and
rawmaterials of
animal origin;
- products ofanimal
origin foranimal
feeding;
- goods forveterinary
use.State Veterinary
Inspectorate (Ministry of
Agriculture)Sanitary Avis,
Authorization,
Veterinary
Health
Certificate
Notes:
1. Thecompetent authority prepares therelevant technical requirements jointly withMoldovastandard.
Testing andcertification forSPSpurposes isthecompetence ofthebody indicated inColumn 3.Fortesting,
these bodies mayengage theservices ofaccredited State laboratories.
2. Forproduct standards which arecomposed ofSPSandother non-SPS components, certification for
conformity withtherelevant product standard (conformity certificate) isdone byMoldovastandard onthebasis
ofthehygiene certificate (fortheSPScomponents) andadditional testing (forthenon-SPS components).
Hygiene Certificate oftheState Sanitary-Epidemiological Service
Domestic producers, iftheirproduction process satisfies therelevant requirements, areissued
ahygiene certificate withavalidity ofuptothreeyears oncondition thattheirproduction method doesWT/ACC/MOL/8
Page13
notchange. Importers, iftheysatisfy therelevant requirements (which arethesame asfordomestic
producers), receive acertificate which isvalid fortheshipment concerned.
Theproducts andproduction facilities ofthedomestic producer areusually examined once
ortwice ayear. Ifneedbe(e.g., company record, complaints), theintervals maybeshorter. Imported
goods areinspected atthecustoms office ofthedistrict where theimporter isregistered.
Special arrangements havebeenmade forperishable goods which areimported (although the
scheme isalsoopentoimporters ofother goods). Importers ofsuchgoods mayconclude anagreement
bywhich theforeign production siteisissued withahygiene certificate ofuptothree years’validity
andthegoods arestamped withaspecial stamp indicating thatthegoods havebeenproduced according
toMoldovan SPSrequirements. Theexpenses forvisiting andexamining theforeign production site
havetobeborne bytheforeign producer orbytheimporter. Special arrangements forperishable goods
mayalsoinvolve thecompetent SPSbodies intheproducing countries. Inthese cases theforeign SPS
bodies would ensure thecompliance withMoldovan SPSrequirements.
Importers ofgoods whohavenotconcluded special agreements havetopresent thefollowing
documents:
- invoice;
- quality certificate from theproducer;
- certificate oforigin;
- ifnoMoldovan standard exists, adescription ofrelevant foreign orcompany standard and
acompliance certificate.
Domestic producers havetopresent thesamedocuments except fortheinvoice (astheirhygiene
certificate willbeissued notforaspecific shipment butfortheproduction process foracertain period
oftime) andthecertificate oforigin.
Foreign producers which have concluded special agreements alsohave topresent the
above-mentioned documents except fortheinvoice (astheirhygiene certificate willbeissued notfor
aspecific shipment butfortheproduction process foracertain period oftime).
Inallcasestheissuanceofthehygienecertificateissubjecttoexamination,eitheroftheshipment
oroftheproduction facilities (including theproducts) andsubject tothesame sanitary requirements.
Import Permit oftheChief State Inspectorate forthePhytosanitary Quarantine
Thisdocument isonlyrequired forimported goods. Importers havetopresent thefollowing
documents:
- phytosanitary certificate from country oforigin;
- laboratory analysis (insome cases);
- certificate about disinfestation ordisinfection treatment.
Thephytosanitary requirements ofMoldova areharmonized withthestandards andregulations
oftheEuropean Plant Protection Organization towhich Moldova isanobserver. Theinformation
provided inresponse toQuestion 93ofWT/ACC/MOL/4 inthisregard waserroneous.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page14
Phytosanitary Certificate oftheChief State Inspectorate forthePhytosanitary Quarantine
Thisdocument isonlyrequired forgoods tobeexported. Exporters havetosubmit thefollowing
information:
- description oftheconsignment;
- laboratory analysis (insome cases);
- indication ofpossible disinfestation ordisinfection treatment.
Veterinary Certificates
Domestic producers, iftheirproduction facilities andprocess satisfy therelevant requirements,
areissued anauthorization withavalidity ofuptothreeyears oncondition thattheirproduction method
doesnotchange. Thefacilities areinspected inrandom intervals during thisperiod. Inaddition, every
lotproduced isinspected and,ifcleared, issued withaveterinary health certificate.
Forimported products, every lotimported isinspected.
Fortheauthorization, domestic producers havetosubmit arequest totheState Veterinary
Inspectorate. Fortheveterinary health certificate required foreachlotofproduction thedomestic
producer hastosubmit theauthorization andaquality certificate issued bytheproducer.
Importers, priortoshipment andinorder toobtain thesanitary avis,havetosubmit adescription
oftheconsignment providing theinformation tobeinserted intothesanitary avis.Upon importation
theimporter hastopresent thesanitary avis,stamped bytheveterinary authorities ofalltransit countries,
theveterinary certificate oftheexporting country andaquality certificate issued bytheproducer. The
lotwillbeinspected bytheStateVeterinary Inspectorate and,ifcleared, aveterinary health certificate
issued.
Question 28.
Please provide detailed examples ofacceptable safety certificates from exporting countries and
adescription ofanyadditional testsconducted onforeign goods bytheGovernment ofMoldova.
Answer:
HygienecertificatesissuedbycompetentCISinstitutionsarerecognized.Negotiationsareongoing
withanumber ofothercountries suchasRomania, France andGermany toconclude similar agreements.
Inaddition, Moldova recognizes company hygiene certificates ifthecompany hasconcluded
anagreement withtherelevant Moldovan body (seeprevious question). Intheframework ofspecial
arrangements, e.g.forperishable goods, Moldova alsorecognizes hygiene certificates issued bycertain
foreign certification bodies suchastheGerman TÜV forthepurposes ofsucharrangements.
There arenoadditional testsconducted onforeign goods bytheGovernment ofMoldova if
these areaccompanied byhygiene certificates issued byrecognized foreign bodies.
Import permits forphytosanitary permits mayonlybeissued bytheChief State Inspectorate
forthePhytosanitary Quarantine ofMoldova.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page15
VeterinaryhealthcertificatesmayonlybeissuedbytheStateVeterinaryInspectorateofMoldova.
Question 29.
Please identify allorganizations within Moldovastandard andtheMinistry ofAgriculture, aswell
asanyother agency (i.e., environment, public health ministries) thatconduct SPStesting. Does
theGovernment ofMoldova contract withanyprivate entities toconduct SPStesting. Ifso,please
identify theentity, theproducts covered andthetestsconducted bytheprivate entities.
Answer:
Fororganizations conducting SPStesting seeresponse toQuestion 27above. Moldova does
notengage theservices ofprivate companies toconduct SPStesting.
Question 30.
According totheresponse toQuestion 97ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, theresponsibility forthe
development ofstandards foragricultural products lieswithMoldovastandard incollaboration
withtheMinistry ofAgriculture. Please provide further detail onthestructure oftherelationship
between Moldovastandard andtheMinistry ofAgriculture withrespect tothedevelopment of
standards foragricultural products. What roledoes each entity play inthedevelopment of
standards foragricultural products imported intoMoldova?
Answer:
Therelevant departments oftheMinistry ofAgriculture andMoldovastandard create joint
committees which determine product standards foragricultural goods. Thestandards arethesame for
imported andfordomestically produced goods.
Inthesecommittees theMinistry ofAgriculture would normally contribute detailed knowledge
oftheproduct andMoldovastandard thetechnical knowledge fordeveloping standards. Thecommittees
takedecisions byconsensus sothatbothparties ’points ofview arefully taken intoaccount. The
committees ’decision issubsequently approved byMoldovastandard which gives thestandard legal
effect.
Question 31.
Please describe theinspection procedures thattakeplace attheborder forimported products
andduring theproduction process fordomestic products.
Please elaborate ontheresponse toQuestion 102ofWT/ACC/MOL/4. HowdoestheGovernment
ofMoldova enforce itssanitary andphytosanitary requirements fordomestic products? Howdoes
thisenforcement differ from thatforimported products?
Answer:
Sanitary andphytosanitary requirements areenforced through inspections andtesting.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page16
Sanitary Requirements
Domestic producers andforeign producers which have concluded aspecial agreement are
inspected byateamofexperts fromtheStateSanitary-Epidemiological Service andMoldovastandard
oncebefore thehygiene certificate isissued andthenatregular intervals. Usually aproduction site
isinspected onceortwice ayearbuttheintervals maybeshorter ifthere arespecial reasons.
Theteam ofinspectors examines boththeproducts andtheproduction facilities onthese
occasions.
Imported goods areinspected bytaking samples andcarrying outtestsonthese samples. The
quantity taken andmethod oftaking thesamples varies between products andissetoutintheinternal
regulations oftheinspectors. Theinspection takesplace atthecustoms station towhich theplace where
theimporter isregistered isassigned.
Phytosanitary Requirements
Prior toshipment, theforeign exporter hastosendarequest totheChief State Inspectorate
forthePhytosanitary Quarantine indicating thegoods tobeshipped. TheInspectorate willissue a
preliminary import permit which stipulates specific phytosanitary requirements which thegoods to
beshipped havetosatisfy.
Upon arrival thegoods willbeinspected. Iftheysatisfy therequirements thepreliminary import
permit willbestamped andbecomes definitive. Incaseswhere thetestcannot beconducted attheborder
laboratory, thesample istaken tothecentral laboratory inChisinau.
Iftheshipper hasnotsubmitted arequest before sending thegoods, theform requesting the
import permit mayalsobecompleted attheborder.
Veterinary Requirements
Prior toshipment, theforeign exporter hastosendarequest totheStateVeterinary Inspectorate
indicating thegoods tobeshipped. TheInspectorate willissueapreliminary import permit, thesanitary
avis,which hastobestamped theveterinary authorities ofalltransit countries. Upon arrival every
lotisinspected bytaking samples andcarrying outtestsonthesesamples. Thequantity taken andmethod
oftaking thesamples varies between products andissetoutintheinternal regulations oftheinspectors.
Theinspection takes place atthecustoms station towhich theplace where theimporter isregistered
isassigned.
Whengoodssubjecttoveterinaryrequirementsareunloaded(importation)orloaded(exportation)
arepresentative oftheState Veterinary Inspectorate hastobepresent.
Question 32.
Please describe indetail theprocedural steps tobefollowed byanimporter fordispute settlement,
including steps toinitiate aproceeding andadescription oftheroles played byMoldovastandard
andtheMoldova Economic Courts. Doforeign exporters have thesame standing andrights as
animporter intheMoldovastandard andtheMoldovan Economic Courts?WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page17
Please elaborate further onthesteps animporter andexporter must taketoinitiate anappeal
regarding theapplication ofSPSrequirements tothecourts.
Answer:
AnimporterwishingtoappealagainstadecisionofMoldovastandardshould,inthefirstinstance,
write totheDirector-General ofMoldovastandard whowilltrytoresolve theissue amicably. Most
disputes areresolved inthismanner. Iftheimporter wishes topursue thematter further heshould
filealawsuitattheChisinau Economic Court. Iftheimporter ’scaseisupheld thedecision ofthe
Court overrides thedecision ofMoldovastandard.
Asanapplicant foraconformity certificate aforeign exporter andanimporter havethesame
standing vis-à-vis Moldovastandard andintheEconomic Courts.
Appeals against decisions oftheChief StateInspectorate forthePhytosanitary Quarantine and
theState Veterinary Inspectorate should beaddressed, inthefirstinstance, tothehead ofthe
organization. Inthesecond instance, theimporter mayfilealawsuitintheEconomic courts. Ifthe
importer ’scaseisupheld thedecision oftheCourt prevails.
Question 33.
Arethere anyareas where Moldova ’sSPSregime iscurrently notcompatible with theSPS
Agreement. Ifso,could Moldova provide information onmeasures andtimeframe forbringing
them intoconformity.
Answer:
Moldova doesnotyethaveanenquiry pointcovering allSPSregulations andprocedures. Work
onestablishing suchanenquiry point isunder way, although notimeframe hasbeenset.
(e) State-trading practices
Question 34.
Arethere anyenterprises which retain special privileges inMoldova orwhich retain aprivileged
ormonopoly position.
Answer:
There arenoenterprises which retain special privileges inMoldova orwhich retain aprivileged
ormonopoly position asfarasgoods areconcerned. Formoredetailed information ontheenergy sector
seeresponse toQuestion 109ofWT/ACC/MOL/4.
(f-g) Freezones andfreeeconomic zones
Question 35.
According totheresponse toQuestion 108ofWT/ACC/MOL/3, afreezone already exists in
Chisinau andfurther freezones areforeseen inthefuture.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page18
Totheextent thataccess tothefavourable terms ofproduction andtrade inthefreezones,
economic zones orspecial economic zones relates toexport performance, themeasures may
constitute prohibited subsidies andconflict withtheprovisions oftheAgreement onSubsidies
andCountervailing Measures.
Please submit atranslated copy oftheLaw oftheRepublic ofMoldova No.1451-XII of
25May1993 With Regard toZones ofFreeBusiness Undertakings totheWTO Secretariat for
review bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
Moldova willsubmit atranslated copy oftheLawonFreeEconomic Zones No.1451-XII
of25May1993 inthenearfuture.
Question 36.
Please describe theeligibility criteria thatmust besatisfied foranenterprise tooperate inafree
zone orfreeeconomic zone. Areforeign enterprises andforeign-owned enterprises allowed to
operate inthefreeeconomic zones andtakefulladvantage oftheincentives available todomestic
firms?
Answer:
There arenospecial eligibility criteria thatmust besatisfied foranenterprise tooperate in
afreezoneorfreeeconomic zone. Allenterprises, domestic, joint-venture, foreign andforeign-owned
areallowed tooperate inthefreeeconomic zones andtakefulladvantage oftheincentives available.
TheChisinauFreeZoneadmitsenterprisesonthebasisofapublictenderandonlyjoint-ventures
andforeign-owned enterprises areeligible.
Question 37.
Wenoteintheresponse toQuestion 110ofWT/ACC/MOL/4 thatthere arenoexport requirements
forenterprises operating within these zones. Arethere anydomestic content requirements? Are
anybenefits conditioned onexport performance orimport substitution requirements?
Answer:
There arenodomestic content requirements. Benefits arenotconditioned onexport performance
orimport substitution requirements.
Question 38.
Please identify thelocations being considered forfreezones andfreeeconomic zones. What is
thecurrent status oftheestablishment ofthese zones?WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page19
Answer:
Thefollowing tablegives anoverview ofthefreezones andfreeeconomic zones inMoldova:
Location Type Status
Chisinau freezone operational
Tvarditsa freeeconomic zone operational
Giurgiulesti/Danube freezone planned
Ungheni freezone planned
Taraklia freezone planned
Vulcanesti freezone planned
Question 39.
For1995 and1996, what were thetotal revenues generated byfirms operating within thefree
zones andeconomic zones?
Answer:
TheChisinau FreeEconomic Zone wasopened on1July1996. TheTvarditsa FreeEconomic
Zone onlybegan operations towards theveryendof1996. Hence, there nofigures fortheTvarditsa
zonefortheyears 1995 and1996. Thefigures inthetable below refer totheperiod 1July1996 -
1July1997.
Location Investment Profits Generated Contributions totheBudget
Chisinau MDL 8,500,000 MDL 4,000,000 MDL 3,000,000
(l) Government procurement practices
Question 40.
Weseekacommitment from Moldova thatitwilladhere totheWTO Agreement onGovernment
Procurement atthetimeofaccession.
Answer:
Moldova iscommitted tobegin negotiations onjoining theWTO Agreement onGovernment
Procurement immediately afteraccession.
Question 41.
According totheresponse toQuestion 113ofWT/ACC/MOL/3, theGovernment ofMoldova
expected thedraft procurement lawtobeadopted bytheMoldovan Parliament inthefirsthalf
of1997 without anysubstantial changes. What isthecurrent status ofthislegislation?WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page20
Answer:
TheLawonGovernment Procurement hasbeenadopted byParliament andMoldova willbe
submitting atranslated copyinthenearfuture.
4. Policies Affecting Foreign Trade inAgricultural Goods
(a) Imports
Question 42.
Please describe thecustoms clearance procedures followed bytheRepublic ofMoldova toreduce
toaminimum anydelays inclearing import shipments ofdairy orother perishable agricultural
products.
Answer:
Thewaiting timeforimports fromallcountries attheborder withRomania does, onaverage,
notexceed 30minutes. Thesame holds truefortheborder withUkraine. Theactual customs clearance
takes place attheregional customs office oftheplace where theimporting firmislocated. The
decentralized nature ofthissystem haskeptthetimerequired forcustoms clearance toaminimum.
Asforthehygiene certificate, andinsome cases theconformity certificate which isrequired
forclearing foodproducts, Moldova hasinstituted asystem ofspecial arrangements allowing thehygiene
inspection totakeplace attheplace oftheforeign producer. Seeresponse toQuestion 27fordetails.
(b) Exports
Question 43.
AccordingtotheresponsetoQuestion89ofWT/ACC/MOL/3,Moldovaisnotcurrentlymaintaining
export subsidies.
Westrongly encourage theRepublic ofMoldova tomaintain itsexport subsidy-free regime and
binditsexport subsidy commitment atzero.
WenotethatMoldova hassaidthatitdoesnotuseexport subsidies andweseekacommitment
thatMoldova willbinditsexport subsidies atzero.
Please confirm thattheGovernment ofMoldova doesnotprovide subsidies toexports through
thesatisfaction ofbarter transactions withagricultural products valued atlessthanfairmarket
value.
Answer:
Moldovaconfirmsthatitdoesnotmaintain,norhastheintentiontointroducesubsidiescontingent
onexport performance orondomestic content. Moldova further confirms thatitdoesnotprovide
subsidies toexports through thesatisfaction ofbarter transactions withagricultural products valued
atlessthanfairmarket value.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page21
(c) Export prohibitions andrestrictions
Question 44.
According totheresponse toQuestion 138ofWT/ACC/MOL/3, theGovernment ofMoldova
intends toabolish theexport registration requirement foragricultural products.
What steps hastheGovernment ofMoldova taken toabolish thisregistration requirement? Will
theregistration requirement beabolished prior toWTO accession?
Answer:
Theexport registration requirement forcertain agricultural products hasalready beenabolished
whenthenewGovernmentDecisionNo.777supersededGovernmentDecisionNo.371of6June1995.
(e) Internal policies
Information provided byMoldova.
MoldovawillresubmitWT/ACC/4takingintoaccountthecommentsreceivedfromtheWorking
Party. Moldova iscurrently preparing apolicy document outlining thesubsidy policy intheagricultural
sector inthecontext oftheprivatization process, primarily tosupport newly emerged private farms.
Thisdocument willconstitute thebasis forMoldova ’sofferonagricultural subsidies. Moldova will
make acopyofthedocument available totheWorking Party onceithasbeenprepared.
Question 45.
Theinformation contained inWT/ACC/SPEC/MOL/1 ondomestic support andexport subsidies
isdenominated inMoldovan Lei.What aretherelevant quantitative units ofLei(i.e., thousand,
millions) asrepresented bytheamounts shown inthecolumns?
Answer:
Thefigures indicate millions ofMoldovan Lei.
Question 46.
Please provide detailed information onthepolicies given inDomestic Support Table 1,withspecific
reference tothecriteria listed inAnnex 2oftheAgreement onAgriculture.
Answer:
Moldova provides thefollowing details onpolicies given inDomestic Support Table 1:
(i) themeasures toconserve soilandtoprevent erosion areexempted inaccordance with
category 2(g).These measures wereinfrastructural works ofageneral nature benefitting rural
communities asawhole anddidnotinvolve direct payments toproducers orprocessors. They
excluded thesubsidized provision ofon-farm facilities andofinputs, orsubsidies ofoperating
costs orpreferential usercharges;
(ii) aidsforthepurchase ofagricultural research equipment were exempted inaccordance with
category 2(a);WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page22
(iii) thepreparation ofaplantclassification system wasexempted inaccordance withcategory 2(e);
(iv) thepayments made under theNatural Calamities Laws in1995 and1996 were made in
accordance withcategory 8.Inbothyears, theadoptions ofthelawsconstitute theformal
declaration ofthenatural disaster. Thedisasters were extremely badweather conditions.
In1995, unseasonal weather ledtoafallintheproduction ofpotatoes intheorder of68percent,
oftobacco intheorder of30percentandoffruits intheorder of9percent. In1996, thecountry
washitbyheavy rains, flooding andlatefrosts intheearly partoftheyear; thiswasfollowed bya
severe drought. Grain production fellby37percent.Tobacco production fellbyanother 24percent,
fruits byanother 15percent, vegetables by47percent.
Thedebtrelief wasonlygranted tofarms which suffered lossofincome from thedisasters
andcovered onlyafraction ofthelosssuffered. Thebeneficiaries didnotreceive payments under income
insurance orincome safety-net programmes.
(v) theFundforEnvironmental andNatural Resources Protection covered salaries andothercurrent
expenditure ofthefollowing institutions orservices:
- Republican Ecological Inspectorate andregional agencies oftheDepartment ofthe
Environment;
- Agency forforecasting andmonitoring ofweather conditions;
- Moldsilva (Forestry Agency).
Theexpenditure fortheAgency forforecasting andmonitoring ofweather conditions willbe
taken outwhen Moldova resubmits WT/ACC/4.
Question 47.
Please provide adetailed breakout (including calculations andexplanation) ofthegrants provided
tolivestock producers which areincluded inDomestic Support Table 7.
Answer:
Although thewhole amount ofMDL 7.8million wasentered inDomestic Support Table DS:7
asagrant, thesubsidy had,infact,agrant component ofMDL 6.3million andaloancomponent
ofMDL 1.5million, asstated inDS:6. Thebeneficiaries wereState-owned farms andtherepartition
wasasfollows:
Component Amount inthousand MDL
Purchase ofhighquality breeding animals 856
Long-term stock-breeding programmes 50
Maintaining thelivestock genetic fund 634
Purchase ofprotein-rich forage 2,500
Advanced technologies 950
Animal exhibitions andauctions 320
Animal registers andbooks 78
Credits forforage 1,500
Other 912WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page23
Component Amount inthousand MDL
Total 7,800
Question 48.
Please describe thegrain subsidy included under wheat inDomestic Support Table 7.Please identify
anygrains other thanwheat which receive thissupport. Dograin processors receive thesubsidy?
Ifthesubsidies arepaidtotheprocessors, howdothese payments benefit wheat (grain) producers?
Answer:
Thegrain subsidy included inDomestic Support Table 7isdescribed indetail indocument
WT/ACC/MOL/2/Add.2. Itonlycovered wheat. Thesubsidy benefits grain processors (millers and
subsequent production stages). Thesubsidy doesnotconfer anyfinancial benefit toproducers ofa
basicagricultural product. Thewheat subsidy willbetaken outwhen Moldova resubmits WT/ACC/4.
Question 49.
Wewould begrateful forconfirmation that Moldova willbemaking developed country
commitments initsaccession.
Answer:
Moldova maintains thatitconsiders itself adeveloping country. However, forthepurposes
ofMoldova ’saccession totheWTO, Moldova willbemaking developed country commitments with
additional flexibility incertain areas, asdiscussed during thefirstsession oftheWorking Party.
Question 50.
Moldova should relate itsclaims onAMS tothevalue ofitsagricultural production. Fordeminimis
onproduct-specific support, totalproduct-specific support would belessthan5percentofthe
total production ofabasic agricultural product during therelevant year. Fordeminimis on
non-product-specific support, total non-product-specific support would belessthan 5percent
ofthevalue oftotalagricultural production. Ifitisdeminimis ,thissupport would notbeincluded
inthetotalAMS orbesubject toreduction.
Answer:
Thefollowing tables relate thefigures provided fordomestic support tothevalue ofagricultural
production:
DeMinimis Calculation: 1995
Product Value ofProduction
1995
inmillion MDLDomestic Support
1995 in
million MDLDomestic Support asa
Percentage oftheValue of
Production
Livestock 1,338.0 7.8 0.6%
Grapes
(viticulture)331.8 15.0 4.5%WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page24
Product Value ofProduction
1995
inmillion MDLDomestic Support
1995 in
million MDLDomestic Support asa
Percentage oftheValue of
Production
Fruits (fruit tree
growing)291.7 6.5 2.2%
Wheat 249.8 4.5 1.8%
Non-product
specific support3,770.4 47.4 1.2%
DeMinimis Calculation: 1996
Product Value ofProduction
1996
inmillion MDLDomestic Support
1996 in
million MDLDomestic Support asa
Percentage oftheValue of
Production
Grapes
(viticulture)297.1 9.5 3.2%
Livestock 1,123.5 9.3 0.8%
Fruit (fruit tree
growing)270.1 6.0 2.2%
Milk 348.7 37.6 10.7%
Meat 446.0 16.7 3.7%
Tobacco 581.2 7.5 1.2%
Vegetables 184.7 5.4 2.9%
Wheat 150.2 64.4 42.9%
Non-product
specific support3,322.8 53.9 1.6%
Moldova isaware thatmany oftheitems included inWT/ACC/SPEC/MOL/1 fallunder the
deminimis clause, butconsiders thatitisnecessary toinclude figures forallrelevant support to
agriculture intheyears 1995 and1996 inorder tofully demonstrate therecent development of
agricultural policy inMoldova, andasbackground tothenegotiation offuture AMS limits.
Question 51.
CanMoldova confirm thatitspayments forrelief from natural disasters compensation bydebt
cancellation isprovided onlytotheagricultural sector?
Answer:
Moldova confirms thatitspayments forrelief from natural disasters compensation bydebt
cancellation isprovided onlytotheagricultural sector.
Question 52.
WenotethatMoldova hasprovided supporting tables DS:4 indicating dataforyears 1995 and
1996. Wewould expect thatsinceMoldova indicates thatnosubsidies werepaidin1994(reply 137,WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page25
page 47,WT/ACC/MOL/3) thatitshould include zerofigures forthisyearandprovide anaverage,
notthesum, ofsupport forthe1994-96 three yearperiod (table DS:4).
Answer:
Intheearly daysofMoldova ’stransition toamarket economy agriculture wasstillmostly
State-owned.Althoughagriculturalsubsidieswerethennotidentifiedassuch,andnotpaidoutofseparate
budget lines, agricultural production wassubsidized inother ways, including theaccumulation of
considerable losses totheBudget, totheSocial Fund andtotheemployees. Many ofthelosses had
tobewritten offandwere eventually covered bytheState.
Including zerofigures for1994 would notbeinformative andwould notgiveatruepicture
ofwhatMoldova ’spolicy hasbeen.
Question 53.
WT/ACC/MOL/2/Add.2 of24September 1996 provided anoutline ofMoldova ’sviticulture
improvements, livestock improvements and“improvement offruit treegrowing ”.Itindicated
thatMoldova wasexempting them from theAMS calculation onthebasis ofArticle 6:2.Moldova
isnowclaiming these support programmes asnon-exempt direct payments. Wetherefore need
toestablish exactly what thenature ofthesupport istoenable ustoassess whether itistobe
included intheAMS. Wepresume thatMoldova isintending tonolonger claim suchprogrammes
asexempt from reduction commitments.
Answer:
When document WT/ACC/MOL/2/Add.2 wasprepared, Moldova wasstillseeking developing
country status. Since thenithasemerged thatMoldova, although being adeveloping country, would
beexpected tomake developed country commitments.
Astheexemption under Article 6:2applies onlytodeveloping countries andinviewofthe
newdevelopments, Moldova hasentered these programmes asnon-exempt direct payments.
Question 54.
WenotethatMoldova hasnotprovided supporting table DS:5. CanMoldova therefore confirm
thatitprovides noproduct-specific market price support onanyagricultural products.
Answer:
Moldova confirms thatitprovides noproduct-specific market pricesupport onanyagricultural
products.
Question 55.
Moldova provides aVAT exemption formilk, meat, tobacco andvegetables. CanMoldova confirm
thatVAT exemptions aredirected onlyatagricultural produce orarethere non-agricultural
products thatareexempt from VAT?WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page26
Answer:
WT/ACC/MOL/3/Add.2 contains alistofallgoods andservices which areVAT exempt. The
listincludes bothagricultural andnon-agricultural goods.
Question 56.
Moldova hasindicated previously thatitgrants nosubsidies toagricultural exports. Wewould
expect therefore thatMoldova willprovide supporting table ES:1stating thattheyhavenoexport
subsidies.
Answer:
Moldova willprovide supporting tableES:1 stating thatithasnoexport subsidies.
Question 57.
Weseekmore details ontheVAT exemption forallagricultural products ifsoldbytheproducer.
Answer:
The1997 Budget Lawexempted domestic agricultural products from VAT atthefirstpoint
ofsale,i.e.iftheyaresoldbytheproducer. Sales ofagricultural products through wholesalers and
other intermediaries donotbenefit from thisexemption. SeeSection IV.1(k) formore details.
V. TRADE-RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME
1. General
Additional information provided byMoldova.
TheMoldovanParliamenthasadoptedandpublishedresolutionsfortheaccessiontothefollowing
IPRagreements:
- Strasbourg Agreement onInternational Patent Classification;
- LocarnoAgreementontheEstablishmentofanInternationalClassificationforIndustrialDesigns;
- Vienna Agreement ontheEstablishment ofaClassification oftheFigurative Elements ofMarks;
- NiceAgreement ontheInternational Classification ofGoods andServices forthePurposes
oftheRegistration ofMarks;
- Madrid Agreement fortheRepression ofFalse orDeceptive Indications ofSources onGoods.
(e) Feesandtaxes
Question 58.
Please explain howtheGovernment ofMoldova applies theschedule offeesfortheintellectual
property rights contained inAnnex ItoGovernment Decision No.415asof13June 1994(attached
toWT/ACC/MOL/4). Aretheamounts listed incolumn fiveoftheschedule denominated in
Moldovan Leiorinminimum wages? Iftheyaredenominated inminimum wages, what arethe
current feespriced inMoldovan Lei?Dotheowners oftherights have theoption ofdeciding
whether topayinUnited States 'Dollars orinMoldovan Lei?WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page27
Answer:
There hasbeenareproduction error regarding Annex ItoWT/ACC/MOL/4. Thefigures in
column fouraredenominated inminimum wages, thefigures incolumn fiveinUnited States 'Dollars.
Domestic applicants paytheamounts quoted incolumn four, foreign applicants theDollar amounts
quoted incolumn fiveortheirMDL equivalents. Oneminimum wage isMDL 18.
2. Substantive Standards ofProtection, Including Procedures fortheAcquisition and
Maintenance ofIntellectual Property Rights
(a) Copyright andneighbouring rights
Question 59.
According totheresponse toQuestion 132ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, there areeconomic benefits for
theauthor toregister hiscopyright. Please describe fully theeconomic benefits forauthors of
registered copyrights thatarenotavailable forunregistered copyrights. Please explain howthe
requirement ofregistration toobtain these benefits complies withArticle 5oftheBerne Convention,
incorporatedintotheTRIPSAgreementbyArticle9.1,whichstatesthattheenjoymentandexercise
ofrights shall notbesubject toanyformality?
Answer:
AsstatedinreplytoQuestion132ofWT/ACC/MOL/4,theregistrationofacopyrightconstitutes
apresumption ofauthorship forthecourt. Article 8oftheCopyright Lawstipulates thattheenjoyment
andexercise ofrights arenotsubject toanyformality. Theinformation thatadditional economic benefit
were conferred byregistering acopyright waserroneous.
Question 60.
How didMoldova restore copyright protection, inaccordance with Article 18oftheBerne
Convention, forworks thatwere inthepublic domain inMoldova, prior toitsaccession tothe
Berne Convention, which were stillunder copyright protection intheir country oforigin, but
whose fullterm ofprotection inMoldova hadnotyetexpired?
Answer:
Moldova acceded totheBerne Convention on22July1995. Forworks which were already
inthepublic domain by31December 1994because theprotection period hadexpired, theprotection
wasnotrestored.Forworkstheperiodofprotectionofwhichwasduetoexpireafter31December1994,
theperiod ofprotection hasbeenadjusted inthefollowing way: ifthetermofprotection forawork
byaforeign author thatisusedintheRepublic ofMoldova isgreater, under thelawsofthecountry
oftheauthor, thanthetermsetoutintheMoldovan Copyright Law, thetermofprotection laiddown
bythislawshallapply; ifitislesser, thetermofprotection laiddown bythelawsofthecountry of
theauthor shallapply (Article 17:12, Copyright Law).
Question 61.
How doesMoldova intend torestore protection forsound recording producers, inaccordance
withArticle 14oftheTRIPS Agreement?
TheMoldovan Government states thatproducers ofphonograms andbroadcasting organizations
have theexclusive right touseaphonogram inanyform. Does theright ofaproducer ofaWT/ACC/MOL/8
Page28
phonogram include theright toauthorize orprohibit thedirect orindirect reproduction ofthe
phonogram anddoestheright ofabroadcasting organization include theright toprohibit the
reproduction offixations?
Answer:
Therightofaproducer ofaphonogram includes therighttoauthorize orprohibit thedirect
orindirect reproduction ofthephonogram (Article 28.2Copyright Law). Therightofabroadcasting
organization includes therighttoexploit itsbroadcast inanyform, including therighttoauthorize
ortoprohibit reproductions ofarecording ofabroadcast (Article 29.1Copyright Law).
Question 62.
DoesaperformerhavethepossibilityunderMoldovanLawtopreventthereproductionofafixation
ofhis/her unfixed performance when undertaken without theauthorization oftheperformer?
Answer:
Under Moldovan lawaperformer hastheexclusive righttoauthorize orprohibit, interalia,
thereproduction ofarecording ofaperformance, except where reproduction ismade forthesame
purposes forwhich hehadgiven hisconsent when authorizing therecording (Article 27(2) Copyright
Law).
(b) Trademarks
Question 63.
According totheresponse toQuestion 134ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, colours arerecognized as
trademarks “iftheir spectrum hasaspecial connotation toaparticular product ”.Please explain
what thismeans.
Answer:
Moldovan lawdoesnotrecognize individual colours assuchastrademarks, butthecolour or
thecombination ofcolours ofaword mark orafigurative mark (oracombination ofthetwo)are
protected aspartofthetrademark (Article 4andArticle 5,LawonTrademarks andAppellations of
Origin).
Acolour isdeemed identical toacolour protected aspartofatrademark ifthrough aseries
oftestsitisfound similar tothepoint ofconfusion.
Question 64.
According totheresponse toQuestion 138ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, “...inconcrete cases, themark
isconsidered well-known based ontheawareness ofagreat number ofpeople about thisparticular
mark ”.Iftheproduct involved isonethathasaspecialized market, plumbing supplies, for
example, isitsufficient toobtain protection thatmerely alarge number ofpersons dealing with
thatmarket arefamiliar withthemark?WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page29
Answer:
TheMoldovan authorities would firstconsider themarket share oftheproduct and,second,
conduct apollintherespective special market segment.
Question 65.
Does Moldovan legislation contain provisions toprotect awell-known mark incases where the
goods orservices arenotsimilar tothose inrespect ofwhich atrademark isregistered, provided
thattheuseofthattrademark inrelation tothose goods orservices would indicate aconnection
between those goods orservices andtheowner oftheregistered trademark andprovided that
theinterests oftheowner oftheregistered trademark arelikely tobedamaged bysuchuse?
Answer:
Marks well-known inMoldova andprotected without registration under Article 6bisofthe
Paris Convention areprotected inMoldova independently oftheproduct (Article 7.4(b), Lawon
Trademarks andAppellations ofOrigin).
(c) Geographical indications
Question 66.
Does Moldovan lawallow fortherefusal orinvalidation oftheregistration ofatrademark which
containsorconsistsofageographicalindicationwithrespecttogoodsnotoriginatingintheterritory
indicated, iftheuseoftheindication inthetrademark forsuchgoods inthatMember isofsuch
anature astomislead thepublic astothetrueplace oforigin?
Answer:
Moldovan lawallows fortherefusal orinvalidation oftheregistration ofatrademark inthese
cases (Article 7.1(e) andArticle 7.2(a), LawonTrademarks andAppellations ofOrigin).
Question 67.
Could theGovernment ofMoldova clarify whether protection isgranted against ageographical
indication which, although literally trueastotheterritory, region orlocality inwhich thegoods
originate, falsely represents tothepublic thatthegoods originate inanother territory?
Answer:
Moldovan lawgrants protection isthese cases (Article 22.2, Article 7.1LawonTrademarks
andAppellations ofOrigin).
Question 68.
Does theGovernment ofMoldova intend tointroduce specific provisions fortheprotection of
geographical indications forwines andspirits along thelinesofArticle 23oftheTRIPS Agreement?
Ifso,what isthetimeframe.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page30
Answer:
Moldova considers theprovisions oftheTrademark LawandofGovernment Decision No.760
of10November 1995 tobeconsistent withArticle 23oftheTRIPS Agreement.
(e) Patents
Question 69.
Could theGovernment ofMoldova explain whether theLawonPatents forInventions contains
anyconditions forgranting acompulsory licence andgovernment usewhich correspond tothose
setoutinArticles 31(a) to(l)oftheTRIPS Agreement? Please explain.
Answer:
Seeresponse toQuestion 149ofWT/ACC/MOL/4.
(h) Protection ofundisclosed information
Question 70.
TheGovernment ofMoldova explains thatthemarketing ofpharmaceutical andagricultural
chemical products issubject totheapproval bytheMinistries ofHealth andAgriculture. How
isdata, which issubmitted toobtain suchanapproval, protected against disclosure?
Answer:
Datasubmitted totheMinistry ofHealth ortheMinistry ofAgriculture which satisfies the
requirementsofacommercialsecretaccordingtoMoldovanlawisprotectedbytheLawontheProtection
oftheCommercial Secret. Fortherequirements ofacommercial secret according toMoldovan law,
seeresponse toQuestion 157ofWT/ACC/MOL/4.
Question 71.
According totheresponse toQuestion 157ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, undisclosed information willbe
considered acommercial secret ifitismarked, bystamp orotherwise, asconfidential. Does
Moldova protect unrecorded undisclosed information, including information passed orally only
tothose involved inanoperation withaneed toknow? Forexample, would Moldova provide
trade secret protection forthetemperature atwhich achemical process produces thegreatest
yield?
Answer:
Although theLawontheCommercial Secret alsoprotects unrecorded undisclosed information,
theMoldovan authorities responsible forintellectual property, forlicensing, product registration, etc.
generally require confidential information submitted inconnection withtheapplication forlicences,
registration certificates, etc., toberecorded andmarked forpurposes ofclarity.
Question 72.
TheresponsetoQuestion159ofWT/ACC/MOL/4indicatesthattheMoldovanMinistriesofHealth
andAgriculture approve marketing ofpharmaceuticals andagricultural chemicals, respectively,WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page31
without requiring submission ofundisclosed testdata. Please describe theinformation thatmust
besubmitted toobtain marketing approval forthese products.
Answer:
Inorder toimport andsellagricultural chemicals inMoldova, animporter needs toobtain
animport licence andahygiene orconformity certificate. Fortheprocedures toobtain thesedocuments,
seeresponse toQuestion 27above andtheresubmitted questionnaire onimport licensing tobesubmitted
inthenearfuture.
Fortheimportation ofpharmaceuticals, Moldova requires aimport licence. Theprocedures
aresetoutintheresubmitted questionnaire onimport licensing. Inaddition, pharmaceuticals tobe
imported havetoberegistered. TheNational Pharmaceutical Institute oftheMinistry ofHealth has
issued aninformation leaflet forforeign producers describing indetail theregistration procedures.
Moldova willbesubmitting acopyinthenearfuture.
4. Enforcement
(a) Civil judicial procedures andremedies
Question 73.
Dojudicial authorities have theauthority toorder aparty todesist from aninfringement, inter
aliatoprevent theentry intothechannels ofcommerce intheir jurisdiction ofimported goods
thatinvolve theinfringement ofanintellectual property right, immediately aftercustoms clearance
ofsuchgoods?
Answer:
Ifrequested bytheinjured party, theMoldovan judicial authorities areempowered toorder
aparty todesist from aninfringement, interaliatoprevent theentry intothechannels ofcommerce
intheirjurisdiction ofimported goods thatinvolve theinfringement ofanintellectual property right,
immediately aftercustoms clearance ofsuchgoods.
Question 74.
What specific remedies canbetaken withregard tocounterfeit trademark goods?
Could theGovernment ofMoldova explain inmore detail thecriminal procedures andpenalties
which areprovided byMoldovan legislation incases oftrademark counterfeiting andcopyright
piracy? Dosuchmeasures include theseizure, forfeiture anddestruction ofinfringing goods and
ofanymaterials andimplements?
Answer:
Attherequest oftheinjured party, theequipment andmaterial usedunlawfully toreproduce
andaffixthetrademark orappellation oforigin concerned shallberendered incapable foruseofthat
purpose. Stocks ofinfringing signs reproducing themark orappellation oforigin shallbedestroyed
andmarks orappellations unlawfully affixed toproducts shallberemoved, evenifthatleads tothe
destruction oftheproducts.
Forcopyright piracy suchmeasures include theseizure ofinfringing copies ofworks or
phonogramsorthematerialsandtheequipmentusedfortheirmanufactureandreproduction.ConfiscatedWT/ACC/MOL/8
Page32
infringing copies arehanded overtotheowner ofthecopyright iftheperson sorequests. Ifnot,the
infringing copies willbesoldordestroyed inaccordance withthecourt ruling.
Foradditional administrative infringement andpenal procedures, seeresponses to
Questions 167-169 ofWT/ACC/MOL/4.
(b) Provisional measures
Question 75.
Could theGovernment ofMoldova explain inmore detail theprocedures forprovisional measures?
Answer:
Provisional measures areobtained bywritten application fromtheinjured party orthepublic
prosecutor (only forcriminal offences) tothecourt orthearbitration body (only forcivillitigation)
requesting suchmeasures.
Provisional measures include:
- order totheinfringing party tostopthemanufacture, reproduction, sale,rental, import, etc.
ofinfringing objects untilthecourt orthearbitration body hasdecided thecase;
- seizure ofinfringing objects;
- seizure ofmaterials andequipment usedtoproduce theinfringing objects;
- seizure ofaccounts andother documentation thatmaybeusedasevidence intheinquiry.
Whether ornotaprovisional measure isgranted, andwhich provisional measure isgranted
depends onwhether sufficient evidence ofaninfringement ofanintellectual property righthasbeen
presented.
(c) Special border measures
Question 76.
Hasthelawongeneral border enforcement policy been adopted sofar?
Answer:
Thedraftlawonborder enforcement measures hasbeensubmitted toParliament intheform
ofanamendment oftheCustoms Code. Itisnotyetapproved.
VI. TRADE-RELATED SERVICES REGIME
1. General
Question 77.
Please describe yourexisting trade regime intheform ofaresponse toQuestionnaire WT/ACC/5
prior tothenextmeeting oftheWorking Party.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page33
Answer:
Thequestionnaire hasbeencirculated asdocument WT/ACC/MOL/6.
Question 78.
According totheresponse toQuestion 162ofWT/ACC/MOL/3, anyinvestment overUS$5million
issubject toapproval from anti-trust authorities. Areanyofthecriteria usedfortheanti-trust
determination inconsistent withGATS Articles XVIandXVII?
Answer:
Astherequired approval fromtheanti-trust authorities doeslimitmarket access inanyofthe
waysprovided forinArticle XVIoftheGATS, andasthecriteria usedfortheanti-trust determination
arethesamefordomestic, joint-venture andforeign companies, i.e.joint-venture andforeign companies
enjoy national treatment, Moldova considers theprovision tobeinaccordance withGATS Articles XVI
andXVII. Seeresponse toQuestion 26ofWT/ACC/MOL/4 formore details.
Question 79.
When willMoldova submit itsfirstschedule ofcommitments regarding theregulation ofdifferent
service sectors inMoldova?
Answer:
Moldova willsubmit itsfirstschedule ofcommitments regarding theregulation ofdifferent
service sectors intimeforthenextmeeting oftheWorking Party.
2. Policies Affecting Trade inServices
Financial services
Question 80.
According totheresponse toQuestion 179ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, off-shore banks notlicensed in
Moldova aresubject tosome restrictions. Please identify anddescribe fully these restrictions.
Please identify anddescribe anylimitations ontheability offoreign financial institutions toaccept
deposits from orlendtoMoldovan citizens orforeign citizens residing inMoldova.
Answer:
Until nowthere havenooff-shore banks which haveexpressed aninterest toconduct their
operations from Moldova andtheNational Bank hasnotissued anyregulations forsuchbanks. The
National Bankiscurrently looking atlicensing theactivities ofadditional types offinancial institutions.
ForeignfinancialinstitutionslicensedinMoldovaarenotlimitedintheirabilitytoacceptdeposits
from orlendtoMoldovan citizens orforeign citizens residing inMoldova, except fortheprudential
requirements which arethesame fordomestic banks.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page34
Question 81.
Isfinancial leasing permissable inMoldova? Please identify anddescribe anylimitations onthe
ability offoreign financial institutions toprovide financial leasing.
Answer:
Every bank, domestic orforeign-owned, which islicensed inMoldova canengage infinancial
leasing (Article 26,LawonFinancial Institutions).
Question 82.
According totheresponse toquestion 168ofWT/ACC/MOL/3, foreign institutions arepermitted
tobuyandsellsecurities ontheir ownaccount andonbehalf ofothers. Mayforeign institutions
alsobuyandsellforeign exchange ontheir ownaccount andonbehalf ofothers?
Answer:
Foreign financial institutions mayalsobuyandsellforeign exchange ontheirownaccount
andonbehalf ofothers oncondition thattheyarelicensed asafinancial institution bytheNational
Bank ofMoldova (Article 26,LawonFinancial Institutions).
Question 83.
Please describe anyrestrictions ontheability offoreign institutions tounderwrite andengage
intheplacement ofallkinds ofsecurities. Please describe anyrestrictions ontheability offoreign
financial institutions toengage inmoney brokering andasset management.
Answer:
Foreign institutions mayunderwrite andengage intheplacement ofallkinds ofsecurities,
engage inmoney brokering andassetmanagement. They aresubject tothesame terms andconditions
asdomestic banks, i.e.theyhavetobelicensed asafinancial institution bytheNational BankofMoldova
(Article 26,LawonFinancial Institutions).
Question 84.
Please describe anylimitations ontheability offoreign financial institutions toprovide settlement
andclearingservicesforfinancialassetsincludingsecurities,derivativeproductsorothernegotiable
instruments.
Answer:
There arenolimitations forforeign financial institutions licensed inMoldova toprovide
settlement andclearing services forfinancial assets including securities, derivative products orother
negotiable instruments.
Question 85.
Please describe anylimitations ontheability offoreign financial institutions toprovide financial
services cross-border from theforeign country toMoldova. Please describe anyrestrictions on
theability ofMoldovan consumers topurchase financial services inaforeign country.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page35
Answer:
Foreign financial institutions arenotlimited intheir ability toprovide financial services
cross-border fromtheforeign country toMoldova. Forservices which require theopening ofanaccount
inaforeign country, Moldovan citizens needtheapproval oftheNational Bank. Theapproval isrequired
because, whilst Moldova hascurrent account convertibility, capital investments abroad arestillsubject
tosome restrictions
Question 86.
Licences forsubsidiary orbranch offices offoreign banks aregranted onlyif:(b)thecompetent
foreign authorities thatsupervise thefinancial activities atthehead office oftheforeign bank
concerned havegiven theirwritten consent tothegranting ofsuchlicences; (c)theCentral Bank
issatisfied thattheforeign bank isadequately supervised onaconsolidated basis bysuchforeign
authorities.
Could weobtain further clarification onbothofthose requirements (level offoreign authority
which isrecognized astobecompetent, conditions which satisfy theCentral Bank under point (c))?
Answer:
Asfortheforeign competent authority, theNational Bank requires adocument signed bythe
chairman, president, governor orother dulyauthorized person oftheforeign institution which is
responsible forthesupervision ofthefinancial institution concerned. Thedocument should statethat
theinstitution iscompetent andthefinancial institution hastherightunder theforeign domestic law
toopenasubsidiary orbranch office inMoldova.
Asfortherequirement tobeadequately supervised onaconsolidated basis, theNational Bank
requires thattheforeign financial institution meets thecriteria oftheBasel Convention atleasttothe
same degree asMoldova.
Transport services
Question 87.
There iscurrently amonopoly oftheState company forrailroad transportation services. Does
Moldova intend toliberalise thissector inthenear future? Could weobtain more specific
information regarding auxiliary services? Which ofthose services havealready beenliberalised?
Answer:
Although there isamonopoly fortheState company Moldovan Railways forrailtransport
services, Moldovan Railways hasissued atonepoint alicence toaprivate operator fortheservice
Chisinau-Bucharest. Theprivate company hasceased operations inthemeantime.
Against abackground ofsevere financial difficulties, theMinistry ofTransport hasdrawn up
alternative plans forafundamental restructuring ofthesector, including boththerailroad transport
andauxiliary services. Moldova willcommunicate details ofthese plans astheybecome known.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page36
Telecommunication services
Question 88.
IsMOLDTELECOM theonlyState-trading enterprise which hasbeen granted exclusive rights
inMoldova?
Answer:
Apart fromMoldtelecom, Posta Moldovei, thenational postoffice, andtheMoldovan Railways
alsooperate asmonopoly suppliers.
VII. INSTITUTIONAL BASE FOR TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH THIRD
COUNTRIES
1. Bilateral andPlurilateral Agreements Relating toForeign Trade inGoods andServices
Question 89.
Weseekacommitment from theRepublic ofMoldova thatitwilladhere totheWTO Agreement
onTrade inCivil Aircraft atthetimeofaccession.
Answer:
Nodecision hasbeentaken inthisregard.
Question 90.
According totheresponse toQuestion 182ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, Moldova permits duty-free import
ofrawmaterials fortextile andclothing products from theEuropean Communities, provided
thefinished products aresubsequently exported totheEuropean Communities (inward processing).
IstheRepublic ofMoldova obliged toprovide duty-free access forthese rawmaterials pursuant
totheAgreement withtheEuropean Communities onTextiles andClothing ordoesMoldova
grant thisduty-free access autonomously? HowdoestheGovernment ofMoldova intend tobring
thisdutyexemption intoconformity withthemost-favoured-nation requirement ofArticle Iof
theAgreement, i.e.whyisonlyEuropean Communities 'trade subject tothisprogramme?
Answer:
Theimport dutyexemption referred toinresponse toQuestion 182ofWT/ACC/MOL/4 applies
torawmaterial imports fromallcountries ifthefinalproduct issubsequently exported. Theexemption
isnotlimited totheTextiles andClothing Agreement, totheGSPortoimports from, ortoexports
totheEuropean Communities (Government Decision No.689of8November 1993, lastamended by
Government Decision No.421of20June1995).
Question 91.
According totheresponse toQuestion 182ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, under theagreement withthe
European Communities ontextiles andClothing, Moldova “shall create favourable conditions
forimports oftextile products originating intheEuropean Communities ”.Please describe theWT/ACC/MOL/8
Page37
measures usedbytheRepublic ofMoldova tocreate favourable conditions forimports oftextile
products from theEuropean Communities.
Answer:
Noconcrete measures havebeentaken.
Question 92.
Foreachofthepastthree years, what wasthevalue oftextile andclothing products imported
from theEuropean Communities pursuant totheAgreement onTextiles andClothing?
Answer:
Asimports from theEuropean Communities under theAgreement onTextiles andClothing
donotenjoy preferential treatment, noseparate statistics forimports under theAgreement arebeing
kept. Thetotalvalues ofimports oftextiles andclothing from theEuropean Communities were as
follows:
Imports ofTextiles andClothing from theEuropean Communities
Year Value ofImports
inUS$million
1994 40,6
1995 42,0
1996 54,8
Question 93.
The Agreement onTextiles and Clothing provides theEuropean Communities with
non-discriminatory treatment intheapplication ofquantitative restrictions, thegranting oflicences
andtheallocation ofcurrency needed topayforimports. Isthisnon-discriminatory treatment
alsoavailable toother Members onamost-favoured-nation basis?
Answer:
Thisnon-discriminatory treatment isalsoavailable tootherMembers onamost-favoured-nation
basis (Government Decision No.689of8November 1993, lastamended byGovernment Decision
No.421of20June1995).
Question 94.
According totheresponse toQuestion 187ofWT/ACC/MOL/4, Moldova would consider extending
thepreferential access forreconditioned marked packages andbottles, currently available to
Bulgaria, toallWTO Members, under thesame conditions.
What conditions apply tothispreferential market access forBulgarian marked packages orbottles?
IftheGovernment ofMoldova does notdecide toextend thismarket access toother WTO
Members, please explain howitwillcomply withhemost-favoured-nation requirements ofGATT
Article I.WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page38
Answer:
Thepreferential access forrawmaterials, including bottles andmarked packages, inconnection
withinward andoutward processing hasalready beenextended toallcountries. Thedetailed regulations
governing theimport ofrawmaterials inconnection withinward andoutward processing aresetout
inAnnex 4ofthenewGovernment Decision No.777.Moldova willbesubmitting atranslated copy
totheWorking Party.
2. Economic Integration, Customs Unions, FreeTrade Areas
Question 95.
According totheresponse toQuestion 195ofWT/ACC/MOL/3, parties toafreetrade agreement
mayintroduce customs duties forindividual products onatemporary basis.
Foreachfreetrade agreement, please identify allproducts, including HSnumber, forwhich the
Republic ofMoldova iscurrently applying customs duties onatemporary basis. Alsoplease provide
theapplicable customs dutyrateandthedatethatthetemporary dutywillexpire.
Answer:
Moldova doesnotapply temporary customs duties toanyproduct intheframework ofany
freetrade agreement.
Question 96.
Foreachtrading partner covered byafreetrade agreement, please provide thevalue ofallimports
received dutyfreeandthevalue ofimports received which were subject totemporary customs
duties, foreachofthepastthree years.
Answer:
AsMoldova hasnot,either noworinthepastthreeyears, imposed temporary customs duties
onimports fromcountries withwhich Moldova hasconcluded freetradeagreements, allimports from
suchcountries were received dutyfree.
Question 97.
According totheresponse toQuestion 196ofWT/ACC/MOL/3, Russian oilandoilproducts are
notsubject toexcise taxes.
Thelistofimported goods subject toexcise taxes onlyincludes automobile gasoline anddiesel.
Please identify, including HSnumbers, alloilandoilproducts subject toexcise taxes andthe
applicable rates. What istherationale forexcluding onlyRussian-produced oilandoilproducts
from theexcise tax?
How doestheGovernment ofMoldova intend tobring theexcise taxexemption ofRussian oil
andoilproducts intoconformity withthemost-favoured-nation requirements ofGATT Article I?WT/ACC/MOL/8
Page39
Answer:
TheresponsetoQuestion196ofWT/ACC/MOL/3states,interalia,thatMoldovahasconcluded
separate agreements withtheCIScountries (including Russia) providing fortheprinciple oforigin
forexcise taxpurposes, i.e.theexcise taxischarged onlyonceinthecountry oforigin. Deviating
fromthispractice, Moldova hadtemporarily subjected Russian oilandoilproducts toexcise taxation
attheplace ofdestination. Themeasure was,however, notapplied andhasbeencancelled.
Thelistofgoods subject toexcise taxes, which wassubmitted totheWorking Party istherefore
complete andcontinues tobeinforce.