WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1  
22 January 2016  
(16-0449)  Page: 1/89  
Trade Policy Review Body   
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
REPORT BY THE SECRETARIAT 
REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA  
Revision 
This report, prepared for the first Trade Policy Review of Republic of Moldova, has been drawn up 
by the WTO Secretariat on its own responsibili ty. The Secretariat has, as required by the 
Agreement establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement 
Establishing the World Trade Organization), sought clarification from Republic of Moldova on its trade policies and practices.  
Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to Mr Ricardo Barba-Viniegra 
(tel: 022/739 5088) and Mr Rosen Marinov (tel: 022/739 6391).  
Document WT/TPR/G/323/Rev.1 contains the policy statement submitted by Republic of Moldova. 
 
 
Note: This report was drafted in English. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 2 - 
 
  CONTENTS 
SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................... . 6 
1   ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................ 11  
1.1   Major Featur es ......................................................................................................... 11 
1.2   Recent Econ omic Developments.................................................................................. 11 
1.3   Trade and Investment Performance ............................................................................. 14 
1.3.1   Trade in g oods and se rvices .................................................................................... 14 
1.3.2   Foreign di rect inve stment........................................................................................ 16 
1.4   Outlook ................................................................................................................... 17 
2   TRADE AND INVE STMENT RE GIME ............................................................................ 18  
2.1   Genera l Framework .................................................................................................. 18 
2.2   Trade Poli cy Formulation ........................................................................................... 18 
2.3   Policy Objectives ...................................................................................................... 19 
2.4   Trade Agreements and Arrangements .......................................................................... 19 
2.4.1   WTO ................................................................................................................... . 19 
2.4.2   Regional Trade Agreements ..................................................................................... 21 
2.4.3   Other arrangements ............................................................................................... 22 
2.5   Investme nt regime ................................................................................................... 22 
2.5.1   Starti ng a bu siness ................................................................................................ 23 
3   TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE ........................................................ 26  
3.1   Measures Direct ly Affectin g Imports ............................................................................ 26 
3.1.1   Customs procedur es and requirements ..................................................................... 26 
3.1.2   Custom s valuation ................................................................................................. 27 
3.1.3   Rules of origin .......................................................................................................  27 
3.1.4   Tariffs ............................................................................................................... ... 28 
3.1.4.1   MFN applied tariff ................................................................................................ 28 
3.1.4.2   Bound tariff ........................................................................................................ 30 
3.1.4.3   Preferential tariff ................................................................................................. 31 
3.1.4.4   Other du ties and charges ..................................................................................... 31 
3.1.5   Import prohibitions, rest rictions, licensin g, and quotas ................................................ 33 
3.1.6   Contingenc y trade me asures ................................................................................... 34 
3.1.7   Standards and othe r technical requirements .............................................................. 35 
3.1.8   Labelling and pa ckaging requ irements ...................................................................... 37 
3.1.9   Sanitary and ph ytosanitary measures ....................................................................... 38 
3.1.10   Governme nt procurement ..................................................................................... 40 
3.1.10.1   Overview ......................................................................................................... 40 
3.1.10.2   Domestic legal framework for procurement and related re forms ............................... 40 
3.1.11   Trade-related inve stment measur es (TRIMs) ............................................................ 42 
3.2   Measures Directly Affecting Exports ............................................................................. 42 
3.2.1   Registration and documentation ............................................................................... 42 WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 3 - 
 
  3.2.2   Export taxes, charges, levies and quotas ................................................................... 42 
3.2.3   Export prohibitions, restrictions and licensing ............................................................. 42 
3.2.4   Export support, financing and promotion ................................................................... 42 
3.2.5   Free economic zone s and industri al parks .................................................................. 42 
3.3   Measures Affectin g Production and Trade ..................................................................... 44 
3.3.1   In centives ............................................................................................................  44 
3.3.2   State trading, state-owned enterprises, and privatization ............................................. 44 
3.3.3   Competition policy, state aid, co nsumer protection, an d price controls ........................... 45 
3.3.4   Intellectual property rights ...................................................................................... 47 
4   TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR ..................................................................................... 52  
4.1   Agriculture ............................................................................................................. . 52 
4.1.1   Overview ..............................................................................................................  52 
4.1.2   Border  measures ................................................................................................... 53 
4.1.3   Domestic measures ................................................................................................ 53 
4.2   Manuf acturi ng .......................................................................................................... 55 
4.3   Energy .................................................................................................................. .. 56 
4.3.1   Genera l features .................................................................................................... 56 
4.3.2   El ectricity ........................................................................................................... .. 57 
4.3.3   Hydrocarbons ........................................................................................................ 58 
4.4   Services ................................................................................................................ .. 60 
4.4.1   Financial services ................................................................................................... 60 
4.4.1.1   Banking .............................................................................................................  60 
4.4.1.2   Non-bank savings and credit institutio ns (NBS CIs) ................................................... 62 
4.4.1.3   Securities market ................................................................................................ 62 
4.4.1.4   Insura nce .......................................................................................................... 63 
4.4.2   Communica tion services ......................................................................................... 64 
4.4.3   Transport .............................................................................................................  66 
4.4.3.1   Road ................................................................................................................ . 68 
4.4.3.2   Fluvial ............................................................................................................. .. 69 
4.4.3.3   Railway  .............................................................................................................  70 
4.4.3.4   Air ................................................................................................................. ... 71 
REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 7 3 
5   APPENDIX  TABLES .................................................................................................... 74  
 
CHARTS 
 Chart 1.1 Product composition of merchandise trad e, 2009 an d 2014 ...................................... 15
 
Chart 1.2 Direction of merchandise trade, 2009 and 2014 ...................................................... 16 
Chart 3.1 Distribution of MFN applied tariff rates, 2001, 2009 and 2015 ................................... 29 
Chart 3.2 Average applied MFN and bound tariff rates, by HS Section, 2001, 2009 and 
2015  ......................................................................................................................... ... 30 WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 4 - 
 
  Chart 3.3 Share of open  tendering, 2009-14 ........................................................................ 41 
Chart 4.1 Agricultural output by  main categories , 2009 and 2014 ........................................... 52 
Chart 4.2 Structure of manufactu ring production , 2009 and 2014 ........................................... 55 
Chart 4.3 Total primary energy  supply (TPES) , 2010 and 2013 ............................................... 56 
Chart 4.4 Financial system  indicators, 2009 and 2014 ........................................................... 60 
Chart 4.5 Penetration and concentration by market segment, 2009 and 2014 ........................... 64 
Chart 4.6 Freight and passeng er transport,  2009 and 2013 .................................................... 67 
 
TABLES 
 Table 1.1 Selected economic indicators, 2009-14 .................................................................. 12
 
Table 1.2 Balance of payments, 2009-14 ............................................................................. 13 
Table 1.3 FD I, 2009- 14..................................................................................................... 17 
Table 2.1 Selected notifications, 2002-2015 ......................................................................... 20 
Table 3.1 Tariff structure, 2001, 2009 and 2015 ................................................................... 28 
Table 3.2 Tariff lines where MFN app lied rates exceed bo und rates,  2015 ................................. 31 
Table 3.3 Excise  duties , 2010- 15........................................................................................ 32 
Table 3.4 Import licensing procedures, 2015 ........................................................................ 34 
Table 3.5 State-funding for standardizatio n, metrology and accr editation,  2010-15  ................... 36 
Table 3.6 Selected state- owned enterpri ses, 2015 ................................................................ 45 
Table 3.7 Competition in vestigations , 2008- 14 ..................................................................... 46 
Table 3.8 State Aid, 2011-13 ............................................................................................. 46 
Table 3.9 Membership in international agr eements, conventions, and treati es, 2015 .................. 48 
Table 3.10 Main features  of the IP R regime.......................................................................... 49 
Table 3.11 Application/registration of intellectual property objects, 2008-14 ............................. 50 
Table 4.1 Agricultural support meas ures, 2011-14 ................................................................ 54 
 
BOXES 
 Box 2.1 Activities su bject to li censing ................................................................................. 24
 
 
APPENDIX TABLES 
 Table A1. 1 Merchandise export s by product groups, 2009-14 ................................................ 74
 
Table A1. 2 Merchandise import s by product groups, 2009-14 ................................................ 75 
Table A1. 3 Merchandise export s by destinat ion, 2009- 14 ...................................................... 76 
Table A1. 4 Merchandise im ports by orig in, 2009- 14 ............................................................. 77 
 
 Table A2. 1 Main trade- related legi slation ............................................................................ 78
 
Table A2. 2 Regional Trad e Agreements in force ................................................................... 80 
 WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 5 - 
 
  Table A3. 1 Moldova's tariff summa ry, 2015  ........................................................................ 84 
Table A3. 2 Overview of government  procurement stat istics, 2009-14 ..................................... 86 WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 6 - 
 
  SUMMARY 
1. The Republic of Moldova became the 142nd Member of the WTO in July 2001. This is its first 
Trade Policy Review. Since its independence in 1991, the Republic of Moldova embarked on an 
ambitious reform programme aimed at transforming a centrally-planned economy to a 
fully-functioning market economy, and restoring macroeconomic stability. It has largely met these 
objectives creating an outward-oriented economy, well integrated worldwide. Liberalization of trade and investment, driven by commitments taken during its accession to the WTO in 2001 and 
its goal to accede to the European Union (EU), has been a major feature in this process. 
Nonetheless, political tensions, internally and in some of its main trading partners pose big risks. 
2. The Republic of Moldova is a small, landlocked economy although in 2009 it gained indirect 
maritime access by opening the port of Giurgiulesti on the Danube. It has few natural resources 
and is almost entirely dependent upon imports fr om the Russian Federation for its primary energy 
requirements. Services constitute the most important sector in terms of share of GDP (almost 60%). Agriculture plays a significant role as it  contributes for about 13% to GDP and provides 
almost half of total merchandise exports. Despite a sharp decline in poverty in recent years, the 
Republic of Moldova is one of the poorest countries  in Europe, with a GDP per capita estimated at 
US$2,233 in 2014. 
3. Real GDP growth rate averaged 5.4% during 2010-14, which was among the strongest in 
the region and largely the result of sound macroeconomic policies and structural reforms. As a result, the unemployment rate was reduced to 5.1% in 2013 after peaking at 7.4% in 2010. However, growth has been volatile reflecting vulnerability to climatic and geopolitical conditions; a 
contraction in economic activity of 1-2% is ex pected in 2015. Some of the main risks to the 
Republic of Moldova's outlook relate to fluctuations in remittances from workers abroad (22% of GDP), and donor support (about 10% of government  spending). Furthermor e, possible disruption 
of trade routes and gas supply can severely impact the economy since all land routes to CIS 
countries pass through Ukraine, and the Republic of Moldova is almost totally reliant on Russian gas transported via pipelines in Ukraine. 
4. The Republic of Moldova's exchange rate regime is classified as "floating". The National Bank 
of Moldova (NBM) intervenes in the domestic foreign exchange interbank market in order to smooth out sharp exchange rate fluctuations of the the Moldovan Leu (MDL) against the US dollar. This exchange rate system has provided a credible anchor for price stability and the annual 
average inflation rate was 4.9% over 2009-14. Howe ver, headline inflation has been artificially 
contained due to unchanged utility tariffs during the last few years. In addition, several product/services are subject to regulated prices.  
5. In the first half of 2015 the MDL depreciated significantly against major currencies partly as 
a result of transactions that led to the placing of three Moldovan banks under special administration. This depreciation is likely to contribute to inflationary pressures and have a 
positive effect on the trade balance. 
6. The Republic of Moldova reduced its overall bu dget deficit, excluding grants, from 8.5% of 
GDP in 2009 to 5.4% in 2014 due to the steps taken to strengthen the fiscal policy framework as 
well as buoyant revenues on the back of strong GDP growth during most of the period 2009-14. 
Nonetheless, the overall budget deficit (excluding grants) is expected to increase to 6.6% of GDP 
in 2015 reflecting, inter alia , significant wage and pension increases, new ad hoc  tax benefits, and 
weaker economic activity. To reduce the budget deficit to a level that can be sustained without 
exceptionally high donor support, further measures seem necessary such as reforming the social 
security and health systems, and enhancing privatization. 
7. Despite being affected by the global economic crisis and other external shocks, the Republic 
of Moldova reduced its current account deficit, as  percentage of GDP, from 8.2% in 2009 to 5.7% 
in 2014, after peaking at 11% in 2011. Exchange rate flexibility and ongoing trade liberalization 
efforts which have had a positive impact on exports are some of the contributing factors for the improvement of its external sector. The economy of  the Republic of Moldova is highly dependent 
on international trade (the ratio of exports an d imports to GDP reaching 135% in 2013). Its trade 
is also very concentrated geographically. In 2014,  exports to the EU and CIS represented 86% of 
total merchandise exports, while 81% of imports originated in such countries.  WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 7 - 
 
  8. Trade policy formulation and evaluation are under the overall responsibility of the Ministry of 
Economy (ME) in cooperation with other ministries and trade-related agencies. The ME is also responsible for WTO issues, negotiating and implem enting Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs), and 
promoting trade and investment. The ME holds consultations with the private sector in the 
formulation of trade policy on ad hoc  basis, including organizing briefings on RTA negotiations. 
9. The Republic of Moldova's efforts to integrat e into the world economy are reflected in the 
dismantling of the restrictive trade regime inherited from the Soviet Union, and in its accession, 
participation in, or adherence to various multilateral, regional, and bilateral trade initiatives. The 
Republic of Moldova grants at least MFN treatment to all its trading partners.  
10. The Republic of Moldova is strongly committed to the multilateral trading system. It has 
reduced the number of outstanding notifications to  the WTO over the recent years, and undertook 
extensive commitments upon its WTO accession (binding 100% of its tariff lines and making 
extensive specific commitments under the GATS). The Republic of Moldova is neither a party to the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) nor to the plurilateral agreement on trade in civil 
aircraft. To date, it has been involved in two cases under the WTO dispute settlement mechanism. 
11. The orientation of the Republic of Moldova's economic and trade policies is, however, like 
that of other central and eastern European countries, largely driven by the goal of accession to 
the EU. In this regard, the Republic of Moldova aims to have EU candidate status by 2017 and full 
EU membership by 2020. In June 2014, the Re public of Moldova and the EU signed their 
Association Agreement which has three main components: visa liberalisation (which went ahead in April 2014), increased political cooperation, and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area 
(DCFTA).  
12. Since 1 March 2008, the Republic of Moldova has been benefitting from the EU's 
Autonomous Trade Preferences (ATP) scheme which currently coexists with the DCFTA. The ATP 
will apply until 31 December 2015 to make it easier for business to adapt during the transition 
period between the ATP and the DCFTA. The Republic of Moldova has also received Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) treatment from Ca nada, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, and 
the United States. 
13. The Republic of Moldova has 14 RTAs in force encompassing 45 partners: Albania, Armenia, 
Azerbaijan, Republic of; Belarus; Bosnia and Herzegovina; the EU-28; Georgia; Kazakhstan; UNMIK/Kosovo; Kyrgyz Republic; FYR of Macedonia; Montenegro; the Russian Federation; Serbia; 
Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; Ukraine; and Uzbeki stan. In 2014, merchandise trade with RTAs 
partners accounted for 76% of Moldovan total imports and 86% of total exports. In September 2014, the Republic of Moldova also si gned a free trade agreement with Turkey, which 
is not yet in force.  
14. The foreign investment regime of the Republic of Moldova is fairly liberal, with most business 
activities open to domestic and foreign natural and legal persons alike. In addition, the 
Constitution provides several guarantees for foreign investors. Some 48 activities, however, may 
be carried out only based on a licence. These activities include: manufacture of alcoholic beverages except for wine, mining operations, banking and foreign exchange, insurance, and 
tourism. Foreign investors may lease agricultural land for up to 99 years. Despite measures taken 
recently to attract larger FDI inflows and improve its business climate, FDI in the Republic of 
Moldova has been inhibited by factors such as governance, policy instability and limited access to finance. 
15. The Republic of Moldova has made its notifi cation of Category A commitments under the 
Agreement on Trade Facilitation. In 2014, Mold ovan Customs introduced the Authorized Economic 
Operator (AEO) programme to simplify customs procedures and facilitate legitimate trade. So far, 
the Republic of Moldova does not have mutual recognition arrangements on AEO programmes, but 
a pilot project on EU AEOs recognition was recently launched. Some fees for customs processing apply, while customs value is primarily assessed based on the transaction value. 
16. Goods imported into the Republic of Moldova may be subject to customs tariffs, VAT, and 
excise duties. The tariff is relatively simple, although non- ad valorem  lines (specific, compound, 
and other) represent 4.5% of the total. The simple average MFN tariff went from 4.9% in 2001 WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 8 - 
 
  (when the Republic of Moldova joined the WTO), to 5.3% in 2009, and 6.3% in 2015. Excise duties 
are mostly non- ad valorem , while those on cigarettes, fuel and alcohol will be progressively raised 
to reach the EU minimum threshold by 2025. VAT is  levied at three rates: 20% (the standard 
rate), 8% (e.g. on certain agri cultural products), 0% for, inter alia , export of goods and services. 
17. The Republic of Moldova bound all its tariff lines at a final simple average rate of 7.7%. On 
agricultural products (WTO definition), the Republic of Moldova bound its tariff lines at a final simple average rate of 14.4% (compared with a simple average applied MFN rate of 13.5%). For 
non-agricultural goods, the final simple averag e bound tariff rate is 5.9%, while the simple 
average applied MFN rate is 4.4%. For some 27 lines, MFN applied tariff rates exceed bound rates when using AVEs based on 2013 import data. 
18. With the exception of the free trade agreement with the EU for which there is an average 
preferential rate of 0.8% on all products (2.7% for agriculture and 0.3% for non-agricultural 
goods), the rest of the Republic of Moldova' s RTAs in force appear to be duty free. 
19. The Republic of Moldova's use of non-tariff barriers seems limited.
 It has licensing 
requirements to regulate several goods, such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and 
fertilizers. The Republic of Moldova has neither imposed nor initiated any anti-dumping or 
countervailing measure, while one definitive safeguard measure applied on sugar imports during 2004-12.  
20. During the last few years, the Republic of Moldova has been aligning its legislative 
framework with the EU acquis communautaire ; harmonization is already ongoing in certain areas, 
notably TBT, SPS, competition, state-aid, government procurement, IPRs, energy, telecommunications, and civil aviation.  
21. The Republic of Moldova is an observer to  the WTO Government Procurement Agreement 
(GPA) and aims to join in 2015. To do so, the Republic of Moldova has been aligning its legislation with international best practices and a modern e-procurement system is in place since 2013. These 
reforms have resulted in an increase of open te ndering procedures, particularly of e-procurement. 
22. While the Republic of Moldova has established a functioning market economy, the State 
continues to provide aid on economic or social gro unds. In addition to direct costs to the budget, 
there are indirect costs as a result of forgon e revenues, associated with, for example, tax 
exemptions, state aid, regulated prices, and incentives.  
23. During the last few years, the trade regime of the Republic of Moldova has also focused 
largely on export promotion, particularly through free economic zones and industrial parks. The 
government provides various incentives comprising, inter alia , duty and tax concessions, and state 
aid. In 2014, almost 80% of the goods and services  produced in the FEZs were exported, i.e. 9% 
of Moldovan exports. Enterprises registered in the Republic of Moldova (local and foreign), 
different from those established in FEZs and/or industrial parks, also benefit from certain 
incentives such as reduction of the taxable income and other tax deductions. 
24. A major privatization programme of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) has been implemented 
since 1993 as part of the transition into a market-oriented economy. New provisions concerning 
privatization were approved in 2007 by the La w on Public Property Management and its 
Privatization, and by the legal framework for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) implemented since 2008. Nonetheless, by the end of 2014, there we re still 363 SOEs (down from 551 at the end of 
2001), with the State keeping a majority holding in 71 of them. 
25. Agriculture has traditionally been an important pillar of the Moldovan economy, on account 
of fertile land. The Republic of Moldova is a net exporter of agriculture and food products, which 
accounted for 46.2% of total export earnings in 2014. Nevertheless, the agriculture sector 
continues to face a number of challenges, incl uding: land fragmentation; infrastructure 
deficiencies; limited coverage and poor condition of irrigation systems; a weak SPS framework; and a declining and ageing rural labour force. 
26. Non-product specific domestic support in agriculture was below the de minimis  threshold in 
2009-10 and zero in 2011-13. Budgetary outlays on "Green Box" measures were in the range of WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 9 - 
 
  SDR21.3 million to SDR37.8 million ; there were no export subsidies. Since 2010, disbursements to 
agricultural producers have been managed by a si ngle public body, the Agency for Interventions 
and Payment in Agriculture.  
27. In 2009, the Republic of Moldova created a State Cereals Reserve to guard against possible 
market shortages and to ensure the nation's food  security. According to the authorities, stock 
replenishment is done at market prices and on competitive terms; the size of the reserve stocks (some 60,000 tonnes) is deemed too small to influence prices on the Moldovan market. 
28. Although manufacturing output expanded be tween 2009 and 2014, the Republic of Moldova 
remained a net importer of manufactures on account of sustained dynamism in imports of machinery and transport equipment, and chemicals.  The food and beverage industries dominate 
manufacturing activity, representing over 43% of the sector's output and 45.1% of all exports of 
industrial products in 2014. The manufacturing sector's challenges include: limited access to 
financing, nearly depreciated fixed assets, high energy costs, and low levels of innovation and 
adoption of new technologies. Domestic support to manufacturing mainly takes the form of 
incentives granted within industrial parks and free economic zones. 
29. The Republic of Moldova imports most of its energy resources, with fossil fuels dominating 
the primary energy supply matrix. Notwithstanding some steps towards supply diversification, it 
remains strongly dependent on natural gas imports from the Russian Federation; other supply-side 
risks are linked to internal and regional socio-po litical tensions. Although improving, the Republic 
of Moldova's energy efficiency performance is still considered as among the worst in Europe. 
30. The Republic of Moldova became a contractin g party to the Energy Community Treaty in 
May 2010, committing to gradually bring its energy se ctor in line with EU rules and practices. The 
transposition of EU rules on unbundling for the natural gas market has been postponed until 1 January 2020. A number of legislative hurdles and technical constraints remain in the natural 
gas and electricity segments. 
31. The Moldovan financial system is still underdeveloped, with a particularly shallow non-bank 
segment, which hampers the domestic economy's growth. Approximately half of total deposits and 
40% of all loans remain foreign-currency denominated. A number of weaknesses in the legal and 
regulatory framework are yet to be addressed. In  the context of its Association Agreement with 
the EU, the Republic of Moldova has committed to a ten-year time-frame for the gradual 
approximation of its legislation on financial services to the EU regulatory framework. 
32. Banks continue to dominate the financial system, accounting for 93.7% of total assets, 
93.5% of all loans and 99.3% of all deposits in  2014. In order to protect the integrity of the 
banking system, the National Bank of Moldova has granted lines of credit, on favourable terms, to 
some banks; its most recent intervention was in the fourth quarter of 2014 when it also placed 
three banks under special administration and suspended their credit activities.  
33. Companies incorporated and authorized to carry out investment activities related to 
securities in a EU jurisdiction may benefit from fast-track access to the Moldovan market via the 
status of "accepted persons", dispensing them from  the requirement to obtain a licence. Access to 
the insurance market is restricted to Moldovan-incorporated and duly licensed joint-stock companies. 
34. The Republic of Moldova's electronic communi cations market expanded steadily between 
2009 and 2014; growth was most dynamic in broa dband data transmission. Most electronic 
communications segments remained fairly concentrated  during the review period, reflecting lags in 
the enforcement of legal provisions and the scope for introducing additional pro-competitive 
measures. The electronic communications regulator's enforcement powers could also be strengthened. 
35. The opening up of the electronic communica tions market has been complemented with 
gradual (voluntary) alignment of the Moldovan legal and regulatory framework to the one applied in the EU. The Republic of Moldova has yet to implement some of its specific commitments on postal services. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 10 - 
 
  36. Due to inadequate funding, the Moldovan transport infrastructure has been in a general 
decline since the late 1980s, but efforts to reverse this trend have intensified in recent years. Further reforms and significant investments are still required to address the relatively high transportation costs and low journey speeds, and to improve safety conditions. 
37. Road and railroad remain the main modes of transport in the Republic of Moldova. 
Nevertheless, air traffic has been increasing, fostered by the gradual integration, since 2012, into the European Common Aviation Area. In addition, the opening of a port with indirect maritime 
access on the Danube in 2009 has triggered a stea dy growth in cargo handling volumes. Two 
strategic infrastructure facilities, namely the Giurgiulesti International Free Port (GIFP) and the Marculesti International Free Airport (MIFA), have been granted special incentives, broadly similar to those applied to FEZs. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 11 - 
 
  1  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 
1.1  Major Features 1.1.  The Republic of Moldova is a small and relatively open economy in which agriculture plays a 
significant role; it accounted for 12.8% of GDP, 30.5% of employment, and 46.2% of total export 
earnings in 2014 (section 4.1.1). Services constitute the most important sector in terms of share 
of GDP (almost 60%), while manufacturing contributed 11.7% in 2014 (section 4.2). The Republic of Moldova has few natural resources and is almost entirely dependent upon imports from 
the Russian Federation for its primary energy requirements (section 4.3). 
1.2.  The Republic of Moldova is a landlocked co untry although in 2009 it gained indirect maritime 
access by opening the port of Giurgiulesti on the Danube, lodged between Ukraine and Romania. 
There are hopes it could be developed as a transit node in the Euro-Asian transportation network. 
Road and rail are the main modes of transport (section 4.4.3) 
1.3.  Despite a sharp decline in poverty in recent years, the Republic of Moldova is one of the 
poorest countries in Europe, with GDP per capita estimated at US$2,233 in 2014. About 55% of its 
3.6 million people were poor (US$5 a day) in 2011,  significantly lower than 94% in 2002. It ranks 
114
th (out of 187 countries) on the latest UNDP Human Development Index.1  
1.4.  Remittances from large-scale emigration are a major feature of the Republic of Moldova's 
economy.2 In 2003-08, remittances (net) averaged about 29% of GDP and fell to some 21% in 
2009 during the global financial crisis. Since then, remittances have improved reaching US$1,768 million in 2014 (up from  US$1,124 million in 2009), i.e. 22% of GDP. The Russian 
Federation is the main source of the Republic of Moldova's total remittances inflows (more than 
half of the total or about 14% of its GDP in 2014), followed by Italy, Israel and the United States. 
1.5.  The Republic of Moldova's exchange rate regi me is classified as "floating". The National Bank 
of Moldova (NBM) intervenes in the domestic foreign exchange interbank market in order to 
smooth out sharp exchange rate fluctuations of the Moldovan Leu (MDL) against the US dollar.
3 
According to the IMF, while the MDL could be slig htly overvalued, it does not appear to affect 
external competitiveness as strong export performance has been sustained (section 1.3).4  
1.6.  There are no restrictions on foreign exchange operations related to capital inflows into the 
Republic of Moldova, except in cases involving acquisition of agriculture and forestry land by non-residents, and some importations of cash by licensed banks. Receipts by residents from non-residents of loans/credits and guarantees are subj ect to notification to the NBM for statistical 
purposes. Some foreign exchange operations of Moldovan residents (physical and legal persons) 
remain subject to NBM authorization (section 4.4.1.1).
5 The authorities have prepared 
amendments to the Law on the NBM to reinforce its role as a regulator and bank supervisor 
(section 4.1.1). 
1.2  Recent Economic Developments 1.7.  The Republic of Moldova's economy has had a remarkable recovery from the severe recession 
of 2009 which was mainly caused by the global ec onomic crisis. Despite a small drought-related 
contraction in 2012, the real GDP growth rate averaged 5.4% during 2010-14, which was among 
the strongest in the region. This has largely been the result of sound macroeconomic policies taken 
                                               
1 UNDP online information. Viewed at: http://hdr.undp.org/en/c ountries/profiles/MDA . 
2 The rising trend in remittances started on the back  of the 1998 regional crisis, which encouraged many 
Moldovans to work overseas. 
3 The Medium-Term Monetary Policy Strategy (approved by the Decision of the Council of Administration 
of the NBM No. 303 of 27 December 2012) Viewed at: http://www.bnm.md/en/financial_politics_bnm. 
4 IMF (2014a). 
5 Moldovan residents may perform a number of foreign exchange operat ions without rest rictions (e.g. 
those related to direct in vestments, real estate transactions, and commercial loans/credits), while those 
subject to NBM authorization include: certain transactio ns with foreign financial in struments; the opening of 
accounts with financial institutions abroad; and, in certain cases, the provision of loans/credits or guarantees to non-residents. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 12 - 
 
  in recent years, especially through fiscal consolidation, an accommodative monetary policy stance, 
exchange rate flexibility, and trade liberalization efforts.  
1.8.  As a result of the positive economic performance during the review period, the 
unemployment rate, after peaking at 7.4% in 2010, was reduced to 5.1% in 2013. However, 
growth has been volatile reflecting vulnerability to  climatic and geopolitical conditions. In 2014, it 
is estimated that the economy grew 4.6% (d own from 9.4% in 2013), with the unemployment 
rate increasing to 6% (Table 1.1), due to an  important slowdown in agriculture and related 
industries, as well as weaker economic activity in some of its main trading partners, notably 
the Russian Federation and Ukraine. 
Table 1.1 Selected economic indicators, 2009-14a 
 2009  2010  2011  2012 2013 2014b 
Real sector indicators       
Nominal GDP (US$ million) 5,438 5,813 7,016 7,589 8,216 .. 
Nominal GDP (MDL billion) 60.4 71.9 82.3 87.8 99.9 .. 
Real GDP (% change) -6.0 7.1 6.8 -0.7 9.4 4.6 
Agricultural -9.9 7.4 5.2 -20.1 40.6 0.0 
Non-agricultural -5.6 7.1 7.0 2.0 4.9 2.5 
Consumer prices (average; % change) 0.0 7.4 7.6 4.6 4.6 5.1 
Unemployment rate (%) 6.4 7.4 6.7 5.6 5.1 6.0 
Money and banking (% change)       
Broad money (M3) 3.2 13.4 10.6 20.8 26.5 15.9 
Credit to the economy -4.92 12.7 15.0 16.1 18.8 11.3 
Public finances (% of GDP)c       
Overall balance (excluding grants) -8.5 -5.3 -4.5 -3.9 -3.8 -5.4 
Overall balance (including grants) -6.3 -2.5 -2.4 -2.2 -1.8 -2.6 
National accounts (% change)       
Consumption -6.9 7.3 7.3 0.9 5.2 2.8 
Private -8.0 9.6 9.3 1.0 6.5 1.9 
Public -2.0 -1.1 -1.0 0.6 -0.8 7.2 
Gross capital formation -30.9 17.2 13.0 1.8 3.3 3.8 
Exports of goods and services -12.1 13.7 27.4 2.3 10.7 .. 
Imports of goods and services -23.6 14.3 19.7 2.5 5.5 ..  
External sector       
MDL/US$ (period average) 11.1 12.4 11.7 12.1 12.6 14.0 
Real effective exchange rate (average, % 
change ) 7.6 -7.0 5.1 5.6 -3.7 -0.8 
Current account (% of GDP) -8.2 -7.5 -11.0 -7.4 -5.0 -5.7 
External debt (% of GDP) 79.6 81.0 76.4 82.6 83.8 81.8 
Debt service (% of exports of goods and 
services)d 29.2 23.5 20.0 24.4 21.9 24.1 
Public external de bt service (% of 
exports of goods and services) 4.5 3.4 3.0 3.2 3.7 3.3 
Gross official reserves (US$ million) 1,480 1,718 1,965 2,515 2,820 2,157 
In months of imports (of goods and 
services) 4.5 4.6 3.9 5.0 5.3 4.1 
.. Not available. 
a Data exclude the region of Transnistria. 
b Provisional. c General government. d Includes all scheduled payments (principal and inte rest) on all sectoral loans, including other capital 
from foreign parent companies.  
Source: IMF Country Report No. 14/190, July 2014; an d data provided by the Moldovan authorities. 
1.9.   The annual average inflation rate in the Republic of Moldova was 4.9% over 2009-14 which 
is within the NBM's target range of 5% +/- 1.5 percentage points.6 According to the IMF, the 
NBM's current accommodative monetary policy is appropriate but needs to remain vigilant to 
counter emerging inflation risks and adjust its monetary policy accordingly. Headline inflation has been artificially contained (by about 0.5-1 percentage point) due to unchanged utility tariffs over 
                                               
6 Decision of the NBM No. 303, approved on 27 December 2012. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 13 - 
 
  the last few years7, while other product/services are subject to regulated prices (section 3.4.3). 
For 2015, the IMF expects an average inflation rate of 7.5%.8  
1.10.  The Republic of Moldova reduced its overal l budget deficit, excluding grants, from 8.5% of 
GDP in 2009 to 5.4% in 2014 due to the steps taken to strengthen the fiscal policy framework as 
well as buoyant revenues on the back of strong  GDP growth during most of the period under 
review. However, the overall budget deficit (excluding  grants) is expected to increase to 6.6% of 
GDP in 2015 reflecting, inter alia , significant wage and pension increases, new ad hoc tax benefits, 
and weaker economic activity. To reduce the budget  deficit to a level that can be sustained without 
exceptionally high donor support, further measures seem necessary, such as broadening the tax base, fighting tax avoidance and evasion, reformin g the social security and health systems, and 
enhancing privatization.
9 
1.11.  Despite being affected by the global economic crisis and other external shocks, the Republic 
of Moldova's current account deficit, as percenta ge of GDP, decreased from 8.2% in 2009 to 5.7% 
in 2014, after peaking at 11% in 2011. For 2015, the IMF expects a current account deficit of 
4.5% of GDP.10 Exchange rate flexibility and ongoing trade liberalization efforts which have had a 
positive impact on exports are some of the co ntributing factors for the improvement of the 
external sector. With a more sound current account position and appreciable capital flows, the 
NBM was able to build up reserves from US$1,480 million to US$2,157 million over 2009-14 
(Table 1.1).  
1.12.  Traditionally, the Republic of Moldova ha s had a persistent merchandise trade deficit. It 
increased from US$1,949 million in 2009 to US$2,912 million in 2014 (Table 1.2), in line with 
movements of the real exchange rate during the pe riod. Nonetheless, during the first half of 2015 
the MDL depreciated significantly against major currencies partly as a result of transactions that led to the placing of three Moldovan banks under special administration (section 4.4.1.1). This 
depreciation is likely to have a positive effect on the Republic of Moldova's trade balance, while 
contributing to add to inflationary pressures. 
Table 1.2 Balance of payments, 2009-14 
(US$ million) 
 2009  2010  2011  2012 2013 2014a 
Current account -516 -545 -852 -602 -452 -562 
Merchandise trade -1,949 -2,219 -2,869 -2,924 -2,982 -2,912 
Exports 1,327 1,590 2,278 2,229 2,466 2,352 
Wine and alcohol 159 178 181 215 231 190 
Imports -3,276 -3,810 -5,147 -5,152 -5,448 -5,264 
Services (net) -40 -23 31 9 16 -32 
Exports 673 680 861 902 988 959 
Imports -713 -704 -830 -893 -972 -990 
Income (net) 321 505 572 814 861 796 
Current transfers (net)  1,151 1,193 1,415 1,499 1,654 1,586 
Personal transfers (net) 627 589 686 757 836 776 
Capital and financial account 121 371 750 693 570 -259 
Capital account balance -18 -28 -30 -37 -36 -62 
Financial account balance 139 399 779 730 606 -197 
Foreign direct investment 202 204 268 175 207 166 
Portfolio investment and derivatives -6 0 0 21 10 14 
Other investment (net) -57 194 512 533 389 -377 
Errors and omissions 77 64 77 85 68 -68 
Overall balance -318 -111 -25 176 186 -889 
a Preliminary.  
Source: IMF Country Report No. 12/288, October 2012; IMF Country Report No. 14/190, July 2014; and data 
provided by the Moldovan authorities.  
                                               
7 In some utility companies the ta riff level is below the cost recove ry, and it is estimated that the 
needed adjustment in heating and ut ility tariffs is about 10%. To achi eve greater energy efficiency, the 
authorities have launched a comprehensive restructuring of the centralized heating system in Chisinau while more favourable electricity and gas prices have been ne gotiated with foreign suppliers to alleviate expenditure 
pressures. IMF (2014a). 
8 IMF (2015). 
9 According to the IMF, reforming the social securi ty system is needed to put its finances on a 
sustainable path, deal with demographic pressures, and reverse the decline in the replacement rate. IMF 
(2014a). 
10 IMF (2015). WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 14 - 
 
  1.3  Trade and Investment Performance 
1.3.1  Trade in goods and services 1.13.  The Moldovan economy is highly dependent on international trade: its ratio of merchandise 
trade (exports and imports) to GDP averaged  111.8% during 2012-14, up from 110.2% in 2008. 
In 2014, the Republic of Moldova ranked 104
th among world merchandise exporters and 101st 
among importers (considering EU member States as one and excluding intra-EU trade).11 
1.14.  Merchandise exports increased from US$1,283 million to US$2,339.5 million during the 
period. Agriculture represented 46.2% of total merchandise exports in 2014 (against 47.5% in 
2009). Wine of fresh grapes contributed with 4.8% of total merchandise exports in 2014 (10% in 2009). The remaining Moldovan exports are ma nufactures (51.4%), led by machinery and 
transport equipment and clothing, and mining  (2.4%) (Table A1.1 and Chart 1.1).  
1.15.  Merchandise exports are also highly conc entrated geographically. In 2014, 53.3% of total 
exports were shipped to the EU (compared with 52.3% in 2009), while countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) received 32.5% (38.9% in 2009). In 2014, Romania 
became the largest single export market of the Republic of Moldova (18.6% of total merchandise 
exports), followed by the Russian Federation wi th 18.1% (22.3% in 2009). The shares of China, 
Japan and the United States are negligible (Table A1.3 and Chart 1.2). 
1.16.  Merchandise imports went up from US$3,278 million in 2009 to US$5,317 million in 2014. 
Manufactures, led by machinery and transport eq uipment and chemicals, represented 62.5% of 
total Moldovan merchandise imports in 2014 (61.1% in 2009). The share of mineral fuels in total merchandise imports averaged 22% during 2009-14 (Table A1.2). Agriculture products contributed 
14.5% to total merchandise imports in 2014, down from 16.7% in 2009 (Chart 1.1). 
1.17.  The EU was the source of 48.3% of total merchandise imports in 2014 (43.4% in 2009), led 
by Romania whose participation increased from 9.5% in 2009 to 15.1% in 2014. The share of CIS 
countries went from 34.8% in 2009 to 27.3% in 2014, partly due to a decrease in the participation 
of Ukraine from 14% to 10.3% during the same pe riod. The share of the Russian Federation went 
from 11.4% in 2009 to 13.5% in 2014. Imports from China and Turkey are also significant, while 
that of the United States is marginal (Table A1.4 and Chart 1.2). 
1.18.  In services trade, the Republic of Moldova ranked 102
nd as exporter and 112th as importer in 
the world (considering EU member States as one and excluding intra-EU trade) in 2013.12 Balance 
of payments data indicate that it is a net import er of services although its deficit decreased from 
US$40 million in 2009 to US$32 million in 2014, whil e in 2011-13 it was a net services exporter 
(Table 1.2). Net outflows have occurred in the form of payments for foreign travel and trade-
related transport. 
                                               
11 WTO Statistics database, "Trade Profiles : The Republic of Moldova". Viewed at: 
http://stat.wto.org/CountryProfile /WSDBCountryPFHome.aspx?Language=E . 
12 WTO Statistics database, "Trade Profiles : The Republic of Moldova". Viewed at: 
http://stat.wto.org/CountryProfile /WSDBCountryPFHome.aspx?Language=E . WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 15 - 
 
  Chart 1.1 Product composition of merchandise trade, 2009 and 2014 
2009 2014
(a)    Exports (f.o.b.)
Other semi-
manuf.  5.1%Manufactures
50.8%
Total:   US$1.3 billion Total:  US$2.3 billion
(b)    Imports (c.i.f.)
Chemicals
14.1%Transport 
equipment
4.7%
Manufactures
61.1%Electrical 
machines  
9.7%Non-electrical 
machinery 
4.7%
Other mining
11.5%Electrical
machines
8.8%
Other semi-
manufactures  
12.6%
Chemicals
15.0%Manufactures
62.5%
Total:   US$3.3 billion Total:  US$5.3 billionManufactures
51.4%
Petroleum & 
petroleum products
11.5%Mining
1.7%Clothing
17.7%
Machinery &
transport 
equipment  
12.0%Other consumer 
goods  10.2%
Mining
2.4%Other semi-
manuf.  4.6%
Other consumer 
goods  7.8%Clothing 
11.9%
Machinery &
transport
equipment  
14.4%
Other semi-
manufactures
12.7%
Agriculture
14.5%Agriculture
16.7%Transport 
equipment
5.5%Chemicals
4.9%Chemicals
7.5%Agriculture
47.5%Textiles
2.6%
Other mining
11.1% Petroleum & 
petroleum products
11.1% Non-electrical
machinery
6.9%
Other 
consumer 
goods  
7.1%Textiles & clothing
7.4%Other consumer goods
8.5%
Textiles & 
clothing
6.6%Agriculture
46.2%Textiles
2.7%
 
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3), and in formation provided by the Moldovan authorities.  WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 16 - 
 
  Chart 1.2 Direction of merchandise trade, 2009 and 2014 
2009 2014
(a)    Exports (f.o.b.)
CIS
38.9%
Total:   US$1.3 billion Total:  US$2.3 billion
(b)    Imports (c.i.f.)
EU28
43.4%Romania
9.5%Other
9.0%
EU28
48.3%Other
9.7%Russian 
Federation
11.4%
Romania
15.1%
Total:   US$3.3 billion Total:   US$5.3 billionUkraine
6.3%
United Kingdom
4.6%Turkey
5.7%Ukraine
10.3%Italy
10.6%Romania
18.6%Russian Federation
18.1%
China 
7.5%Russian Federation
22.3%
EU28
53.3%Turkey
2.5%Other
9.8%
Italy
6.6%Other CIS
0.9%
Italy
7.1%United Kingdom
4.7%Belarus
6.3%
Ukraine
4.7%
Romania
18.7%Turkey
4.5%
Russian 
Federation
13.5%
Germany
7.7%Turkey
5.3%Ukraine
14.0%Other
6.4%
Other EU28
13.8%
United 
Kingdom
4.7%CIS
27.3% CIS
34.8%CIS
32.5%
Belarus
2.7%Belarus
5.8%
China
9.0%EU28
52.3%Other CIS
4.0%
Other CIS
5.2%
Germany
8.0%Germany
5.9%Other CIS
3.9%
Other EU28
12.4%
Italy
10.4%Germany
5.9%United Kingdom
4.6%
Other EU28
14.5%Belarus
4.2%
Other EU28
13.9%
 
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database , and information provided by the Moldovan authorities.  
1.3.2  Foreign direct investment 
1.19.  The Republic of Moldova's potential for attracting foreign investors and fostering domestic 
investment remains largely untapped. Its FDI inflows averaged some US$224 million per year during 2009-14 (Table 1.3). According to external sources, FDI has been inhibited by several WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 17 - 
 
  factors, notably corruption, policy instability and access to finance.13 Some measures have recently 
been taken to attract larger FDI inflows and improve the business climate (sections 2.3 and 2.5) as shown in the World Bank's report on doing business where the ranking of the Republic of 
Moldova went from 103
rd (out of 181 economies) in 2009 to 63rd (out of 189 economies) in 2015.14 
Table 1.3 FDI, 2009-14 
(US$ million) 
 2009  2010  2011  2012 2013 2014  
FDI inflows 208 208 288 195 236 207 
FDI inward stock 2,773 2,964 3,261 3,467 3,615 3,647 
FDI inward stock (% of GDP) 51.0 51.0 46.5 47.6 45.3 45.9 
FDI outflows 7 4 21 20 29 41 
FDI outward stock 64 68 88 108 137 178 
FDI outward stock (% of GDP) 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.7 2.2 
Source: UNCTAD (2015), World Investment Report 2015 , Geneva.  
1.20.  In 2014, 25.9% of FDI stock was allocated to financial intermediation (25.9%), followed by 
the manufacturing sector (22.4%, wholesale and retail trade (14.2%); real estate (11%); 
transport, storage and communication (10.3%);  electricity, gas and water supply (7.1%); 
healthcare and social assistance (1.4%); and agriculture, hunting and forestry (1.3%). Traditionally, FDI in the Republic of Moldova has been dominated by investment from the EU 
countries (53% of FDI stock in 2014), and the Russian Federation (9.2%). The United States, 
Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine are also important investors in the Republic of Moldova. 
1.4  Outlook 1.21.  Under the National Development Strategy "Moldova 2020", the authorities aim to achieve 
annual average real GDP growth rates of 5-7% during 2015-20 and further reduce poverty by 
increasing productivity and competitiveness. To do  so, they intend to replace the economic model 
used in the past largely based on consumption fuelled by remittances to a model supported on 
investment and development of goods- and services-exporting industries. The following key areas 
are to be given special attention: education, business environment, infrastructure, financial sector, energy consumption, pension system, an d judicial framework (section 2.2).
15  
1.22.  For 2015, the IMF expects a contraction in real GDP growth to 1%16, mainly due to further 
slowdown in economic activity in its main trading partners. Indeed, some of the main risks to the country's outlook relate to the geopolitical uncertainty in the region: fluctuations in remittances from workers abroad (22% of GDP in 2014); exports to the EU and CIS represented 85.8% of total 
merchandise exports in 2014, while imports from these countries reached 81% of the total in 
2014; and donor support, i.e. about 10% of government spending. Moreover, possible disruption of trade routes and gas supply can severely impact the economy since all land routes to CIS 
countries pass through Ukraine, and the Republic of Moldova is heavily reliant on Russian gas 
transported via pipelines in Ukraine (99.7% of total gas consumption) (section 4.3.3).
17  
1.23.  Steady implementation of structural reforms (especially in the business environment, 
physical infrastructure, and human resources development areas), and prudent macroeconomic 
policies seem critical to boost potential growth and reduce poverty in the Republic of Moldova. According to the IMF, further strengthening of fi scal and external buffers in the form of high 
international reserves and low public debt, combined with additional donor support would also be 
crucial for mitigating the possible impact of further external shocks, particularly in light of the 
Republic of Moldova's strong links and synchroniz ed business cycle with its key trading partners.
18 
                                               
13 World Economic Forum online information. Viewed at: http://reports.weforum.org/global-
competitiveness-report-2014-2015/economies/#economy=MDA . 
14 World Bank online information. Viewed at: 
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/moldova . 
15 State Chancellery of the Government of the Republic of Moldova (2012). 
16 IMF (2015). 
17 IMF (2014a). 
18 IMF (2014a). WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 18 - 
 
  2  TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIME 
2.1  General Framework 2.1.  The Republic of Moldova became independent on 27 August 1991 as part of the dissolution of 
the Soviet Union. On 28 July 1994, the Republic of Moldova adopted a new Constitution, with the 
powers of the State divided among the execut ive, legislative and judicial branches.  
2.2.  The Republic of Moldova is a parliamentary republic with the President as head of state and 
the prime minister as head of government. The President is elected by the Parliament for a 
four-year term, requiring the support of three-fifths of the deputies (at least 61 votes).
1 The prime 
minister assembles the cabinet, both subject to parliamentary approval. The Parliament, a 
unicameral assembly with 101 deputies, is directly  elected for four-year terms by proportional 
representation.  
2.3.  The judicial branch encompasses the Supreme Court of Justice, Courts of Appeal and ordinary 
courts. The Supreme Court of Justice is the highest court and has the power to review decisions made by lower courts. The Constitutional Court is independent of legislative, executive and 
judiciary powers and obeys only to the Cons titution guaranteeing the supremacy of the 
Constitution. The Constitutional Court, inter alia , exercises, upon appeal, the constitutionality 
review over laws and decisions of the Parliament, Presidential decrees, decisions and ordinances of 
the Government, as well as the international treaties to which the Republic of Moldova is a party. 
2.4.  The Constitution recognises the principle of local autonomy and states that all local issues be 
resolved and managed by local authorities, which operate independently pursuant to law. Each level of public administration has its own and delegated functions. The Republic of Moldova is 
divided into 37 first-tier units: 32 districts, 3 municipalities, one autonomous territorial unit 
(Gagauzia), and one territorial unit (Transnistria). 
2.5.  Under Law No. 344 of 23 December 1994 "On Special Judicial Statute of the Gagauz-Yeri", 
Gagauzia was granted special legal status. The autonomy of this region was established in 
economic matters mostly concerning the administration of its own budget and running economic activity.
2 Nonetheless, Gagauzia has no autonomous authority with respect to foreign trade which 
is exclusive responsibility of the central Government (section 2.2). 
2.6.  Transnistria, a region bordering Ukraine, has been de facto  independent since 1992. A 
mediation process (involving the Republic of Moldova, Transnistria, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the Organization for Security and Cooper ation in Europe (OSCE), plus the European Union 
(EU) and the United States as observers) has been ongoing since 1992. Unless otherwise stated, 
Transnistria is excluded from this Review for lack of information on the application of Moldovan laws and regulations therein.  
2.2  Trade Policy Formulation 
2.7.  Formulation and implementation of trade an d investment policy lies with the Ministry of 
Economy (ME). It is responsible for: WTO issues (section 2.4.1), negotiating and implementing 
Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) (section 2.4.2), and for promoting trade and investment 
(section 2.5). The ME oversees several institutions including the Licensing Chamber, the Investigation Body for contingency trade measures, and the National Institute of Standardization. The ME also cooperates with other ministries and trade-related agencies, notably the Customs 
Service under the Ministry of Finance. The ME holds consultations with the private sector in the 
formulation of the trade policy on ad hoc  basis, including organizing briefings on RTA negotiations.  
2.8.  The WTO Agreements and current and future trade relations with the EU are the main factors 
influencing the Republic of Moldova's trade regime. The key foreign trade-related laws and 
regulations include the Law Approving the Combin ed Nomenclature of Goods and the Tax Code, 
                                               
1 The President of Moldova has been elected by the Parliament since 2001, a change designed to 
decrease executive authority in favour of the legislature. 
2 WTO document WT/ACC/MOL/37, 11 January 2001. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 19 - 
 
  while the Law on Investments in Entrepreneurial Activity regulates foreign investment 
(Table A2.1). A new Customs Code is being drafted (section 3.1.1). 
2.9.  The hierarchy of legal instruments in the Republic of Moldova is: its Constitution, organic and 
ordinary laws approved by the Parliament, as well as other normative acts issued by the 
Government and other public authorities. Legal instruments are published in the Official Gazette  
("Monitorul Oficial"). In the even t of discrepancies between national  and international legislation, 
the latter prevails. 
2.3  Policy Objectives 
2.10.  The main factor shaping the Republic of Moldova's foreign trade policy is its goal to accede 
to the EU. It aims to have EU candidate status  by 2017 and full EU membership by 2020. This will 
require the Republic of Moldova to align its legislative framework with the acquis communautaire ; 
harmonization is already ongoing in certain areas, such as energy and civil aviation. In June 2014, 
the Republic of Moldova and the EU signed th eir Association Agreement which has three main 
components: visa liberalisation (which went ahea d in April 2014), increased political cooperation, 
and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) (section 2.4.2).  
2.11.  Under the National Development Strategy "Moldova 2020", published in November 2012, 
the following seven long-term strategic objectives were identified3:  
 "aligning the education system to labour market needs in order to enhance labour 
productivity and increase employment in the economy;  
 increasing public investment in the national and local road infrastructure, in order to reduce 
transportation costs and increase the speed of access;  
 reducing financing costs by increasing competition in the financial sector and developing risk 
management tools;  
 improving the business climate, promoting competition policies, streamlining the regulatory 
framework and applying information technologies in public services for businesses and 
citizens;  
 reducing energy consumption by increasing en ergy efficiency and using renewable energy 
sources;  
 ensuring financial sustainability of the pension system in order to secure an appropriate rate 
of wage replacement; and  
 increasing the quality and efficiency of justice and fighting corruption in order to ensure an 
equitable access to public goods for all citizens".  
2.4  Trade Agreements and Arrangements 2.4.1  WTO 
2.12.  The Republic of Moldova applied for accessi on to the GATT in November 1993. Following the 
conclusion of the Uruguay Round, it applied to accede to the WTO on 31 January 1995. The Republic of Moldova became the 142
nd Member of the WTO on 26 July 2001, 30 days after it had 
been confirmed that the Protocol of Accession ha d been ratified by the Moldovan Parliament. Its 
accession to the WTO including its Protocol and th e provisions of the WTO supersede any domestic 
laws and regulations found to contradict them. De spite acceding to the WTO in 2001, this is the 
first Trade Policy Review of  the Republic of Moldova. 
2.13.  The Republic of Moldova grants at least MFN treatment to all its trading partners. It is 
neither a party to the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) nor to the plurilateral agreements on government procurement (although it is in the process of joining the GPA, section 3.1.10) and 
                                               
3 State Chancellery of the Government of the Republic of Moldova (2012). WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 20 - 
 
  trade in civil aircraft. The Republic of Moldova fully supports the multilateral trading system and 
the ongoing Doha Round, notably the Agreement on Trade Facilitation.4  
2.14.  The Republic of Moldova has been involved in two trade disputes, both involving Ukraine: 
one as complainant5, and one as respondent.6 According to the authorities, both cases are to be 
solved through bilateral dialogue. 
2.15.  The Republic of Moldova has made regular no tifications to the WTO (Table 2.1), in particular 
over the recent years. At the end of 2014, it had 27 outstanding notifications (down from 43 in 
2009).7 It has also regularly submitted tariff data to the WTO Integrated Data Base (IDB). 
Table 2.1 Selected notifications, 2002-2015 
Agreement Requirement/contents Most recent notifications 
Agriculture 
Articles 10 and 18.2  Export subsidies (outlays and 
quantities) G/AG/N/MOL/1, 11.11.2002 
Article 12.1(b) Export prohibitions or restrictions G/AG/N/MOL/3, 11.03.2011 
Article 18.2 - DS:1 Domestic support G/AG/N/MOL/4/Rev.1, 14.01.2015 
G/AG/N/MDA/3, 15.01.2015 
Article 18.2 – MA:1 Administration of tariff quotas G/AG/N/MDA/1, 09.09.2014 
Article 18.2 – MA:2 Imports under tariff quotas G/AG/N/MDA/2, 09.09.2014 
Article VI of the GATT 1994 
(Anti-Dumping) 
Article 16.4  Anti-dumping actions taken and 
competent authorities G/ADP/N/259, 23.06.2014 
G/ADP/N/1/MDA/1, 12.02.2002 
Import Licencing Procedures 
Article 7.3 Questionnaire; rules and information 
concerning import licensing 
procedures G/LIC/N/3/MDA/3, 03.03.2015 
G/LIC/N/3/MDA/2, 23.09.2013 
G/LIC/N/3/MDA/1, 08.02.2002 
Articles 5.1-5.4 Ad hoc G/LIC/N/2/MDA/1, 16.10.2008 
Articles 1.4(a) and 8.2(b) Changes to laws and regulations and 
related information on procedures G/LIC/N/1/MDA/2, 23.09.2013 
G/LIC/N/1/MDA/1, 22.01.2002 
Market Access  Quantitative restrictions G/MA/182, 09.01.2006 
Rules of Origin  Paragraph 4 of Annex II Preferential rules of origin G/RO/N/121, 14.10.2014 
G/RO/N/110, 14.02.2014 G/RO/N/106, 19.09.2013 
Article 5.1 Non-preferential rules of origin  G/RO/N/36, 12.03.2002 
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  
Article 7, Annex B Changes in sanitary and 
phytosanitary measures and 
information on measures applied, 
including emergency measures G/SPS/N/MDA/3, 01.08.2014 
G/SPS/N/MDA/2, 31.07.2006 
G/SPS/N/MDA/1, 31.07.2006 
State Trading 
GATT 1994 Art. XVII: 4(a) and 
Par. 1 of the Understanding on 
the Interpretation of Art. XVII Activities of state-trading 
enterprises. G/STR/N/15/MDA, 04.03.2015 
G/STR/N/14/MDA, 20.09.2013 
G/STR/N/13/MDA and 
G/STR/N/12/MDA, 12.05.2011 
G/STR/N/11/MDA, 12.05.2006 
G/STR/N/9/MDA/Corr.1 and 
G/STR/N/10/MDA/Corr.1, 07.12.2004 
G/STR/N/8/MDA, 06.10.2003 
G/STR/N/7/MDA, 12.02.2002 
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  
Article 25.1- -GATT 1994  Article XVI:1 New and full notification G/SCM/N/220/MDA and 
G/SCM/N/253/MDA, 04.11.2013 
G/SCM/N/1/MDA/1, 12.02.2002 
Article 25.11 Semi-annual report G/SCM/N/274, 23.06.2014 
Safeguards  Article 12.6 Safeguard legislation G/SG/N/1/MDA/1, 12.02.2002 
Article 12.1 (a) Initiation of an investigation G/SG/N/8/MDA/2/Corr.1, 
G/SG/N/10/MDA/2/Corr.1 and 
G/SG/N/11/MDA/3/Corr.1, 14.02.2008 
G/SG/N/6/MDA/3, 27.08.2007 
Article 12.1 (b) (c) Finding, decision G/SG/N/10/MDA/2/Suppl.1, 
19.02.2008 
G/SG/N/8/MDA/2, G/SG/N/10/MDA/2 
and G/SG/N/11/MDA/3, 21.12.2007 
                                               
4 The Republic of Moldova has already made its no tification of Category A commitments under the 
Agreement on Trade Facilitation. WTO docume nt WT/PCTF/N/1/MDA/1, 19 September 2014. 
5 Ukraine — Taxes on Distilled spirits. See WTO document series DS423. 
6 The Republic of Moldova — Measures Affectin g the Importation and Internal Sale of Goods 
(Environmental Charge), with Ukraine as complainant. See WTO document series DS421. 
7 WTO documents G/L/223/Rev.17, 15 March 2010; and G/L/223/Rev.22, 16 March 2015. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 21 - 
 
  Agreement Requirement/contents Most recent notifications 
Article 12.5 Mid-term review G/SG/N/13/MDA/1/Rev.1, 15.03.2007 
Technical Barriers to Trade 
Annex 3 (c) Code of Good Practice G/TBT/CS/N/182, 23.08.2013 
Article 15.2 Administrative arrangements; 
laws/regulation G/TBT/2/Add.68/Suppl.1, 10.10.2006 
Article 10.6 Ad hoc G/TBT/N/MDA/21, 28.05.2014 
G/TBT/N/MDA/23, 08.09.2014 G/TBT/N/MDA/24, 08.09.2014 
Trade in Services  
Article III:3, paragraph 3 Changes in laws, regulations and 
administrative guidelines S/ENQ/78/Rev.13, 04.12.2012 
S/C/N/743/Add.1, 19.09.2014 
TRIMs 
Article 6.2 Publications G/TRIMS/N/2/Rev.9/Add.7, 
23.09.2002 
TRIPS 
Article 63.2 Laws and regulations IP/N/1/MDA/2, 30.10.2013 
IP/N/6/MDA/1, 28.01.2002 
Article 69  IP/N/3/Rev.6, 01.03.2002 
Trade Facilitation Category A commitments WT/PCTF/N/MDA/1, 19.09.2014 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
2.4.2  Regional Trade Agreements 
2.16.  The Republic of Moldova has 14 regional trade agreements (RTAs) in force encompassing 
45 partners: Albania; Armenia; Azerbaijan, Republic of; Belarus; Bosnia and Herzegovina; 
the EU-28; Georgia; Kazakhstan; UNMIK/Kosovo; Kyrgyz Republic; FYR of Macedonia; 
Montenegro; the Russian Federation; Serbia; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; Ukraine; and Uzbekistan. Seven of Moldova's RTAs have been notified to the WTO, some of which have been reviewed by 
the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements, while seven RTAs are still to be notified 
(Table A2.2). On 11 September 2014, the Republic of Moldova also signed a free trade agreement with Turkey, which is not yet in force. 
2.17.  In 2014, merchandise trade with RTA partners accounted for 76.2% of the Republic of 
Moldova's total imports and 85.9% of total exports. According to the authorities, the Republic of 
Moldova provides duty free treatmen t in all of its RTAs in force with the exception of the DCFTA 
(section 3.1.4.3). 
Relations with the EU  
2.18.  The Republic of Moldova and the EU sign ed a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement on 
28 November 1994; it came into force in 1998. On 27 June 2014, the Republic of Moldova and the 
EU signed their Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) 
and have applied it provisionally since 1 Septem ber 2014. It currently coexists with the EU's 
Regulation on Autonomous Trade Preferences (section 2.4.3).
8 The DCFTA will come fully into force 
once it is ratified by all national Parliaments of EU member states. The Republic of Moldova is 
following a National Action Plan for the Implementation of its Association Agreement with the EU.9 
2.19.  The DCFTA covers trade in goods and services including tariff elimination or reduction over a 
maximum of 10 years. On import duties, the process will be "asymmetric": while EU import duties 
on most Moldovan products will be eliminated, th ose on key EU products entering the Republic of 
Moldova will be removed over 10 years. It also contains provisions on the facilitation of customs procedures, on anti-fraud measures and trade defence instruments. A bilateral dispute settlement 
procedure is envisaged to solve issues in an expeditious manner. 
2.20.  The DCFTA also provides for further open ing of the services mark ets and improvement of 
establishment conditions for investors. It sets a path to bring Moldovan legislation closer to that of the EU acquis  in a wide number of regulatory policy areas, such as rules for export of agricultural 
goods and food safety in general, regulations for industrial products and conformity assessment, 
                                               
8 EU online information. Viewed at: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-
regions/countries/moldova/ . 
9 Approved by Government Decision No. 808 of 7 October 2014. MFA online information. Viewed at: 
http://www.mfa.gov.md/association-agreement-ro/ . WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 22 - 
 
  management of customs, including enforcement of intellectual property rights at the border, rules 
on public procurement and wide alignment to the EU rules in services.10  
2.21.  The EU is the biggest trading partner of the Republic of Moldova accounting for 53.3% of 
merchandise exports and 48.3% of its imports in 2014. The EU is also the main investor in the 
Republic of Moldova. An independent study predicts that the DCFTA, once fully into force, will 
increase Moldovan exports to and imports from th e EU by 16% and 8%, respectively. The Republic 
of Moldova's GDP could increase by 5.4% or €142 million in the long-term.11 
2.4.3  Other arrangements 
2.22.  Over the last few years, the Republic of Moldova has received Generalised System of 
Preferences (GSP) treatment from Canada, the EU, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, and 
the United States.12  
2.23.  Since 1 March 2008, the Republic of Moldova has been benefitting from the EU's 
Autonomous Trade Preferences (ATP) scheme which currently coexists with the DCFTA. The ATP offers free access to the EU market without quantitative restrictions and customs fees, withdrawal 
of tariff caps for industrial products and improved access to the EU market for agricultural 
products. The exceptions are a small number of goods considered as sensitive for the EU and subject to annual duty-free tariff quotas, and fruit and vegetables, fresh or chilled, for which the 
import duties are applied excluding the ad valorem  component. In December 2013, the ATP was 
amended to extend duty-free treatment to Moldovan wine. The ATP will apply until 31 
December 2015 to make it easier for business to adapt during the transition period between the 
ATP and the DCFTA.
13 
2.5  Investment regime 
2.24.  The legal framework regulating foreign investment is contained in the Law on Investments 
in Entrepreneurial Activity.14 It refers, inter alia , to legal, social and economic principles of 
organization and development of investment activity  in the Republic of Moldova, defines rights and 
responsibilities of investors, responsibilities of pu blic authorities in investment activity, guarantees 
provided by the state for local and foreign investors, and methods of resolution of investment 
disputes. In addition, the Constitution ensures non-discriminatory treatment and guarantees the 
inviolability of both foreign and domestic investments of natural and juridical persons.15 
2.25.  The Ministry of Economy (ME) is responsible for maintaining a favourable investment 
climate. The ME’s priorities include improving the business environment, increasing economic 
competitiveness particularly in light of the implementation of the DCFTA, and modernizing the 
infrastructure to attract larger FDI inflows (sec tion 1.3.2). The Moldova Investment and Export 
Promotion Organization (MIEPO) is a public non-profit institution coordinating policy 
implementation for competitiveness, export promotio n and investment attraction in the Republic of 
Moldova.16  
2.26.  The Republic of Moldova allows full foreign participation in most activities. However, 
regarding financial services, residents from jurisdictions that do not apply international standards 
on transparency are not allowed to buy and/or have direct or indirect holdings in a bank’s capital. Additionally, without a prior written approval received from the National Bank of Moldova: (i) nobody may acquire a qualifying holding in a bank’s share capital or increase his/her qualifying 
holding; (ii) nobody is allowed to acquire a holding in a bank’s share capital if for that holding the 
voting rights have been suspended; and (iii) nobody may contribute with his/her bank’s shares to 
                                               
10 WTO document WT/REG352/1, 13 April 2015. 
11 EU online information. Viewed at: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/do clib/press/index.cfm?id=994 . 
12 WTO PTA Database. Viewed at: http://ptadb.wto.org/ ; and UNCTAD (2011). 
13 EU online information. Viewed at: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-
regions/countries/moldova/ . 
14 Law No. 81-XV of 18 March 2004. 
15 Other laws affecting foreign inve stment include: the Law on Property; the Law on Entrepreneurship 
and Enterprises; the Law on Joint Stock Companies; the Law on Small business Support; the Law on Financial 
Institution; the Law on Franchising, and the Tax Code. 
16 MIEPO was created under Government Decision No . 109 on 12 February 2014. MIEPO is member of 
the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies, and its services are free of charge. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 23 - 
 
  the capital of other companies. These requirements  are of prudential character aimed at providing 
protection of investors, depositors and at ensuring the integrity and stability of the local financial system, and they refer both to local and foreign investors (section 4.4.1.1).  
2.27.  Foreign investors may lease agricultural land for up to 99 years (section 4.1.1). Foreigners 
may become owners of such land only through inheritance and may only transfer the land to 
Moldovan citizens. Foreigners are permitted to buy all other forms of property in the Republic of 
Moldova, including land plots under privatized enterprises and land designated for construction.
17 
2.28.  Enterprises registered in the Republic of Moldova (local and foreign), including those 
established in Free Economic Zones and/or industrial parks, benefit from various incentives in accordance with the Tax Code and other fiscal legislation (sections 3.3.5 and 3.4.1). 
2.29.  No minimum level of investment is required to invest in the Republic of Moldova. 
Investments cannot be subject to expropriation or to any other similar measures which can 
directly or indirectly deprive investors of their property right or the right to control investments, unless the following conditions are met: the measure is undertaken for the general public good 
with a fair and preliminary compensation and it is not discriminatory; and it is due to contractual 
conditions established under public-private partners hip. The public utility and the compensation of 
damage shall be determined in accordance with  the Law on expropriation of public utility.
18  
2.30.  Investors have the right to sue public authorities for damages caused due to illegal actions 
and decisions. For the domestic investor the compensation is paid in Moldovan Leu, and for the foreign investor in domestic  and/or foreign currency.  
2.31.  The Republic of Moldova has 39 bilateral investment treaties (BITs)
19 and 47 double 
taxation agreements (DTAs) in force.20 It is also a contracting party to the International Centre for 
Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). Since 1992, the Republic of Moldova has been a member of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).  
2.5.1  Starting a business 
2.32.  Under the National Development Strategy "Moldova 2020", the authorities aim to further 
improve the process by which businesses are established (sections 1.3.2 and 2.3). Establishing a 
business entity in the Republic of Moldova involves registration with the State Register of Legal 
Entities held by the State Registration Chamber (SRC) of the Ministry of Justice.
21 The following 
forms of business legal entities may be incorporated in the Republic of Moldova: limited liability company (LLC); joint-stock company (JSC); general partnership; limited partnership; and 
cooperative. The State Registration Chamber registers LLC/JSC within five business days (standard 
procedure) or four hours - one day (fast procedure) of submitting all the required documents.
22 
The JSC shares need to be subsequently registered with the National Commission for Financial 
                                               
17 Price Waterhouse Coopers (2014). 
18 Law No. 81-XV of 18 March 2004. 
19 Albania; Austria; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Belgium and Luxembourg; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; 
China; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Repu blic; Estonia; Finland; France; Ge orgia; Germany; Greece; Hungary; 
Israel; Italy; Kuwait; Kyrgyzstan; Latvia; Lithuania;  Montenegro; Netherlands; Poland; Romania; Russian 
Federation; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Switzerland; Ta jikistan; Turkey; Ukraine; United Kingdom; United 
States and Uzbekistan. The Republic of  Moldova also signed a BIT with Iran  (Islamic Republic of) which is not 
in force. UNCTAD online informatio n. Viewed at: http://unctad.org/Sect ions/dite_pcbb/docs/bits_moldova.pdf. 
20 Albania; Armenia; Austria; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Belgium; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Canada; 
China; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Repu blic; Estonia; Finland; France; Ge orgia; Germany; Greece; Hungary; 
Ireland; Israel; Italy; Ja pan; Kazakhstan; Kuwait; Kyrgyzstan; La tvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; FYR of 
Macedonia ; Netherlands; Oman; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Russian Federation; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Switzerland; Tajikistan; Turk ey; Ukraine; United Kingdom; Uzbeki stan; and Turkmenistan. The Republic 
of Moldova also signed a DTA with Malta, which will enter in force on 1 January 2016. The list of countries and the texts of DTAs can be viewed at: http://mf.gov.md/cooperinternal/es/trintern/trataplic.  UNCTAD online 
information. Viewed at: http://unctad.org/Sections/d ite_pcbb/docs/dtt_Moldova.pdf . 
21 The SRC transfers information on newly-incorporated entities to statistical and tax authorities, as well 
as to social and medical insurance authorities on the ba sis of the "one-stop-shop" principle introduced in 2010. 
22 The fees to be paid to the State Registration Ch amber for the incorporation of an LLC vary between 
€22-79 depending on the procedure applied (standard or fast), while those for the incorporation of a JSC vary 
between €31-117. These terms and fees do not include th e time / costs necessary for the authentication and 
translation of notarized documents, nor the time  necessary for the transfer of share capital. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 24 - 
 
  Market (NCFM); registration takes 15 business days from the submission of the required 
documentation.23 
2.33.  Under Article 8 of the Law on Regulation by Licensing of Entrepreneurial Activity, certain 
types of economic activities are subject to licen ces (Box 2.1), issued by the relevant public 
authority.24 In some cases, the specific form of business organisation is regarded as a special 
requirement for obtaining a licence (e.g. only JSC may obtain licences for banking and insurance activities). Foreign legal entities and individuals may incorporate companies in the Republic of 
Moldova (both LLC and JSC), either as sole shareh olders owning 100% of the statutory capital or 
in partnership with a local company or individual . Both LLC and JSC are legal entities liable for 
their obligations with all the assets they own.
25 The minimum capital requirement for a JSC cannot 
be less than MDL 20,000. The share capital of a li mited liability company is established by its 
shareholders in its articles of association and may be deposited within a period of six months.  
2.34.  Under Moldovan legislation, there is no concept of a registered commercial branch of a 
foreign entity. A representative office established in the Republic of Moldova by a non-resident 
company is not a legal entity and may not carry out entrepreneurial activity. 
Box 2.1 Activities subject to licensing 
1  Audit activity; 
2  Real estate assessment activity;  
3  Commodity exchanges activity; 
4  Activities with precious metals an d precious stones; pawnshop activity; 
5  The field of gambling activity: organizing and conducting lotteries (except the activities that are state 
monopoly exercised under the Law No. 285-XIV of 18 February 1999 on gambling), running casinos, 
operating cash slot machines, establishing sports betting; 
6  Import and storage of alcohol; importation, storage and wholesale of  alcoholic beverages and/or beer; 
7  Manufacture of ethyl alcohol, beer, alcoholic beve rages, except for wine and wine-based beverages, 
and/or storing and wholesale of ethyl alcohol, beer, alcoholic beverages, except for wine and wine-based 
drinks produced by local manufacturers; 
8  Importation of tobacco articles; im port and/or industrial processing of tobacco; production of tobacco 
articles and/or wholesale distribution of  tobacco articles an d fermented tobacco; 
9  Veterinary pharmaceutic al activity and/or veterinary care (except activity carried out by the state 
veterinary service); 
10  Import and/or storage, sale of phytosanitary prod ucts and / or fertilizers; 
11  Public passenger road transport; 
12  Design activity for all types of construction, planning, installations and public utility networks, 
reconstruction and restoration; 
13  Construction of buildings and/ or engineering structures, engineering and technical installations and 
networks, reconstruction, re inforcement, restoration; 
14  Mining operations and/or bottling mineral and natural drinking water; 
15  Topographic and geodesic an d/or cartographic activities; 
16  Collection, storage, processing , marketing and export of waste and scrap of ferrous and nonferrous 
metals, used accumulator batteries, including processed; 
17  Import and/or manufacture, storage, wholesale of toxic chemical substances an d materials, of articles 
and of household chemicals; 
18  Production and destruction of seals; 
                                               
23 The fee for the registration of JSC shares  is 0.4% of the amount of stock issue. 
24 The list of activities subject to licensing is expressly provided by the Law. A licence may be obtained 
through the online platform of the Moldovan Licensing Chamber ( www.servicii.gov.md ). 
25 The shareholders are not liable for the company’s ob ligations. Accordingly, the company is not liable 
for the obligations of its shareholders. The JSC shares  are regarded as securities and may be traded on 
regulated capital markets. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 25 - 
 
  19  Private detective or security activity; 
20  Installation and/or adjustment, maintenance of the systems of automatic fire signaling, fighting and 
protection of buildings agains t smoke and fire notification; 
21  Manufacture, import and/or export, re-export, tra fficking of weapons and ammunition for civil use and 
repair of weapons for civil use; 
22  Import, export, sale, storage of explosive materials and/or execution of works with explosives for civil 
uses; 
23  Manufacture, import, export, re-exp ort, storage, sale of fireworks and/or the provision of services 
"Pyrotechnic performances an d fireworks" with entertainment pyrote chnic products for professional use; 
24  Import, export, design, production and sale of cryptographic and technical devices for information 
protection, of special technical devices for obtaining secret information; services in the field of cryptographic 
and technical protection of information (except activities of public authorities vested with this right by law); 
25  Pharmaceutical activity; 
26  Import, manufacture, sale, maintenance and/or  repair of medical devices and/or optics; 
27  Medical assistance by the private medical institutions 
28  Activities related to employment of citizens in the country and/or abroad; activities to engage/enroll 
students in the program of cultural and educational exchange, providing for temporary paid work during the 
summer vacation; 
29  Tourism activity; 
30  Grain warehousing activities with the issu ance of warehouse certificates for grain; 
31  Activity of the duty free shops, incl uding servicing of the diplomatic corps; 
32  Customs broker; 
33  Training activities in the field of road transport; 
34  Banking activities; 
35  Activity of foreign exchange entities (other than banks); 
36  Activity of providing payment services by paym ent companies, electronic money companies, postal 
service providers; 
37  Activity of issuing electronic money by electronic money companies; 
38  Activity of insurers (reinsurers), insurance and/or reinsurance brokers; 
39  Assets management activity of private pension funds; 
40  Activity of savings and loan associations; 
41  Professional activities in the securities market; 
42  Activity of credit history bureaus; 
43  Import and wholesale and/or retail of petrol, diesel and/or liquefied gas at filling stations; 
44  Production of electric energy; transmission of elec trical energy and/or central dispatch; distribution of 
electrical energy; supply of electricit y at regulated or non-regulated tariffs; 
45  Production and/or storage of natural gas; producti on of renewable fuels; transmission of natural gas; 
distribution and/or supply of natural ga s at regulated and non-regulated tariffs; 
46  Use of radio frequencies or radio channels and/or  numbering resources for the provision of networks 
and/or electronic communications services; 
47  Services for the creation, implementation and operation of automated information systems of national 
importance, including software; 
48  Activity for broadcasting progra ms through terrestrial radio teleco mmunications and/or by any other 
means than the terrestrial radio telecommunications. 
Source: Information provided by the Moldovan authorities.  WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 26 - 
 
  3  TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE 
3.1  Measures Directly Affecting Imports 3.1.1  Customs procedures and requirements 3.1.  The main legal instruments of the cu stoms regime include the Customs Code (Law 
No. 1149-XIV of 20 July 2000, as amended), and the Law on Customs Tariff (No. 1380-XII of 
20 November 1997, as amended). The Law Approving the Combined Nomenclature of Goods (No. 172 of 25 July 2014) merges all regulations in a sing le instrument. According to the authorities, a 
new Customs Code is being drafted, in line with  EU/Kyoto convention. Since 2010, the Customs 
Service is under the Ministry of Finance. 
3.2.  Customs declaration is to be lodged by the importer on the Single Administrative Document 
(SAD) form, and is required to be filed within 72 hours following importation into the Republic of 
Moldova's customs territory.
1 In addition to the SAD, introduced in 2005, Customs require invoice 
and transport documents, and for some goods other documents are required such as certificates of origin (section 3.1.3), and import licence/authorization (section 3.1.5).
2 Goods are released as 
soon as the customs declaration has been verified or accepted without verification.3 On 
1 March 2015, the electronic import declaration was launched. 
3.3.  Goods brought into, or exported from the cu stoms territory of the Republic of Moldova can be 
placed under various customs regimes: release of goods for free circulation; transit; customs 
warehousing; inward processing; processing under customs control; temporary admission; 
outward processing; exportation; free zone or free warehouse; and re-export from the customs territory. Customs has the authority to stop any goods from entering the Republic of Moldova if 
t h e y  d o  n o t  c o m p l y  w i t h  t h e  c o u n t r y ' s  S P S  a n d  T B T  r e g u l a t i o n s ,  o r  i f  t h e y  i n f r i n g e  I P R s  
(section 3.3.4).  
3.4.  Since 2006, the Republic of Moldova uses UNCTAD's Automated System for Customs Data 
(ASYCUDA World), a risk based inspection system to clear customs. Risk assessment is based on 
four channels: the red channel for high risk goods which need to be examined (17% of imports in 
2014); the yellow channel for medium risk goods, which require additional documentation, and on 
which a decision is made whether to release or examine the goods (30% of imports in 2014); the 
green channel, for goods deemed risk-free and re leased immediately without any checks (53% of 
imports in 2014); and the blue channel post-clearance control, in place as from early 2015. There are advance rulings mechanisms for classification (357 cases done up to March 2015), and origin 
(no requests so far). Pre-arrival processing is planned to be implemented in 2015 (it will need the 
development of additional modules in ASYCUDA World). 
3.5.  In 2014, Moldovan Customs introduced the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme 
to simplify customs procedures and facilitate legitimate trade.
4 Importers, exporters, 
manufacturers, warehouse operators, customs brok ers, and logistics operators are eligible to 
become AEOs. Some 71 AEOs exist already. So far, the Republic of Moldova does not have mutual 
recognition arrangements on AEO programmes. On 1 July 2015, a pilot project on EU AEOs 
recognition was launched.5 AEOs and traders with TIR-EPD carnets benefit from a separate fast 
                                               
1 Online information. Viewed at: http://www.cehia.mfa.md/img/docs//10_Customs.pdf . 
2 Customs Code No. 1149-XIV, 20 July 2000. 
3 When goods are brought in to the Customs territory  of the Republic of Moldova, including from the 
Free Zones and free Customs warehouses, the shipping agent must inform the Customs authorities of the 
crossing, at which point Customs authorities notify the time and place where the goods and the required documentation should be deliv ered for customs clearance. 
4 In 2005, the World Customs Organization adopted th e SAFE Framework of Standards which includes 
the AEO programme. AEOs must prove to have high qu ality internal processes that will prevent goods in 
international transport being tampered  with. This facilitates trade for low-risk operators and ensures Customs 
can focus inspection resources on more high-risk partie s. There are no territorial restrictions on where to 
declare the goods. There is legislation regula ting customs brokers; their use is optional. 
5 This pilot project is at the cross-border point Leuseni-Albita between the Republic of Moldova and 
Romania. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 27 - 
 
  lane at border crossings.6 Electronic payment of duties is currently under development in line with 
the "Strategy on E-government". 
3.6.  The Republic of Moldova ranks 152nd (out of 189 economies) in the World Bank's Trading 
Across-Borders 2015 Index; import procedures take 27 days and cost US$1,870 per container 
(compared with 35 days and US$1,740 per container in 2012).7  
3.7.  Fees for customs processing are charged as follows: for goods up to the equivalent of €100 
there are no fees; for goods valued between €10 1 and €1000 the fee is €4; and for goods above 
€1000 the fee is 0.4% of the customs value. 
3.8.  The Republic of Moldova has made its notification of Category A commitments under the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement.8  
3.1.2  Customs valuation 
3.9.  Customs value is primarily assessed based on  the transaction value which must also reflect 
costs incurred by the buyer when appropriate (e .g. packing fees, transport charges). If the 
transaction value method cannot be used, five methods apply in sequential order: (i) transaction 
value of identical goods; (ii) transaction value of similar goods; (iii) deductive value; 
(iv) computed value; and (v) residual valuation (flexible and reasonable method). The legislation also stipulates the list of documents that customs can request for the purposes of establishing 
customs value. Any request for additional document s must be justified by customs. According to 
the authorities, some 93% of declarations are valued using the transaction value. 
3.10.  Appeals against customs decisions can be submitted to the headquarters of the customs 
authority or directly to court. There is no obligation to first exhaust the administrative way. The 
bulk of appeals relate to customs valuation. The court is the same for decisions of public 
authorities (administrative court); there is no special commercial court. 
3.11.  The Republic of Moldova does not have laws or regulations relating to pre-shipment 
inspection. 
3.1.3  Rules of origin 3.12.  The Republic of Moldova has notified the WT O that it has non-preferential rules of origin 
under its Customs Code and Law on Customs Tariff.
9 
3.13.  The Republic of Moldova also has preferential rules of origin under its 14 RTAs in force 
(section 2.4.2).10 To benefit from preferential duties, certificates of origin need to be provided, 
issued by authorized institutions in the exporting country, so as to prove that the product being 
imported is basically "wholly obtained" or "substantially transformed" in the exporting country. For 
goods "not wholly obtained", specific criteria centred on change of tariff classification rules, processing rules, and value-added rules are applied on a product-by-product basis. According to 
the authorities, there are no additional docume nts required by Customs for conferring origin. 
                                               
6 TIR stands for Transports Internationaux Routiers  and EPD for Electronic Pr e-Declaration. TIR-EPD is 
an application which enables holders to submit free- of-charge electronic pre-declarations to customs 
authorities in different countries. With TIR-EPD, customs authorities are able to confirm that the pre-
declaration was submitted by an authorized TIR carnet hold er and that the TIR carnet is valid. This exchange of 
advance information facilitates pre-arrival risk analysis  and makes border crossings simpler, safer and faster. 
7 World Bank Group online information. Viewed at: 
http://doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/Moldova . 
8 WTO document WT/PCTF/N/MDA/1, 19 September 2014. 
9 WTO document G/RO/N/36, 12 March 2002. 
10 WTO documents G/RO/N/39, 22 April 2003; G/RO/N/41, 21 August 2003; G/RO/N/47, 6 July 2005; 
G/RO/N/53, 18 September 2007; G/RO/N/58, 13 August 2008; G/RO/N/106, 19 September 2013; G/RO/N/110, 14 February 2014; and G/RO/N/121, 14 October 2014. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 28 - 
 
  3.1.4  Tariffs  
3.1.4.1  MFN applied tariff 3.14.  Imports are subject to customs tariffs, VAT, and excise duties. According to information 
provided by the authorities, customs duties acco unted for 67.8% of total income tax on average 
per year during 2009-14, followed by VAT (20.5%), and excise duties (2.9%). 
3.15.  Mainly due to changes in tariff nomenclature, the tariff has 9,448 lines, up from 5,990 when 
the Republic of Moldova acceded to the WTO in 2001 but down from 9,842 in 2009.
11 Some 5,674 
lines have ad valorem  rates (60.1% of the total), 3,348 are duty free (35.4% of the total) and 426 
are non- ad valorem  (4.5% of the total) (Table 3.1). Ad valorem  tariffs are applied on the c.i.f. 
customs value. Specific duties are levied on 209 lines, including alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. Compound duties (i.e. a combination of ad valorem  and specific tariffs) are levied on 
183 lines (e.g. meat products, butter and dairy spreads). There are 34 lines subject to "other 
duties".
12 
Table 3.1 Tariff structure, 2001, 2009 and 2015 
(%, unless otherwise indicated) 
 MFN applied rate Final bounda 2001  2009  2015 
Bound tariff lines (% of all tariff lines) 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 
Simple average rate 4.9 5.3 6.3 7.7 
WTO agricultural products 12.6 12.1 13.5 14.4 
WTO non-agricultural products 3.8 3.6 4.4 5.9 
Duty free tariff lines (% of all tariff lines) 46.1 45,0 35.4 23.4 
Simple average rate of dutiable lines only 9.2 9.8 9.9 10.1 
Tariff quotas (% of all tariff lines) 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 
Non-ad valorem  tariffs (% of all tariff lines) 0.3 4.4 4.5 4.2 
Domestic tariff "peaks" (% of all tariff lines)b 15.4 3.0 4.7 0.7 
International tariff "peaks" (% of all tariff lines)c 0.3 3.0 4.8 5.5 
Overall standard deviation of tariff rates 11.8 7.2 7.1 6.8 
Nuisance applied rates (% of all tariff lines) 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 
Total number of tariff lines 5,990 9,842 9,448 9,448 
Ad valorem  rates 3,186 4,984 5,674 6,841 
Duty free 2,760 4,427 3,348 2,213 
Specific rates 19 224 209 211 
Compound rates 0 165 183 183 
Other duty rates 0 36 34 0 
Empty linesd 25 6 0 0 
a Final bound rates are based on the 2015 tariff schedule in HS12 nomenclature.  
b Domestic tariff peaks are defined as those exceed ing three times the overall average applied rate.  
c International tariff peaks are defined as those exceeding 15%. d No tariff rate provided. 
Source: WTO Secretariat calculations, based on da ta provided by the Moldovan authorities.  
3.16.  The Republic of Moldova's simple average MFN applied tariff increased from 4.9% in 2001 
(when it joined the WTO) to 5.3% in 2009 and 6.3% in 2015.13 Using the WTO definition14, MFN 
                                               
11 The 2001 tariff is based on HS96 nomenclature, the 2009 tariff is based on HS07, and the 2015 tariff 
is based on HS12. 
12 Other duties refer to: (i) goods of subheading 8707.10 (50% of the amount of excise duty, calculated 
for vehicles of the same type, but not less than the duties  calculated for a conventional diesel engine, capacity 
1,800 cc); (ii) for motor vehicles, subject to excise duty, of heading 8703 (10% of the amount of excise duty calculated for vehicles with the same engine capacity and operational period of 5 years); and (iii) other types 
of motor vehicle engines (15% of the customs value, except for the engines of subheadings 8407.90 and 8408.90 for pedestrian controlled tractors of heading 8432, for which tariff is 0%). 
13 The tariff is calculated taking into account the ad valorem  lines, the ad valorem  component of 
compound rates, as well as the ad valorem  equivalents (AVEs) of non- ad valorem  rates (i.e. specific lines, and 
the non- ad valorem  component of compound duties). The AVEs are calculated using average unit prices, i.e. as 
the ratio of specific duties to import unit values, esti mated by the ratio of import  quantities/vol umes for the 
latest available year: 2013 import data for the 2015 tariff (62 AVEs are included out of 209 specific rates); 
2009 import data for the 2009 tariff (88 AVEs are included out of 224 specific rates); and 2001 import data for 
the 2001 tariff (17 AVEs are included out of 19 specific rates). In case no AVE could be calculated, the ad valorem  part of the compound rate was included. The Moldovan authorities provided the import data. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 29 - 
 
  applied tariffs average 13.5% on agricultural prod ucts and 4.4% on non-agricultural goods in 2015 
(Table 3.1).15 Tariff rates range from zero to 25% without AVEs, while the highest rate including 
AVEs is 82.7% on certain beer (Table A3.1). The modal (most frequent) rate is zero (Chart 3.1). By HS Section, the highest tariff rates are levied on prepared food, followed by fats and oils, and 
footwear and headgear (Chart 3.2).  
Chart 3.1 Distribution of MFN appl ied tariff rates, 2001, 2009 and 2015 
(46.1) 
(29.0) 
(8.9)(15.2)
(0.3) (45.0)
(16.1)(21.1) 
(13.0)
(3.0)(35.4)
(16.9)(27.4)
(13.6)
(4.8)
05001,0001,5002,0002,5003,0003,5004,0004,5005,000
Duty free >0% ≤5% >5% ≤10% >10% ≤15% >15%Number of tariff linesMFN 2001
MFN 2009
MFN 2015
 
Note: Figures in parentheses denote the sh are of total lines including AVEs for non- ad valorem  rates, as 
available. In case of non-availability the ad valorem  part of compound rates is included. 
Source: WTO Secretariat calculations, based on da ta provided by the Moldovan authorities.  
                                                                                                                                               
14 WTO definition of agriculture: HS Chapters 01-24 less fish and fishery products (HS Chapter 3, 0508, 
0511.91, 1504.10, 1603-1605 and 2301.20) plus some selected products (HS 2905.43, 2905.44, 2905.45, 
3301, 3501-3505, 3809.10, 3823, 3824.60, 4101-4103, 4301, 5001-5003, 5105-5103, 5201-5203, 5301, and 
5302). 
15 The Republic of Moldova does not participate in the Information Technology Agreement (ITA). WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 30 - 
 
  Chart 3.2 Average applied MFN and bound tariff rates, by HS Section, 2001, 2009 and 
2015 
0,0%2,0%4,0%6,0%8,0%10,0%12,0%14,0%16,0%18,0%20,0%22,0%
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Total
01   Live animals & products        
02   Vegetable products03   Fats & oils      
04   Prepared food, etc.
05   Mineral products
06   Chemicals & products07   Plastic & rubber
08   Hides & skins09   Wood & articles
10   Pulp, paper, etc.
11   Textiles & articles
12   Footwear, headgear13   Articles of stones
14   Precious stones, etc.15   Base metals and products
16   Machinery
17   Transport equipment
18   Precision instruments19   Arms & ammunition
20   Miscellaneous manuf.21   Works of art, etc.MFN 2001 MFN 2009 Bound MFN 2015 
 
Note: Including AVEs for non- ad valorem  rates, as available. In case of non-availability the ad valorem  
part of compound rates is included.  
Source: WTO Secretariat calculations, based on da ta provided by the Moldovan authorities.  
3.17.  In aggregate, the applied MFN tariff displays mixed escalation (Table A3.1): negative from 
first-stage processed goods with an average tariff ra te of 6.3% to semi-finished products on which 
tariffs average 4.1%, and positive from the latter to finished goods (7.5%).  
3.18.  There are 28 MFN tariff rate quota (TRQs) lines under sugar (HS 1701 and 1702), i.e. 0.3% 
of total lines. The out-of-quota rate is 75% , and the corresponding in-quota rate is 10% 
(section 3.1.5). 
3.19.  The Republic of Moldova applies seasonal tariff to 14 lines (e.g. certain potatoes, tomatoes, 
cucumbers, grapes and other fruits). 
3.1.4.2  Bound tariff 3.20.  Upon its accession to the WTO, the Republic of Moldova bound all its tariff lines at a final 
simple average rate of 7.7%, against a simple  average applied MFN rate of 6.3% in 2015 
(Table 3.1). Some 4.2% of total bound lines are non- ad valorem . It bound its tariff lines on 
agricultural products (WTO definition), at a final simple average rate of 14.4% (compared with a simple average applied MFN rate of 13.5%); th e final simple average bound tariff rate for 
non-agricultural goods is 5.9% (simple average applied MFN rate of 4.4%).  
3.21.  For some 27 lines, MFN applied tariff ra tes exceed bound rates when using AVEs based on 
2013 import data (Table 3.2). WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 31 - 
 
  Table 3.2 Tariff lines where MFN applie d rates exceed bound rates, 2015 
HS code MFN duty Bound duty  Difference 
(%)a Non- ad 
valorem  rate AVE (%) Non- ad valorem  rate Maximum 
(%) 
020311100 20%+200 €/t 29.64 20% + 200 €/t; max 25% 25.0 4.64 
020319150 20%+200 €/t 26.35 20% + 200 €/t; max 25% 25.0 1.35 
020319590 20%+200 €/t 26.47 20% + 200 €/t; max 25% 25.0 1.47 
020319900 20%+200 €/t 25.86 20% + 200 €/t; max 25% 25.0 0.86 
020321100 20%+200 €/t 37.42 20% + 200 €/t; max 25% 25.0 12.42 
020322110 20%+200 €/t 32.53 20% + 200 €/t; max 25% 25.0 7.53 
020329110 10%+200 €/t 37.35 10% + 200 €/t; max 15% 15.0 22.35 
020329130 10%+200 €/t 18.70 10% + 200 €/t; max 15% 15.0 3.70 
020329150 10%+200 €/t 19.45 10% + 200 €/t; max 15% 15.0 4.45 
020329550 10%+200 €/t 20.51 10% + 200 €/t; max 15% 15.0 5.51 
020329590 10%+200 €/t 18.65 10% + 200 €/t; max 15% 15.0 3.65 
020712900 15%+100 €/t 23.06 15% + 100 €/t; max 20% 20.0 3.06 
020714100 15%+100 €/t 25.69 15% + 100 €/t; max 20% 20.0 5.69 
020714200 15%+100 €/t 25.77 15% + 100 €/t; max 20% 20.0 5.77 
020714300 15%+100 €/t 22.58 15% + 100 €/t; max 20% 20.0 2.58 
020714400 15%+100 €/t 33.25 15% + 100 €/t; max 20% 20.0 13.25 
020714500 15%+100 €/t 22.00 15% + 100 €/t; max 20% 20.0 2.00 
020714600 15%+100 €/t 22.74 15% + 100 €/t; max 20% 20.0 2.74 
020714700 15%+100 €/t 24.33 15% + 100 €/t; max 20% 20.0 4.33 
020714910 15%+100 €/t 26.90 15% + 100 €/t; max 20% 20.0 6.90 
020714990 15%+100 €/t 32.29 15% + 100 €/t; max 20% 20.0 12.29 
020727300 20%+100 €/t 32.35 20% + 100 €/t; max 25% 25.0 7.35 
020727400 20%+100 €/t 38.97 20% + 100 €/t; max 25% 25.0 13.97 
020727800 20%+100 €/t 28.48 20% + 100 €/t; max 25% 25.0 3.48 
020727910 20%+100 €/t 35.52 20% + 100 €/t; max 25% 25.0 10.52 
040510110 15%+500 €/t 28.73 15% + 500 €/t; max 25% 25.0 3.73 
040510190 15%+500 €/t 30.57 15% + 500 €/t; max 25% 25.0 5.57 
a Difference in percentage points betw een applied MFN and bound duty rates. 
Note: Calculations of ad valorem  equivalents (AVEs) are based on 2013 import data. 
Source: WTO calculations, based on data pr ovided by the Moldovan authorities.  
3.1.4.3  Preferential tariff 
3.22.  The Republic of Moldova has preferential  trading agreements with 45 partners: Albania, 
Armenia; Azerbaijan, Republic of; Belarus; Bosnia and Herzegovina; the EU-28; Georgia; 
Kazakhstan; UNMIK/Kosovo; Kyrgyz Republic; FYR of Macedonia; Montenegro; the Russian Federation; Serbia; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; Ukraine; and Uzbekistan. In 2014, trade under 
these preferential agreements represented 76.2% of  the Republic of Moldova's total imports, and 
85.9% of total exports (section 2.4.2). 
3.23.  According to the authorities, with the exce ption of the free trade agreement with the EU for 
which there is an average preferential rate of 0. 8% on all products (2.7% for agriculture and 0.3% 
for non-agricultural goods), for the rest of the Republic of Moldova's RTAs in force duty free 
treatment is provided. 
3.24.  The Republic of Moldova does not grant au tonomous preferences, but goods originating in 
the Republic of Moldova benefit from the Generaliz ed System of Preferences (GSP) of Canada, the 
EU, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United States (section 2.4.3). 
3.1.4.4  Other duties and charges 
3.25.  In addition to customs tariffs, certain products (imported or domestically-produced) are 
subject to VAT and excise duties.  WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 32 - 
 
  3.26.  VAT, regulated by Articles 96 and 104 of Title III of the Tax Code, is levied at three rates: 
2 0 %  ( t h e  s t a n d a r d  r a t e ) ,  8 %  o n  c e r t a i n  t y p e s  o f  supplies (e.g. certain agricultural (plant and 
animal) products, bread, bakery products, milk, certain pharmaceutical products, sugar, and supply/import of natural and liquefied gas), and 0%  for export of goods and services, international 
transportation, utilities provided to population, im port and/or delivery of goods from grants, goods 
and services imported to/exported from Free Econ omic Zones, goods and services for the use of 
diplomatic missions in the Republic of Moldova,  and goods delivered in duty-free shops. In 
addition, certain supplies, such as financial services, passenger transportation services are 
exempted from VAT. 
3.27.  Excise duties, regulated by Title IV of the Tax Code, are mostly non- ad valorem  (Table 3.3). 
Excise duties on cigarettes, fuel and alcohol will  be progressively raised to reach the EU minimum 
threshold by 2025. 
Table 3.3 Excise duties, 2010-15 
HS Product Unit Excise rate  
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 
Up to 
01.05.2015 After 
01.05.2015 
160430 Caviar and 
caviar 
substitutes value in 
MDL 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25%  
220300 Malt Beer Litre MDL 1.85  MDL 1.85  MDL 
1.85  MDL 
1.94  MDL 
2.02  MDL 2.02 MDL 2.15  
2205 Vermouths and 
other wines value in 
MDL 10%, but 
not less than 1.69 
MDL/litre 10%, but 
not less than 1.69 
MDL/litre MDL 
15 + 15% MDL 
10  MDL 
10.50  MDL 10.50 MDL 11.17
 
220600 Fermented 
beverages value in 
MDL 10%, but  
not less 
than 0.17 
MDL/litre 10%, but 
not less 
than 0.17 
MDL/litre MDL 
15 + 
15% MDL 
10  MDL 
10.50  MDL 10.50 MDL 11.17  
2207 Denatured 
ethyl alcohol litre of 
absolute 
alcohol 0.09 
MDL/% 
vol/litre 0.09 
MDL/% 
vol/litre MDL 
15 + 
15% MDL 
70  MDL 70  MDL 70 MD L 70 
2208 Denatured 
ethyl alcohol:         
 with an 
alcoholic 
concentration 
of up to 9% 
volume litre of 
absolute 
alcohol 12%, but 
not less 
than 0.14 
MDL/% 
vol/litre of 
absolute 
alcohol 12%, but 
not less 
than 0.14 
MDL/% 
vol/litre of 
absolute 
alcohol MDL 
30 + 
30% MDL 
70 MDL 73  MDL 73 MDL 77.67  
 with an 
alcoholic 
concentration 
of 9% to 25% 
volume litre of 
absolute 
alcohol 30%, but 
not less 
than 0.12 
MDL/% 
vol/litre of 
absolute 
alcohol 30%, but 
not less 
than 0.12 
MDL/% 
vol/litre of 
absolute 
alcohol MDL 
30 + 
30% MDL 
70 MDL 73  MDL 73 MDL 77.67  
 with an 
alcoholic 
concentration 
exceeding 
25% volume litre of 
absolute 
alcohol 50%, but 
not less 
than 0.45 
MDL/% 
vol/litre of 
absolute 
alcohol 75%, but 
not less 
than 0.67 
MDL/% 
vol/litre of 
absolute 
alcohol MDL 
30 + 
30% MDL 
70 MDL 73  MDL 73 MDL 77.67  
240210000 Cigars value in 
MDL 25% 25% 40% 40% 40% 40% 40%  
240220 Cigarettes with 
filter 1.000 
pieces MDL 6.60 
+ 12% MDL 10.00 
+ 18% MDL 
20 + 
24% MDL 
30 + 
30% MDL 75 
+ 24% MDL 75 
+ 24% MDL 200  
+ 18% 
 Cigarettes 
without filter 1.000 
pieces MDL 7.00  MDL 10.50  MDL 
20  MDL 
30  MDL 50  MDL 50 MDL 50  
240290 000 Other cigars, 
cigarillos value in 
MDL 10.80 MDL  10.80 MDL  40% 40% 40% 40% 40%  
2403 Other tobacco Kg 0 0 0 MDL 
100.00  MDL 
104.30  MDL 104.30 MDL 110.98  
271011110-
271019290 Light and 
medium 
(distilled) Oils  Tonnes MDL 2.700  MDL 2.700  MDL 
2.885  MDL 3.200  MDL 
3.500  MDL 3.500 MDL 3.714
 
271019310-
271019490 Diesel, 
including fuel 
and diesel fuel 
for furnaces Tonnes MDL 1.125  MDL 1.125  MDL 
1.200  MDL 
1.330 MDL 
1.455  MDL 1.455 MDL 1.544  WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 33 - 
 
  HS Product Unit Excise rate  
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 
Up to 
01.05.2015 After 
01.05.2015 
271112, 
271113, 
271114000, 
271119000 Liquefied 
Petroleum Gas Tonnes MDL 1.125  MDL 1.125  MDL 
1.800  MDL 1.995  MDL 
2.180  MDL 2.180 MDL 2.313
 
271019510, 
271019610, 
271019630, 
271019650, 
271019690 Heavy fuel oil Tonnes MDL 1.125  MDL 1.125  MDL 
1.200  MDL 
1.330  MDL 
1.455  MDL 1.455 MDL 3.48  
280430000 Azot Tonnes 0  0 €100 €105 €109,50  €109,50 €116,51  
280440000 Oxygen Tonnes 0 0 €110 €116 €121 €121 €128,74  
330300 Perfumes and 
eau de toilette Value in 
MDL 30% 30% 30% 30% 30% 30% 30%  
711311000 Jewelry articles  
of silver Gram 30% MDL 2.00  MDL 
2.00  MDL 
2.10  MDL 
2.20  MDL 2.20 MDL 2.34  
711319000, 
711320000 Jewelry articles  
of precious 
metals Gram MDL 30  MDL 30  MDL 
30  MDL 
32  MDL 
33.40  MDL 33.40 MDL 35.54  
8519 Sound 
recorders, 
sound 
reproducing 
equipment, 
sound 
recording and 
reproducing 
equipment Value in 
MDL 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 
852110, 
852190000, 
8527 Other videos 
recorders and 
reproducers Value in 
€ €11,80  
15% €11,80  
15% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5%  
Source: Information provided by the Moldovan authorities.  
3.28.  The Republic of Moldova applies an import surcharge on certain motor vehicles; the 
surcharge rate ranges between 10% and 50% of th e relevant excise tax amount, calculated as a 
function of engine capacity and age (section 4.2). 
3.29.  The Republic of Moldova bound at zero other duties and charges within the meaning of 
Article II:1(b) of the GATT 1994 in its Schedule of Concessions on Goods which is reproduced in 
Part I of the Annex to the Protocol of Accession.16 
3.1.5  Import prohibitions, restrictions, licensing, and quotas 3.30.  The importation of some products (e.g. certain animals, plants, narcotics, arms, asbestos 
and ozone depleting substances) are prohibited for various reasons, such as health, environment, 
public security and order, cultural heritage or the fulfilment of international obligations, e.g. under 
the Convention on International Trade in Endang ered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). 
According to the authorities, temporary import prohibitions are also in line with the latest updates 
on hazardous diseases from the World Organizati on of Animal Health (OIE) and based on EU 
legislation for certain diseases. 
3.31.  The import of the products listed in Tabl e 3.4 is subject to licence/permission issued by 
various authorities, notably the Licensing Chamber (under the Ministry of Economy). An applicant for an import authorization may submit an online application at any time. No quantitative restrictions are stipulated in the authorizations. The decision to issue or refuse a licence is made 
within five working days from the date of the presentation of all the necessary documents and 
respectively within ten working days to issue or refuse permission. 
3.32.  The validity of the authorization varies from  6 months to 1 year, according to the type of 
authorization required; importers must possess the li cence prior to the goods' arrival. The validity 
of the authorization can be extended, but not afte r the term of validity of the business activity 
which refers to this authorization. The reasons for refusal must be provided in writing to the 
applicant. Refusal may only happen if there was incomplete information in the application; 
according to the authorities, the refusal rate is under 0.5% of all applications. 
                                               
16 WTO document WT/ACC/MOL/37, 11 January 2001. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 34 - 
 
  Table 3.4 Import licensing procedures, 2015 
Product Agency 
responsible Domestic legislation 
Ethyl alcohol, alcoholic products 
and/or beer Licensing 
Chamber Law No. 451-XV of 30 July 2001 on Business Activity 
Licensing; and Law No. 160 of 22 July 2011 on regulating the authorization of entrepreneurial activity 
Tobacco products and fermented 
tobacco Licensing 
Chamber Law No. 451-XV of 30 July 2001 on Business Activity 
Licensing; and Law No. 160 of 22 July 2011 on 
regulating the authorization of entrepreneurial activity 
Fertilizer products Ministry of 
Agriculture 
and Food 
Industry Law No. 221 of 19 October 2007 on sanitary-veterinary 
activity; Law No. 228 of 23 September 2010 on plant 
protection and plant quarantine; and Law No. 119 of 22 June 2004 on fertilizers 
Toxic chemical substances and 
materials Licensing 
Chamber Law No. 451-XV of 30 July 2001 on Business Activity 
Licensing; and Law No. 160 of 22 July 2011 on 
regulating the authorization of entrepreneurial activity 
Civil arms and ammu nition Licensing 
Chamber  Law No. 451-XV of 30 July 2001 on Business Activity 
Licensing; and Law No. 160 of 22 July 2011 on regulating the authorization of entrepreneurial activity 
Explosives for civil uses Licensing 
Chamber Law No. 451-XV of 30 July 2001 on Business Activity 
Licensing 
Pyrotechnic articles Licensing 
Chamber Law No. 451-XV of 30 July 2001 on Business Activity 
Licensing; and Law No. 160 of 22 July 2011 on regulating the authorization of entrepreneurial activity 
Cryptographic methods and 
technical protection of 
information, special technical 
methods for obtaining secret 
information Licensing 
Chamber Law No. 451-XV of 30 July 2001 on Business Activity 
Licensing; and Law No. 160 of 22 July 2011 on 
regulating the authorization of entrepreneurial activity 
Gasoline, diesel oil and/or liquefied petroleum gas National 
Energy 
Regulatory 
Agency Law No. 451-XV of 30 July 2001 on Business Activity 
Licensing; Law No. 160 of 22 July 2011 on regulating the authorization of entrepreneurial activity; and Law 
No. 461-XV of 30 July 2001 on petroleum products 
market 
Strategic goods Ministry of 
Economy Law No. 1163-XIV of 26 July 2000 on export control, re-
export, import and tran sit of strategic goods 
Goods subject to sanitary 
veterinary control Ministry of 
Agriculture 
and Food 
Industry Law No. 119 of 22 June 2004 on phytosanitary and 
fertilizer products; and Law No. 221 of 19 October 2007 regarding sanitary-veterinary activity 
Medicinal products Medicines 
Agency Law No. 1409-XIII of 17 December 1997 on medicinal 
products 
Narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors Standing 
Committee 
on Drug 
Control Law No. 382-XIV of 6 May 1999 on circulation of 
narcotic drugs, psychotropic  substances and precursors 
Halogenated hydrocarbons that 
deplete the ozone layer Ministry of 
Environment Law No. 852-XV of 14 February 2002 for approving the 
Regulation on trade regime and regulating the use of 
halogenated hydrocarbons that are depleting the ozone 
layer 
Source: WTO document G/LIC/3/MDA/2, 23 September 2013.  
3.33.  The Republic of Moldova applies MFN import  TRQs on sugar, 10% in-quota and 75% out of 
quota rates, to 28 HS lines as follows: (i) 1,000 tonnes on HS 1701; (ii) 5,500 tonnes on HS 170191 and HS 170199; and (iii) 1,840 tonnes on HS 1702. 
3.1.6  Contingency trade measures 
3.34.  Contingency trade measures are regula ted under the Law on Anti-Dumping Measures, 
Countervailing Duties and Safeguards, No. 820 - XIV of 17 February 2000.
17 The competent 
authority for initiating anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard investigations is the 
Investigation Body (previously known as Inve stigation Authority), under the Ministry of 
                                               
17 WTO documents G/ADP/N/1/MDA/1, G/SCM/N/ 1/MDA/1, G/SG/N/1/MDA/1, 12 February 2002. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 35 - 
 
  Economy.18 The decision on initiating an investigation procedure is published in the 
Monitorul Oficial, the Official Gazette . 
3.35.  The Republic of Moldova may impose anti-d umping duty on a product imported at less than 
its normal value and if it has been determined during the investigation procedure that it causes or 
threatens to cause material injury to domestic production. A countervailing duty may be imposed 
to counter the impact of subsidized imports that cause or threaten to cause injury. A proposal for initiating an investigation on anti-dumping or countervailing measures may be submitted by any 
natural or legal person, or trade-company or economic association acting on behalf of domestic 
production. 
3.36.  The Investigation Body may impose a provisional duty where the preliminary investigation 
shows that dumping or a subsidy exists and that there is sufficient evidence of injury. Provisional 
anti-dumping or countervailing duties have a maximum validity of four months; however, under 
special circumstances, the period may be extended to six or nine months, respectively. A definitive 
anti-dumping or countervailing duty will expire, at least, five years from its imposition or from the 
date of its most recent verification, if such verification procedure covers dumping or subsidization 
and injury. The verification procedure must be concluded within 12 months and, at the latest, within 15 months from the date of its initiation. 
3.37.  A safeguard measure may be imposed if particular goods are imported in increased 
quantities, and if such imports cause or threaten to cause injury to domestic production of like goods.
19 A proposal for initiating a safeguard investigation may be submitted by any natural or 
legal person, or economic association acting on behalf of domestic production. Interested parties 
have the right to be heard during the investigation. The measure may be applied for four years, 
extendable to eight years in total. A provisional duty may be imposed for a period not exceeding 200 days, in exceptional circumstances, if the Inve stigation Body determines that there is clear 
evidence that the increased imports have caused or are threatening to cause serious injury to 
domestic production. 
3.38.  Since its accession to the WTO in 2001, the Republic of Moldova has neither imposed nor 
initiated any anti-dumping or countervailing measures.  
3.39.  The Republic of Moldova has so far initiated two safeguard investigations. On 10 June 2003, 
regarding imports of sugar
20, and on 18 June 2003 with respect to imports of cosmetic and 
perfumery products.21 On imports of sugar, a definitive safeguard measure was introduced in 2004 
which expired on 31 December 2012.22 A provisional measure for 200 days was imposed on 
imports of cosmetic and perfumery products but was later suspended due to lack of clear evidence. 
3.1.7  Standards and other technical requirements 
3.40.  The Ministry of Economy is the WTO TB T enquiry point. The National Institute of 
Standardization is responsible for the implementa tion and administration of Annex 3 of the TBT 
Agreement (Code of Good Practice) for the preparat ion, adoption and application of standards. In 
2013, the Republic of Moldova notified the WTO of its acceptance of the Code of Good Practice.23 
The Republic of Moldova has submitted 24 notifications to the TBT Committee (up to 
March 2015).24 No specific trade concern has been raised in the Committee regarding the Republic 
of Moldova. 
3.41.  The Ministry of Economy is responsible for the development of policy in the field of 
standardization, metrology, accreditation and conformity assessment, and for overseeing the 
                                               
18 Half of the members in the Investigating Authorit y are selected from among th e staff of the Ministry 
of Economy, and the other half from representatives of other central pu blic administration authorities. 
19 Safeguard measures may be applie d only when the investigation proves a causal relation between the 
increased import and the injury or thre at of injury to domestic production. 
20 WTO document G/SG/N/6/MDA/1, 30 September 2003. 
21 WTO document G/SG/N/6/MDA/2, 13 July 2004. 
22 Law No. 8-XV of 5 February 2004. 
23 WTO document G/TBT/CS/N/182, 23 August 2013. 
24 WTO document seri es G/TBT/N/MDA. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 36 - 
 
  following public institutions25: National Institute of Standardization (NIS), National Institute of 
Metrology (NIM), National Centre of Accreditat ion (MOLDAC), and Consumer Protection Agency 
(CPA). State funding for the development of policy in the field of standardization, metrology and 
accreditation is described in Table 3.5. 
Table 3.5 State-funding for standardizatio n, metrology and accreditation, 2010-15 
('000 US$) 
 2010 2011  2012  2013  2014 2015  
Standardization 210 250 375 375 380 380 
Metrology 0 0 0 570 570 570 
Accreditation 0 0 0 155 155 155 
Total 210 250 375 1,100  1,005 1,005  
Source: Information provided by the Moldovan authorities.  
3.42.  Moldova's legal framework includes, inter alia , the Law on Standardization (No. 590-XIII of 
22 September 1995)26, the Law on Metrology (No. 647 of 17 November 1995), the Law on 
Technical Regulation (No. 420-XIV of 22 December 2007), the Law on Accreditation and 
Conformity Assessment (No. 235 of 1 December 2011)27; and the Law on Consumer Protection 
(No. 105-XV of 13 March 2003).28  
3.43.  According to the authorities, technical regulations are developed when the harmonization of 
the national legislation with the EU’s and international legislation are being enforced, when the 
content of the technical regulation in effect does not conform with the corresponding European/international tandards, or if there exists a problem that can only be solved through a 
technical regulation. Standards are developed by  various National Technical Standardization 
Committees created by representatives of interested parties. Under Government Decision No. 31 of 23 January 2009, any relevant Minister can issue a technical regulation. New technical 
regulations or substantial amendments to existing ones must be issued by Governmental decision, 
and are published in the Monitorul Oficial . Regarding the elaboration of new technical regulations 
or amendments to existing ones, interested part ies are informed not later than two weeks after 
the day of elaboration.
29 Except for cases of emergency, a 60 days period is provided for 
submission of written comments by WTO Members on draft standards, technical regulations and 
conformity assessment procedures. 
3.44.  Market surveillance for te chnical regulations and standards is the responsibility of the CPA. 
A new law on monitoring the market is being pr epared to develop a mechanism for cooperation 
between Customs and CPA. It is expected to be in force by the end of 2016.30 
3.45.  Regulations for industrial products are based on the EU's "New and Global Approach" 
(setting-up of essential requirements define d to meet health, safety, and environmental 
objectives). The technical characteristics of the products are given in the standards (voluntary) drafted by the stakeholders following the pr ocedures of the European standardization 
organizations. Technical regulations are applied to products for which safety is an issue, such as 
construction products, medical devices, and certai n electrical equipment, toys, machinery, lifts, 
household appliances, etc. These products are subject to testing, certification or prior approval procedures. 
                                               
25 Government Decision No. 996 of 27 December 2012 and Government Decision No. 77 of 
25 January 2013. 
26 The Law on Standardization No. 590-XIII date d September 22, 1995 was duly republished on 
25 May 2012 in Monitorul Oficial No. 99-102 art. 328. Its main objectives, inter alia , are to ensure that the 
technical regulation and regulatory specifications of  products, processes and services comply with their 
intended use. 
27 The Law on Accreditation and Conformity Assessment  aims to ensure national security, avoid frauds, 
preserve the environment through the conformity assessm ent of products, equipment, processes, technologies, 
production systems and pote ntially dangerous works, software, qualit y systems and services, as well as the 
supervision of products on the market an d/or used in the Republic of Moldova. 
28 The Law on Consumer Protection aims to protect the rights of every consumer against the risk of 
purchasing a product that could affect he alth, life or security or to prejudic e his legitimate rights and interests. 
29 WTO document G/TBT/2/Add.68/Suppl.1, 10 October 2006. 
30 Currently the CPA is operating on the basis of prov isions for market monitoring contained in the laws 
on consumer protection and on technical regulations. The new law is intended to consolidate these two provisions. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 37 - 
 
  3.46.  National standards are being harmonized wi th international/European standards. At the end 
of April 2014, Moldova had 24,915 national standa rds, 34.1% of which were EU standards and 
10.2% were international ISO/IEC standards. The Republic of Moldova aims to reach 80% of EU standards portfolio by 2017, through the adoption  of international/EU standards only. Some 95% 
of harmonized EU standards have already been ad opted as national standards in the Republic of 
Moldova. At the same time, NIS is abolishing incompatible standards, including GOST Soviet/Russian incompatible standards. 
3.47.  MOLDAC is responsible for, inter alia , accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories, 
medical laboratories, certification and inspection bodies, as well as accreditation of certification bodies for Quality Management Systems. MOLDAC has granted 137 accreditation certificates; it carries out surveillance on accredited bodies annually. MOLDAC has signed cooperation 
agreements with the accreditation bodies of Bela rus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, 
Czech Republic, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzst an, FYR of Macedonia, Poland, Romania, the 
Russian Federation, Slovak ia, Ukraine, and Turkey. 
3.48.  CPA and the State Inspectorate on Technical Surveillance of Dangerous Industrial Objects 
(SITSDIO) are in charge of supervising the conformi ty and safety of products placed on the market 
or used in, inter alia ,: machinery, electrical equipment, energy efficiency of household appliances, 
refrigerators, freezers, lifts, pressure equipment hot water boilers, construction products, 
metrology, personal protective equipment, crystal glass, textiles, and general safety of products, furniture, wood, and oil fuels. There are currently 99 accredited testing and calibration laboratories 
(ISO/IEC 17025); two medical laboratories (ISO/IEC 15169); 10 metrological laboratories 
(ISO/IEC 17020); 18 accredited inspection bodies of products (ISO/IEC 17065 and EN 45011); 
3 certification and quality management and food safety systems (ISO/IEC 17021), and 3 ecological 
productions inspection bodies (ISO/IEC 17020). Ma rket surveillance is carried out by inspectors 
from CPA and SITSDIO. 
3.49.  Before placing a product on the market, importers shall ensure that the manufacturer has 
met the appropriate conformity assessment procedur e set up by a Moldovan accredited body. An 
amendment is being prepared to the Law on Accr editation and Conformity Assessment Activities 
No. 235 of 1 December 2011, for excluding such obligation. 
3.50.  The Republic of Moldova is a correspondent member of the International Organization of 
Standardization (ISO) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML); an associate 
member of the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC), the European Committee for 
Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC), the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA), and the Metre Convention; an affiliated member of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), 
and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC); full member of the Euro-Asian 
Cooperation of National Metrological Institutions (COOMET); and an observer to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). 
3.51.  The mutual recognition agreements of the certificates specify that these agreements are 
applicable only for the products manufactured within these countries. The importer places on the market only products compliant with the essential requirements based on a declaration of conformity. The declaration of conformity is issued on the importer’s own responsibility on the 
basis of the manufacturer's technical documentation translated into Moldovan/Russian and 
legalized. The Republic of Moldova has signed bilateral agreements on the recognition of conformity certificates with several countries, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the 
Russian Federation, and Ukraine. In addition, the Re public of Moldova recognizes certificates from 
EU member states.
31 
3.1.8  Labelling and packaging requirements 
3.52.  The Law on Consumer Protection (No. 105-XV of 13 March 2003) prescribes that product 
information must contain all relevant information needed to help the consumer make an informed decision when buying products. These data must be presented clearly, visibly, and legibly and 
                                               
31 Under Law No. 235 of 1 December 2011, the Republic of Moldova recognizes certificates of conformity 
or test reports issued by signatories of Multilateral Recognition Agreement with th e European Cooperation for 
Accreditation. The certificates of conf ormity and/or test report s should be issued for pr oducts imported from EU 
member states, translated into Moldovan or Russian and confirmed by the importer stamp specimen. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 38 - 
 
  written in Moldovan (Romanian) or Russian languages; other languages and characters easily 
comprehensible to consumers are not excluded. 
3.53.  Requirements for labelling, presentation, and advertising of food and nutritional labelling of 
food are set out in Government Decisions that ar e compulsory. The National Food Safety Agency 
(NFSA) is responsible for drafting and interpreting such Decisions as well as for the majority of 
regulations on food quality for specific categories.   
3.54.  The Republic of Moldova has a mutual reco gnition agreement with the EU (section 3.1.7). 
Manufacturers or their authorized representatives registered in the Republic of Moldova or any 
natural or legal person who places a product on the market or puts one into service, must affix the conformity marking and guarantee that the produc t has been designed, constructed and tested in 
the prescribed manner, that it complies with all applicable technical requirements, and that it has a 
written declaration of conformity, a test report or a certificate of conformity. 
3.1.9  Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 3.55.  NFSA is responsible for the regulation and control of food safety and sanitary-veterinary 
activities, animal husbandry, plant protection  and phytosanitary quarantine, seed, primary 
products, food and feed quality control.
32 I t  a l s o  i s  i n  c h a r g e  o f  e n s u r i n g  c o m p l i a n c e  o f  t h e  
domestic legislation with the WTO SPS Agreement. Currently, the veterinary arm of NFSA also 
does risk analyses, but in the future all risk analysis will be consolidated in a separate branch. 
3.56.  The domestic legal framework on SPS includes, inter alia , Law No. 113 of 18 May 2012 
establishing the general principles and requirements of food safety; Law No. 221 of 19 October 2007 on sanitary-veterinary activity
33; Law No. 228 of 23 September 2010 on plant 
protection and plant quarantine; and the Regulation  regarding the organization and functioning of 
NFSA (Government Decision No. 51 of 16 January 2013).  
3.57.  Veterinary and sanitary inspection requirements are identical for domestic products and 
imports. Imports subject to such requirements ma y enter if they are from approved third-country 
establishments inscribed on a list established by the EU. The Republic of Moldova is in the process of transposing the EU legislation on food safety into national legislation. Veterinary regulations on 
food safety are being harmonized with the consol idated directives, regulations and decisions of 
the EU. As from 16 June 2014, veterinary certificat es required by EU legislation for imports from 
third countries, issued by the EU for exports to the Republic of Moldova, are also accepted by NFSA. 
3.58.  Government Decision No. 1073 of 19 September 2008 sets out the products that must have 
a veterinary or phytosanitary certificate on importation. The list is available in the annexes to this Decision (available in Moldovan and Russian only). 
3.59.  Under Article 31 of Law No. 221, imported animals are subject to prophylactic quarantine 
for a period not exceeding 30 days. This must be done in isolated, specially designated places, authorized by the food safety territorial subdivisi ons, enabling the introduction of animals in these 
places only after verifying whether the specific sanitary veterinary requirements were met.  
3.60.  Under Article 32 of Law No. 221, if during customs clearance, the official veterinarian 
detects communicable diseases in animals or there is a suspicion thereof, or other hazard that could endanger animal health, veterinary public health, animal welfare, environmental protection 
and safety of products of animal origin, the entire consignment of goods subject to state sanitary 
veterinary control is returned to the country of origin. If this is not possible, NFSA together with Customs, may order the destruction of the consig nment, forced slaughter of animals and further 
processing or immediate treatment thereof, as well as of the related objects and materials.
34 
                                               
32 Government Decision No. 51 of 16 January 2013. 
33 This law lays down the main sanitary-veterinary rules and requirements, rights and obligations of the 
authorities and of the individuals and legal entities for produc tion, processing, storage, transport and trade of 
live animals and animal origin products. 
34 In this case, NFSA shall notify the measures deploy ed to the central sanitary veterinary authority of 
the exporting country. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 39 - 
 
  3.61.  Legislation on border control checks is also largely harmonized with the EU. Physical checks 
are carried out randomly. The Republic of Moldova is planning to separate physical controls into border controls and destination controls, but the infrastructure is not yet in place. Problems with recognition of foreign certificates arise mainly with third countries whose services do not comply 
with the EU's veterinary certificate; for phytosanitary certificates there is no problem as the 
certificate is international.
35  
3.62.  Domestic legislation on plant health is largely harmonized with the EU. According to the 
authorities, all plant health activities are in conformity with international standards. At least two 
inspectors are present in every administrative region.36 There are 10 territorial divisions (regions) 
that have been provided with necessary equipment for phytosanitary analysis. Inspectors are being trained to apply international standards for plant health control and the aim is to accredit 
them soon. 
3.63.  Currently, there are 11 control posts at the border and 7 internal for SPS checks.
37 For 
phytosanitary checks there is no cost, while for veterinary controls the importer has to pay 
MDL 400. With a loan from the World Bank, the Repu blic of Moldova is in the process of upgrading 
its SPS-related infrastructure at key points of entry to equip them with laboratories and fridges to carry out tests of imports. The World Bank plans to support the creation of a risk analysis database 
and a consolidated risk analysis unit. So far, ther e is no risk database and records of inspections 
are kept in hard copies.
38 A system of green and red lanes, similar to Customs is planned for SPS 
controls and to be integrated with ASYCUDA World. There is also a pilot project for integration with ASYCUDA World to ensure inter-agency cooperat ion on risk management and controls with 
customs. 
3.64.  The Republic of Moldova currently bans the following imports on SPS grounds: (a) live 
biongulate animals from countries with bluetongue reports on OIE (Romania, FYR of Macedonia, 
Bulgaria); and (b) live birds from countries with High Pathogenic Avian Influenza reports on OIE 
(Bulgaria, Romania).  
3.65.  Government Decision No. 594 of 2 August 2011 establishes special requirements for the 
introduction and movement of plants, plant prod ucts and other objects on the territory of the 
Republic of Moldova.
39 Normally, when a partner country's animal health situation deteriorates, an 
import ban is imposed and the respective country's veterinary services are informed. The ban is lifted upon receipt of report from  that country's veterinary service that the threat is under control. 
3.66.  WTO Members have not raised specific concerns in the SPS Committee regarding the 
Republic of Moldova. It has submitted three no tifications to the SPS Committee (up to March 
2015).
40 
3.67.  The Republic of Moldova is a member of  the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the World 
Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
41 It is also member of the European and Mediterranean Plant 
Protection Organization (EPPO). 
                                               
35 Government Decision No. 1099 of 29 September 2008 regarding sanitary-veterinary regulates 
imports of animals, while Government Decision No. 1408 of 10 December 2008 regulates certain sanitary-veterinary norms. 
36 The Republic of Moldova's SPS legislation is avai lable in the CEFTA database . A centre of expertise 
created in 2009 and accredited in 2014, is the coordinating  institution with which all regional inspectors work 
and also cooperates with laboratories. 
37 The list of border points for sanitary-veterinary an d phytosanitary controls is  provided in Government 
Decision No. 51 of 16 January 2013 on the organization and operation of the NFSA. 
38 Currently, there is double-inspection: an NFSA ag ent does a documentary check at the border and a 
physical check is done either at the border or in the interior of the Republic of Moldova, depending on the 
border post's capacity constraints. 
39 The list is available on NFSA's website (in Moldovan only). Viewed at: http://www.ansa.gov.md . 
40 WTO document seri es G/TSPSN/MDA. 
41 WTO document G/SPS/GEN/49/Rev.12, 20 January 2015. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 40 - 
 
  3.1.10  Government procurement 
3.1.10.1  Overview 3.68.  Government procurement in the Republic of  Moldova has continued to expand over the last 
few years. For example, total government contracts increased from MDL 4,523 million in 2009 to 
MDL 10,839 million in 2014 (Table A3.2)
42.  
3.69.  The Republic of Moldova has become increasingly aware of the potential for economic loss 
caused by inadequate public procurement proces ses. It has shown its commitment to opening its 
procurement markets to international competition and is currently in the final stages of acceding to 
the revised WTO Agreement on Government Procurem ent (GPA). The Republic of Moldova is also 
aligning its public procurement system with international best practices, including relevant EU D i r e c t i v e s  a s  a  r e s u l t  o f  t h e  D C F T A .  I n  t h a t  context, it adopted a revised Law on Public 
Procurement on 3 July 2015, not yet in force
43, which was circulated to the WTO Committee on 
Government Procurement on 27 July 2015.44  
3.70.  Overall, the legal reforms undertaken by th e Republic of Moldova aim at providing increased 
transparency, oversight of procedures, optimised participation requirements and complaints 
management.45 They also respond to some shortcomings that, in the past, had been identified by 
cooperation partners, such as the EBRD.46 Now that the revised legislation has been adopted, a 
remaining focus of current reform efforts is th e establishment of a domestic review body for 
supplier complaints.  
3.71.  In the course of its WTO accession, the Republic of Moldova undertook to initiate 
negotiations to join the GPA.47 I t  b e c a m e  a n  o b s e r v e r  t o  t h e  G P A  o n  2 9  S e p t e m b e r  2 0 0 0  a n d  
subsequently applied for accession to the GPA on 7 January 2002.48 Since 2014, the Republic of 
Moldova significantly accelerated its GPA accession negotiation by gradually expanding its market access offer, and fully engaging in legal reforms to bring its legislation in line with the GPA rules, 
and eventually circulated its final offer on 30 Janua ry 2015. On this basis, a Draft Decision of the 
Committee on the Accession of the Republic of  Moldova to the Agreement on Government 
Procurement may be adopted in the Committee meeting in September 2015, and in any case 
accession is expected to occur before the end of 2015. 
3.1.10.2  Domestic legal framework for procurement and related reforms
49 
3.72.  The Public Procurement Agency (PPA), under  t h e  M i n i s t r y  o f  F i n a n c e ,  i s  i n  c h a r g e  o f  
government procurement matters. Together with twinning project partners, the PPA developed the 
revised Law on Public Procurement that will replace Law on Government Procurement (No. 96-XVI 
of 13 April 2007).50 Under the revised Law on Public Procurement, public contracts are awarded 
without any discrimination of foreign suppliers. Any business operator, resident or non-resident, 
individual or legal entity of private or public la w or any group of such persons, have the right to 
participate, subject to the conditions of the law, in the procedure of awarding a public procurement 
contract. Foreign business operators enjoy the same rights in respect of the participation in the 
procedures of awarding public procurement contracts as those enjoyed by business operators of 
the Republic of Moldova in the country where the foreign business operator is a resident.51  
                                               
42 Statistics of contracts awarded to fo reign suppliers were not available.  
43 The new Law on Public Procurement will enter into  force nine months after it is published in the 
Official Gazette . 
44 WTO document GPA/ACC/MDA/27, 27 July 2015.  
45 EU Commission (2015).  
46 EBRD/UNCITRAL Initiative on Public Procurement (2013).  
47 WTO document WT/ACC/MOL/37, 11 January 2001, paragraph 150. 
48 WTO document GPA/63, 8 January 2002. 
49 This section draws on online information provided by the EBRD / UNCITRAL Public Procurement 
Initiative. Viewed at: http://www.ppi-ebrd-uncitral .com/index.php/en/moldova .  
50 It was endorsed by the Ministry of Finance and approved by the Government in Decision No. 217 of 
25 March 2014. The draft law passed the first reading in Parliament on 19 June 2014, and was adopted in the 
final reading by the Parliament on 3 July 2015. 
51 Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 15 of th e revised Law on Pu blic Procurement. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 41 - 
 
  3.73.  In addition, the following secondary legislation was approved in 2013-15: Public 
procurement regulation on using the competitiv e dialogue procedure (approved by Government 
Decision No. 804 of 10 October 2013); Public proc urement regulation on using the negotiation 
procedure (approved by Government Decision No. 794 of 8 October 2013); Public procurement 
regulation on using the dynamic system (approved by Government Decision No. 766 of 
26 September 2013); Public procurement regulation on using the electronic auction (approved by 
Government Decision No. 774 of 4 October 2013); and Draft law amending and supplementing the 
Code of Administrative Offences (approved by Government Decision No. 181 of 13 March 2013). 
3.74.  In 2013, a draft governmental decision to approve standard documentation for the 
realization of public procurement of consultancy services was also elaborated and is now at the stage of being approved by the Ministry of Fina nce. A regulation regarding the award of public 
procurement contracts using limited procedure was postponed pending the entry into force of the 
new Law on Public Procurement.  
3.75.  As shown in Table A3.2, the legal reforms have resulted in a slight increase of open 
tendering procedures (expressed as share of total procurement by contract value), with a marked 
surge in the use of e-procurement in 2013 and 2014 (Chart 3.3). 
Chart 3.3 Share of open tendering, 2009-14 
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014Share of total procurement by contact value
Open tenders via SIA  RSAP
Open tenders in paper format
 
Source: Information provided by the Moldovan authorities.  
3.76.  During 2013-14, the implementation of a modern e-procurement system (the so-called 
State Information Automated System for Public Procurement Register or "SIA") continued, 
following the launch of the first stage of such a system in 2012. According to the World Bank, the e-procurement portal was further developed and new functionalities were added, such as the 
announcement of intended procurement activities, the availability of electronic bidding documents, 
the automated public procurement bulletin, and generation of an electronic bid template for economic operators. Standard procurement docu ments and Guidance Notes are being developed 
by the Ministry of Finance and the Moldovan Government.
52  
3.77.  The progress of certification as well as business outreach, training and study tours were 
conducted and completed. Currently, all Ministries  (16) and 133 additional contracting agencies, 
i.e. a total of 149 central public authorities us e the e-procurement system in a pilot scheme. 
According to government statistics, in 2014, 2,704 electronic procurement procedures were 
initiated and carried through via SAI RSAP by the 149 contracting authorities, which resulted in 3,809 concluded contracts amounting to MDL 3,757 million in procurement value. The system has 
undergone several evaluations, both by foreign evaluators and representatives of the central 
government. Among other things, the e-procuremen t system was audited by the auditors of the 
Court of the Republic of Moldova and an audit report was approved.
53 Overall, the e-procurement 
                                               
52 The World Bank (2015).  
53 Decision of the Court of Auditors No. 56 of 8 December 2014, Official Gazette  386-396/47, of 
26 December 2014. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 42 - 
 
  portal provides more easily available procurement information and collects data for statistical and 
audit use, which in turn ensures a greater transparency in public procurement procedures. 
3.1.11  Trade-related investment measures (TRIMs) 3.78.  The authorities stated that the Republic of Moldova does not maintain any trade-related 
investment measures (TRIMs). 
3.2  Measures Directly Affecting Exports 3.2.1  Registration and documentation 
3.79.  Similar registration and documentation requirements apply to exporters and importers 
(section 3.1.1). An electronic export declaration system was implemented in November 2013.  
3.80.  According to the latest estimates from the World Bank, export procedures in the Republic of 
Moldova take 23 days and cost US$1,510 per container (32 days and US$1,545 per container 
in 2012).
54 There are no customs fees for export procedures or registration. 
3.2.2  Export taxes, charges, levies and quotas 3.81.  There are no export taxes, charges, or levies applied by the Government or other public 
authorities in the Republic of Moldova. 
3.82.  On 1 January 2014, the export of Moldavian wine to the EU was liberalized.
55 
3.2.3  Export prohibitions, restrictions and licensing 
3.83.  The Law on Export, Re-export, Import and Transit Control of Strategic Goods (No. 1163-XIV 
of 27 July 2000) provides the legal basis for ex port control in the Republic of Moldova. An 
Interdepartmental Committee is in charge of the process, with the Ministry of Economy as coordinating authority.
56 It has a maximum of 60 days to examine licence applications.  
3.84.  The Republic of Moldova uses the EU Control List as basis for its own National Control List 
which includes: "Dual-Use Goods and Technologies List" (10 categories) and "List of Weapons and Munitions". The Republic of Moldova also follows international agreements such as the 
Non-Proliferation Treaty (1968), and the Conv ention on the Prohibition of Development, 
Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and their Destruction (1993).  
3.2.4  Export support, financing and promotion 
3.85.  The Republic of Moldova notified that it provided no export subsidies to agricultural products 
in 2002-2014 (section 4.1.3). The authorities stated that no export subsidy is provided.  
3.86.  The Republic of Moldova does not have export credit or export insurance programmes. 
Nonetheless, it provides some assistance to expo rters in export exhibitions and image promotion.  
3.2.5  Free economic zone s and industrial parks 
3.87.  There are seven Free Economic Zones (FEZs)
57, plus an international airport and free port58, 
with status similar to FEZ. The main goals of such zones are the acceleration of the socio-economic 
                                               
54 World Bank Group online information. Viewed at: 
http://doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/Moldova . 
55 CE Regulation No. 1384/2013 of 17 December 2013. 
56 Other institutions involved includ e: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Ministry of 
Internal Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Customs Servic e, and Licensing Chamber. 
57 These are: (i) Expo-Business-Chisinau; (ii) Ungheni-Business; (iii) Otaci-Business; (iv) Valkanes; 
(v) Taraclia; (vi) Tvardita; and (vii) Balti. 
58 The Giurgiulesti International Free Port (GIFP), established in 2005, was granted status similar to a 
FEZ until 2030 (section 4.4.3.2). The Marculesti International Airport, established in 2008, was granted status similar to GIFP until 2018 (section 4.4.3.4). WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 43 - 
 
  development of certain areas and the country as a whole by creating jobs, attracting foreign and 
domestic investments, and promoting export-oriented production.59 
3.88.  In general, FEZs are created for a period of 25-30 years and offer, inter alia , the following 
incentives: (i) exemption from VAT; (ii) exemption from customs duties on goods imported into 
the FEZ and subsequently exported; (iii) exemption from excise duties on goods imported into the 
FEZ and subsequently exported; (iv) entities established in the FEZ which export goods and services from FEZ to outside the customs territo ry of the Republic of Moldova or deliver the 
produced goods to other FEZ residents for goods to be exported are entitled to a 50% exemption 
of corporate income tax (CIT) payment
60; and (v) the income obtained from exports of goods and 
services originating from the FEZ to outside the customs territory of the Republic of Moldova or 
from supply of the produced goods to other FEZ residents for goods to be exported is CIT 
exempted for a period of three years (five years) , provided the FEZ residents invested a capital 
equivalent of at least US$1 million (US$5 million) in fixed assets of their enterprises and/or in the development of infrastructure of the FEZ. In addition, investors in FEZs are guaranteed and 
protected against changes in legislation for a period of up to 10 years. 
3.89.  The following types of activities may be carried out in FEZs: industrial production of goods 
for export (apart from ethylic alcohol and alcoho l products); sorting, packing, labelling and other 
similar operations for goods which transit through Moldovan customs territory; other auxiliary 
activities (e.g. utility services, warehousing, construction, catering); external commercial activity (i.e. wholesale of goods imported into FEZ outside the Republic of Moldova and offered for export). 
Each type of activity within FEZ is subject to a separate time-limited authorization issued by the 
FEZ Administration. 
3.90.  As of 31 December 2014, investments in FEZs amounted to US$212 million, with 161 
residents registered. The number of employees work ing in the FEZs as at the end of 2014 reached 
6,620 people. In 2014, 95.7% of the total volume of goods produced and services provided in 
FEZs was industrial. In 2014, 79.1% of the goods and services produced in the FEZs were exported, i.e. US$215 million or 9.2% of Moldovan exports.  
3.91.  The Republic of Moldova has nine industrial parks. An industrial park is a defined area with 
technical and production infrastructure, where certain economic activities are carried out (mainly industrial production, services provision implementation of scientific researches and/or technological development) under a specific facilities regime, for the purpose of capitalizing human 
and material potential of the respective region.
61 Industrial parks may be established upon the 
initiative of central and local public administration bodies, state and municipality enterprises, and commercial institutions. Initiators of industrial park establishments shall create a company with 
public or public-private capital, or shall transfer the public property assets, meant for the 
establishment of the industrial park, to an enterprise selected through a tender on the public-private partnership basis.
62 The Industrial Park title shall be granted for a period of 30 
years. 
3.92.  Holders of industrial park titles and its residents can benefit, inter alia , of the following 
incentives: (i) payment exemption to compensate losses incurred due to the exclusion of land from the category of land with agricultural destination; (ii) free of charge alienation or transfer into 
commodatum of the administrator-enterprise’s public property assets for the establishment and 
development of the industrial park, upon the decision of the owner of such assets; (iii) the right to privatize the public property land associated with constructions, at the land normative price, set at 
the moment when such land is transferred into use to the administrator-enterprise or is leased to 
the residents of the industrial park; (iv) fiscal fa cilities in compliance with the Tax Code; (v) the 
possibility for the administrator-enterprise to appl y the diminution coefficient down to 0.3 of the 
tariff set for the annual lease payment for the public property land; (vi) optimization of state 
control over the activity of the industrial park residents; and (vii) allocation, as the case may be, of financial means for establishing technical and production infrastructure. 
                                               
59 Law on Free Economic Zones No. 440-XV of 27 July 2001. 
60 For other cases, a 75% exem ption of the CIT applies. 
61 Law on Industrial Parks No. 182 of 15 July 2010. 
62 This enterprise may obtain, through a Government De cision, the title of Industrial Park, becoming the 
Administrator of the Industrial Park, and with th e right to carry out entrepreneurship activities. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 44 - 
 
  3.93.  Since the establishment of industrial parks and up to March 2015, total investments under 
this scheme amounted to some US$45.9 million , with 44 enterprises as residents and 
1,450 employees.  
3.3  Measures Affecting Production and Trade 
3.3.1  Incentives 
3.94.  Enterprises registered in the Republic of Moldova (local and foreign), different from those 
established in FEZs and/or industrial parks (section 3.3.5), benefit from certain incentives (e.g. 
reduction of the taxable income and other tax deductions) in accordance with the Tax Code and 
other fiscal legislation.63 
3.95.  Enterprises deriving over 50% of their income from the sale of their own developed 
software were exempted from income tax for a period of five years until 2012 when this incentive 
was eliminated.64 
3.96.  Enterprises residing in the international port of Giurgiulesti are entitled to 75% exemption of 
corporate tax payment for a period of 10 consecutive years, starting with the first fiscal period 
after the fiscal period when the taxable income was recorded. Until the expiration of the Law on 
Free International Port "Giurgiulesti" they are al so entitled to 50% of corporate tax exemption.65 
3.3.2  State trading, state-owned enterprises, and privatization  
3.97.  The Republic of Moldova has notified the WTO that it does not have state-trading 
enterprises as defined in GATT Article XVII an d the Understanding on the Interpretation of 
Article XVII (Table 2.1). 
3.98.  The privatization process in the Republic of Moldova began in 1993 with mass privatization 
of residential housing, most small-scale traders and over half of small-scale enterprises. After 
1996, privatization moved to cash privatization with the goal of selling most of the remaining state assets, in particular large-scale enterprises in the energy and telecommunication sectors. Several 
larger Moldovan firms have been sold for cash and debt assumption to strategic investors. The sale 
of a cement mill to a leading producer, leather pr ocessing firm, several textile producers, several 
wineries and a hotel in the capital topped the list of transactions. 
3.99.  New provisions concerning privatization were approved in 2007 under the Law on Public 
Property Management and Privatization. The implem entation of this law has marked the beginning 
of a new stage in the privatization process, char acterized by widening the types of enterprises 
subject to privatization, also including those in infrastructure; diversification of the privatization 
methods, as well as shifting the privatization deals to the capital market and restructuring 
privatized enterprises. Under such law, the Public Property Agency (PPA) is the authority responsible for the management and privatizatio n of public property, and post-privatization 
activity. It also exercises the functions of owner of state property.  
3.100.  The main privatization methods are: ou tcry and discount auctions organized by PPA; 
securities sold on the Stock Exchange; and commercial and investment contests. Under 
commercial and investment contests participants make their offers according to the information 
published by PPA about state assets proposed for privatization, and a special commission analyzes 
the offers together with the bidders and awards the specific asset to the bidder that made the best 
offer. The difference between these two methods is that in the case of an investment contest the 
winning bidder has the obligation to make a minimum volume of investments in a specified 
amount of time, while in the case of commercial contest the key factor is the price offered. 
3.101.  A new legal framework for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) was approved in 2008. It 
includes the Law on Public-Private Partnerships, the Law on Concessions, and secondary legislation 
                                               
63 Enterprises that increase the average number of  employees in the current  fiscal year over the 
previous year have the right to reduce the taxable inco me by a certain amount (calculated by multiplying the 
average annual wage in the Republic of Moldov a with the increased number of employees). 
64 This incentive was eliminated by Law No. 267 of 23 December 2011. 
65 Law No.8-XV of 17 February 2005. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 45 - 
 
  such as the Regulation on standard procedures and conditions for selecting the private partner66, 
and recommendations on amending and supplementing risk-sharing projects.67 There is also a 
Practical Handbook for the implementation of PPP projects and concessions (PPP Manual) and a 
PPP guide. 
3.102.  As of 31 December 2014, there were 363 state-owned enterprises (SOEs)68, down from 
551 at the end of 2001.69 The State retains a majority holding in 71 JSC with state ownership. 
Some of the most important SOEs are listed in Table 3.6.  
Table 3.6 Selected state-owned enterprises, 2015 
SOE Activity State ownership (%) 
Air Moldova Air transport 100 
Moldovan Railways (Caleaferata din Moldova) Rail transport 100 
JSC Termoelectrica Electricity 100 
JSC Electric thermal power plant North Electricity 100 
JSC Power Distribution Networks North Electricity 100 
JSC Power Distribution Networks North-West Electricity 100 
JSC Modtelecom Telecommunications 100 
JSC Tutun CTC Tobacco plant 90.8 
Nodul Hidroenergetic Costes ti Hydropower plant 100 
Fabrica de sticla din Chisinau Glass 100 
JSC Barza Alba Alcoholic beverages  100 
Source: Information provided by the Moldovan authorities. 
3.3.3  Competition policy, state aid, co nsumer protection, and price controls 
3.103.  The domestic competition legal framework, formed by the Law on Competition70 and the 
Law on State Aid71, aims to maintain a competitive market and is particularly intended to 
transpose EU provisions into national law.72 The main legal provisions of the Law on Competition 
refer to: categories of prohibited anticompetitive actions (anticompetitive agreements, abuse of 
dominant position, the actions or inactions of public authorities and institutions preventing or 
distorting competition, violations of legal provisions regarding economic concentration, prohibited acts of unfair competition); procedures for investigating anticompetitive practices; merger 
authorization procedure; conditions for exemption of anti-competitive agreements; determination 
of sanctions for violations; and conditions of application of the leniency policy. 
3.104.  The Competition Council (CC), previously the National Agency for Protection of Competition 
(NAPC), was established in 2012 as an autonomous public authority, liable to the Parliament, with 
the aim to ensure observance of the enforcement of competition and state-aid legislation. It can 
initiate the examination of any alleged breaches of competition legislation, by its own motion or at the request of any individual or enterprise a ffected by the alleged infringement. The CC is 
responsible for conducting the fact-finding process and for issuing a first-instance ruling. Upon 
violation of the Law, the CC is entitled to request termination of the infringement to prescribe behavioural or structural remedies and/or apply fine. Table 3.7 shows the competition cases 
investigated during 2008-14. 
                                               
66 Government Decision No. 476 of 4 July 2012. 
67 Order by the Ministry of Economy No. 143 of 2 August 2013. 
68 These were 250 state enterprises and 113 joint-stock companies (JSC) with state ownership. 
69 These were 308 state enterprises and 243 JSC with state ownership. 
70 Law on Competition No. 183 of 11 July 2012. Six regulations, approved during 2013-15, constitute 
the secondary legislation supporting the implementation of the Law on Competition. 
71 Law on State Aid No. 139 of 15 June 2012. Some 21 regulations, approved in 2013-14, constitute the 
secondary legislation supporting the impl ementation of the Law on State-Aid. 
72 The first national regulations related to competition appeared at the beginning of the 1990s, alongside 
with the adoption of the Decision of the Government  SSR Moldova No. 2 of 1991 on urgent measures to 
de-monopolizing the national economy, which declared the development of the competition principle and repression of monopolist activity as one of the fundamental directions of the economy. Subsequently, Law No. 
906 of 1992 on the restriction of monopolist activity and on competition development was approved. The 
principle of free competition and protection of fair comp etition is stated in the 1994 Constitution. In 2000, the 
Parliament adopted another law on competition protec tion, without expressly repealing Law No. 906 of 1992. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 46 - 
 
  3.105.  While the Republic of Moldova has estab lished a functioning market economy, the State 
continues to provide aid on economic or social gro unds. In addition to direct costs to the budget, 
there are indirect costs as a result of forgon e revenues, associated with, for example, tax 
exemptions. The Law on State Aid entered into fo rce in August 2013. It sets out the methods of 
authorizing, monitoring and reporting state aid gran ted to individuals and legal entities in all areas 
of the national economy, except agriculture, in order to maintain a normal competitive environment. Any state aid is offered subject to preliminary approval of the CC, with the 
exceptions provided by the State Aid Law No. 139. Table 3.8 describes state-aid given during 
2011-13.  
Table 3.7 Competition investigations, 2008-14 
(Number of cases) 
 2008  2009  2010  2011  2012 2013 2014  
Anticompetitive agreements 6 1 9 1 3 1 2 
Abuse of dominant position 10 14 9 21 3 0 1 
Research/State Control 8 4 0 7 0 6 9 
Anticompetitive actions of public authorities 2 10 4 15 10 11 0 
Unfair competition 12 13 14 11 16 1 5 
In the field of advertising 11 11 7 4 1 0 3 
Mergers and procurement 8 16 34 20 6 2 3 
Associations 17 7 12 8 0 0 0 
Total Investigated 74  76 89 97 39 21 23  
Number of appeals 8 4 3 21 8 2 6 
Decisions reversed on appeal 6 1 1 8 2 0 0 
Total fines (MDL'000) 0 0 0 263.3 1,398.2 282.4 1,703.3 
Source: Information provided by the Moldovan authorities. 
Table 3.8 State Aid, 2011-13 
 2011  2012 2013a 
State Aid (€ '000) 260,573 310,008 237,105 
Budgetary expenditures (%) 13.3 13.6 15.9 
Foregone budget revenues (%) 86.7 86.4 84.1 
State budget (%) 0.22 0.23 0.18 
Share in GDP (%) 5.2 5.5 3.95 
a Up to 16 August 2013. 
Source: Information provided by the Moldovan authorities.  
3.106.  Consumer legislation contains provisions on the safety of consumers, liability of producers 
and sellers for breaches of law and their contractual obligations, procedure for concluding 
contracts, establishing the shelf-life of food an d non-food products, replacement of products or 
reimbursement of their cost, etc. The Consumer  Protection Agency (CPA) is the competent 
authority in this field. Recent amendments to the Moldovan competition legislation transposed 
certain provisions of EU legislation, e.g. concerning unfair business-to-customer commercial 
practices, and unfair terms in consumer contracts.73 
3.107.  In the Republic of Moldova, price regulation is carried at the sector level. The State usually 
intervenes in the formation of prices by limiting the trade mark-up. The Parliament approves 
legislative acts and action areas of State institutions with independent regulatory activity: the CC exercises state control over commodity markets to ensure market competition; while the National 
Agency for Energy Regulation (NAER) elaborates , approves methodologies, and sets tariffs for 
electricity, thermal energy and natural gas, as well as for public water supply, sewerage and waste 
water treatment.
74 NAER also elaborates and approves, after coordination with the government, 
the methodology for calculating and applying petroleum products prices. The government 
approves methodologies of calculation of regulated prices/tariffs (including the price formation 
                                               
73 Law No. 256 of 9 December 2011 on unfair terms in consumer contracts, and Law No. 105 of 
13 March 2003 on consumer protection (Articles 13 and 14 about unfair commercial practices). 
74 NAER also approves tariffs for public water su pply, sewerage and waste water treatment in cases 
provided for by Law No. 303 of 13 December 2013 on public water supply and sewerage. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 47 - 
 
  mechanism for socially-important goods); approves tariffs; and controls the prices in some 
cases.75 
3.108.  The following products/services are subject to regulated prices:  
a. petroleum products: NAER approves the methodology for calculating and applying the 
prices of petroleum products (diesel oil, ga soline and liquefied petroleum gas). It limits 
the business return at 10% of operational co sts, including costs of imported petroleum 
products; 
b. electric power, thermal energy, natural gas: NAER approves the methodologies for 
calculating the tariffs and determines the rates for services; 
c. pharmaceutical products: capping trade margins (i.e. commercial addition) up to 40%; 
d. current food demand (i.e. socially-important goods): limits on the return of the 
production of dairy and bakery products, capping trade margins (i.e. commercial 
addition) up to 10%, 20% and 40%;  
e. utilities (i.e. electricity, thermal energy, natural gas supply, public water supply, 
sewerage and waste water treatment): fixed tariffs;  
f. public transport: fixed tariffs (cost of travel tickets);  
g. postage and telecommunications: fixed tariffs for national (through government acts) 
and international postal services (in accordance with bilateral agreements);  
h. health: fixed tariffs through governmental acts; and 
i. registry offices: fixed tariffs. 
3.109.  The CC supervises the prices/tariffs in situations of monopoly and dominant position on the 
market, as well as in cases where "cartel agreements" exist. The Consumer Protection Agency 
controls the overall correctness of prices/tariffs. When services are provided by a public institution, the rate is linked to the effectively borne costs and type of consumption (non-profit activity); State 
enterprises may include in the price a reasonable limit of return (i.e. entrepreneurial activity). 
3.3.4  Intellectual property rights 3.110.  The domestic legal framework on IPRs is basically contained in the following laws: 
Protection of Invention No. 50-XVI of 7 March 2008, in force since 4 October 2008; Protection of 
Trademarks No. 38-XVI of 29 February 2008, in force since 6 September 2008; Protection of Industrial Designs No. 161-XVI of 12 July 2007, in force since 1 December 2007; Protection of Plant Varieties No. 39-XVI of 29 February 2008, in force since 6 September 2008; Protection of 
Topographies of Integrated Circuits No. 655-XIV of 29 October 1999 (as amended by Laws 
Nos. 1446/2002, 469/2003, 205/2005 and 238/2008); Copyright and Neighbouring Rights No. 139 of 2 July 2010, in force since 1 January 2011; and Protection of Geographical Indications, 
Appellations of Origin and Traditional Specialties Guaranteed No. 66-XVI of 25 October 2008. The 
Republic of Moldova has notified its most recent IPR legal framework.
76 The Moldovan intellectual 
property legislation was reviewed by the WTO TRIPS Council in March 2002.77 
                                               
75 The Ministry of Economy develops  the mechanism of price formation for socially-impor tant goods (i.e. 
to meet current food demand  needs); the Ministry of He alth develops methodologies for calculating tariffs for 
medical services as well as pricing pharmaceutical and para-pharmaceutical products; the Ministry of Transport 
and Road Infrastructure develops meth odologies to calculate tariffs for in ternal auto-transpo rt services and 
railway services; the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology develops methodologies to calculate tariffs for postal services. 
76 See for example WTO document IP/N/1/MDA/2, 30 October 2013. 
77 WTO document IP/Q-Q4/MDA1 of 17 May 2004 contains the introductory statement made by the 
authorities, as well as the questions posed and answers given during the review. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 48 - 
 
  3.111.  The Republic of Moldova is a signatory to 26 international and 7 CIS IPR treaties and 
agreements (Table 3.9), and cooperates with more than 30 IP offices around the world. 
Table 3.9 Membership in international agreements, conventions, and treaties, 2015 
Name of Convention, Agreement or Treaty Date of entry into 
force for Moldova 
Universal Copyright Convention (1952)  23 September 1997  
Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organisation (1967)  25 December 1991  
Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883)  25 December 1991  
Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks (1891)  25 December 1991  
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) (1970)  25 December 1991  
Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the 
Purposes of Patent Procedure (1977)  25 December 1991  
Nairobi Treaty on the Protection of the Olympic Symbol (1981)  25 December 1991  
Hague Agreement Concerning the International Deposit of Industrial Designs (1925)  14 March 1994  
Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (1886)  2 November 1995  
Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and 
Broadcasting Organisations (1961)  5 December 1995  
Trademark Law Treaty (TLT) (1994)  1 August 1996  
Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of 
Marks (1989)  1 December 1997  
Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the 
Purposes of the Registration of Marks (1957)  1 December 1997 
Locarno Agreement Establishing an International Classification for Industrial Designs (1968)  1 December 1997 
Vienna Agreement Establishing an International Classification of the Figurative Elements of 
Marks (1973)  1 December 1997 
Strasbourg Agreement Concerning the Intern ational Patent Classification (1971)  1 September 1998  
International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (1961)  28 October 1998  
Convention for the Protection of Producers of  Phonograms Against Unauthorized Duplication 
of their Phonograms (1971)  17 July 2000  
Madrid Agreement for the Repression of False or Deceptive Indications of Source on Goods 
(1891)  5 April 2001  
Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appe llations of Origin and their International 
Registration (1958)  5 April 2001  
WIPO Treaty on Copyright (1996)  6 March 2002  
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (1996)  20 May 2002  
Patent Law Treaty (PLT) (2000)  28 April 2005  
Brussels Convention Relating to the Distribution of Programme-Carrying Signals Transmitted 
by Satellite (1974)  28 October 2008  
Singapore Trademark Law Treaty (2006) 16 March 2009  
WTO Agreement on TRIPS (1994)  26 July 2001  
Agreements in the Field of Inte llectual Property Signed by the Republic of Moldova within the 
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) 
Eurasian Patent Convention (1994)a  16 February 1996  
Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Protection of Copyright and Related Rights (1993)  25 November 1998  
Agreement on Cooperation for the Prevention of Intellectual Property Rights Infringements 
(1998)  20 November 2001  
Agreement on Mutual Securing of Interstate Secrets in the Field of  Legal Protection of 
Inventions (1999)  3 January 2002  
Agreement on Measures to Prevent and Terminate the Use of False Trademarks and 
Geographical Indications (1999)  3 January 2002  
Agreement on the Production of Joint CIS Regi onal Patent Information Product on CD-ROMs 
(2001)  22 May 2001  
Decision of CIS Governments Concerning the Customs Regulations on the passage through 
the border of goods containing inte llectual property objects (2001)  29 August 2002  
a The Eurasian Patent Convention was denounced by Moldova under Law No. 78 of 21 April 2011. 
Source: AGEPI (2012), Protection of Intellectual Property in the Republic of Moldova , Chisinau. 
3.112.  The legal framework is being amende d in order to harmonize it with the EU acquis  in line 
with the National Intellectual Property Strate gy (NIPS) 2012-20, the NIPS Action Plan 2012-1478, 
and the Association Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Moldova (Title V Chapter 9 on 
IPRs). 
3.113.  The Republic of Moldova's main IPR objective is to ensure a level of protection similar to 
that in the EU, including effective means of enforcement. At the same time, the NIPS aims at the 
"development and strengthening of a legal, institutional and social framework adequate for the 
                                               
78 The NIPS 2012-20 and the NIS Action Plan 2012-14 we re approved by Government Decision No. 880 
of 22 November 2012. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 49 - 
 
  creation, protection, management and plenary exploitation of intellectual property potential, to 
meet the international standards and contribute to the development of a competitive national economy based on knowledge and innovation."
79  
3.114.  Some of the key IPR challenges identified by the NIPS are: "insufficient use of the 
intellectual creation and innovative activity, which is the foundation of a competitive knowledge-
based economy; high level of piracy and counterfeiting, which poses a major threat to the economic security of the country and the health  of local consumers; poor involvement of the 
holders of intellectual property objects (IPO) in the IPR protection actions, which considerably 
reduces the effectiveness of application of IPR pr otection measures; extremely reduced utilization 
of IP potential by the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME); the large number of cases of 
unfair competition and submission of ill-intended IPO registration applications; the insufficient level 
of culture in the IP field; and lack of transparency  in the activity of the organizations for collective 
management of copyright and related rights."
80  
3.115.  The regulatory body in charge of th e legal protection of trademarks, patents and 
copyrights is the State Agency for the Intelle ctual Property (AGEPI) established in 1992 and 
reorganized in 2004 and 2014.81 Its main responsibilities include: granting IP rights, formulation of 
IP policy, elaboration and development of IP legislation, observance of the implementation of 
national legislation and international agreements, and IP education and training.  
3.116.  The National Commission on Intellectual Property (NCIP), is an advisory body under the 
Government, established in 2008, to coordinate an d ensure the interaction of ministries, other 
central administrative authorities and holders of IP rights in activities aimed at developing and 
strengthening the National Intellectual Prop erty System, combating and preventing IPR 
infringements and fighting against counterfeiting, import and sale of counterfeit goods in the Republic of Moldova.
82  
3.117.  The key features of the Republic of Moldova's IPRs regime are summarized in Table 3.10. 
Table 3.10 Main features of the IPR regime 
Intellectual 
Property 
Right Patents Trademarks  Industrial 
Designs Geographical 
Indications Copyrights Related 
Rights 
Object of 
protection A new 
process or product A distinctive 
sign Appearance 
of a product or part thereof Geographical 
name designating a product whose specific quality, reputation or other characteristics can be attributed to geographical origin Literary 
artistic and scientific works Performances, 
phonograms videograms, broadcasts of broadcasting organizations 
Term of 
protection 20 yearsa 10 years 
with 
unlimited 
possibility of 
renewal Maximum 
25 years 
from the 
filing date Unlimited 
provided that 
the special 
characteristics 
are preserved Throughout 
the lifetime 
of the author 
and for 70 
years after 
his death 50 years as 
from the date 
of the 
performance, 
printing or 
broadcasting 
                                               
79 Government Decision No. 880 of 22 November 2012. 
80 Government Decision No. 880 of 22 November 2012. 
81 Law No. 114 of 3 July 2014 on the State Agency on  Intellectual Property, published in Monitorul 
Official No 282-289 of 26 September 2014. 
82 Government Decision No. 489 of 2008. NCIP includes  persons in charge of the following institutions: 
AGEPI, Academy of Sciences of Moldova,  Ministry of Economy, Mi nistry of Justice, Minist ry of Internal Affairs, 
Ministry of Information Technology  and Communications, Customs Servic e, Center for Combating Economic 
Crimes and Corruption, Center for Consumer Protection, Executive Committee of ATU Gagauzia. The President 
of NCIP is the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 50 - 
 
  Intellectual 
Property 
Right Patents Trademarks  Industrial 
Designs Geographical 
Indications Copyrights Related 
Rights 
How to 
obtain protection By 
registration By 
registration By 
registration
b By registration Appears 
automatically with the creation of the work  Appears 
automatically with the creation of objects 
Who can get 
protection Any natural 
or legal 
person Any natural 
or legal 
person Author 
and/or his 
successor in 
tittle A group acting 
in the 
delimited area, 
regardless of 
the legal form 
of organization Author 
and/or right 
holder Performers, 
phonogram 
producers, 
videogram 
producers and 
broadcasting 
organizations 
The rights 
conferred Exclusive 
right  Exclusive 
right Exclusive 
right Right of use Exclusive 
moralc and 
economic rights Exclusive 
moral and 
economic rights 
a The term of a short-term patent for invention is 6 years with the po ssibility of extension for a period 
not exceeding 4 years.  
b An unregistered industrial  design is protected for a period of three years from the date on which it 
was made available to the public for the fi rst time in the Republic of Moldova.  
c Moral rights are imprescriptible even if the author assigns his economic rights.  
Source: State Agency on Intellectual Property (2014), National Report 2013 on the enforcement of 
Intellectual Property Rights in the Republic of Moldova , Chisinau.  
3.118.  Table 3.11 shows the applications/registrations during 2008-14 for various industrial 
property objects, led by trademarks (84% and 86%  of total applications and registrations in 2014, 
respectively), followed by industrial designs, an d inventions (including short-term patents). About 
27% of applications were filed by national applicants, the remaining 73% by foreign applicants who have acted by both national and inte rnational way, under the Madrid System  for 
trademarks, the Hague System – for industrial design, Lisbon System  for appellations of origin, 
the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)  for inventions. 
Table 3.11 Application/registration of  intellectual property objects, 2008-14 
 2008 2009  2010  2011  2012  2013 2014  
Applications        
Patents 292 141 143 108 115 96 139 
Short-term patents 68 198 201 182 175 213 158 
Plant varieties 32 10 18 18 34 43 34 
Industrial designs 384 276 289 280 300 381 318 
Layout designs of 
integrated circuits 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Trade marks 6,808 5,277 5,454 5,794 5,449 5,870 5,511 
Geographical indications 0 0 3,136 0 4 0 358 
Appellations of origin 3 4 6 2 7 14 25 
Registrations        
Patents 250 290 132 63 51 61 54 
Short-term patents 24 43 184 158 133 123 134 
Plant varieties 12 17 25 15 20 25 29 
Industrial designs 389 297 254 251 229 281 276 
Layout designs of 
integrated circuits 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Trade marks 5,795 5,017 4,487 4,451 3,954 4,250 5,399 
Geographical indications 0 0 3,136 0 0 4 357 
Appellations of origin 16 3 4 6 6 7 19 
Source: Information provided by the Moldovan authorities. 
3.119.  Led by AGEPI, several other institutions are involved in the protection, enforcement and 
defense of IPRs: Judiciary System; Prosecutor General’s Office; Customs Service; Ministry of 
Internal Affairs (MIA); the Competition Council (CC); Ministry of Information Technology and 
Communications; and Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry. 
3.120.  The Board of Appeals, under AGEPI, is a specialized body for the extrajudicial settlement of 
appeals filed against decisions of registration/patenting or rejection of applications for WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 51 - 
 
  registration/patenting of IPOs. Decisions taken by the Board of Appeals may be appealed by the 
parties in the courts in the manner and within the time limits established by legislative acts in the field of intellectual property and the law of civil procedure. 
3.121.  Disputes involving IPOs relate to two categories: appeals examined by the Board of 
Appeals and disputes examined in courts. Duri ng 2003-2014, of 1,718 decisions issued by the 
Board of Appeals, 186 were contested in court (10.8% of total decisions), of which 119 judgments were maintained and 67 judgments were canceled, respectively, 36% of contested ones or 3.9% 
of the total of adopted ones. 
3.122.  In accordance with the provisions of the Law on Copyright and Related Rights, AGEPI 
established the Mediation Board in the field of intellectual property, examining and settling disputes assigned to its competence according to the special laws in the field of intellectual 
property and disputes in the field of collectiv e management of copyright and related rights. 
Currently, the Regulation of this Board is being drafted by AGEPI. 
3.123.  In order to familiarize the general public wi th the results of the examination of IP disputes 
and in the context of implementation of the RM-E U Action Plan regarding public access to legal 
information and case law in this area, AGEPI initiated in 2007 the publication on its website
83 of 
court decisions and judgments on intellectual prop erty cases. As at the end of 2014 their total 
number reached 423, of which 312 (74%) refer to trademarks, 71 (17%) to copyright and related 
rights, 21 (5%) to inventions, and 19 (4.5%) to industrial designs. 
3.124.  Depending on the gravity of the action , liability (contravention, criminal) for the 
infringement of rights on IPOs can be in the fo rm of: fine for natural and legal persons ranging 
from MDL 160-200,000; community service for 180 to 240 hours; deprivation of the right to 
practice certain activities for 1 to 5 years; and imprisonment for up to 5 years.84 
3.125.  In 2014, the Customs Service registered 30 detentions of goods suspected of being 
counterfeit (up from 9 in 2009), 90% of which were mobile phones and accessories. In 2014, the 
MIA General Police Inspectorate registered and processed 82 complaints on infringement of IPRs (against 33 in 2010), which resulted in seizure reports on counterfeit/pirated goods with a total 
value of MDL 1.6 million. On the basis of instituted contravention cases, in 2014 fines amounted to 
MDL 168,000. In 2014, the Competition Council (CC) initiated 3 IPR-related cases.
85 In 2014, the 
Prosecutor's General Office carried out criminal prosecution in 32 IPR cases.  
 
                                               
83 Online information. Viewed at: http ://agepi.gov.md/md/practice/decisions/. 
84 Detailed information on legal provisions on  enforcement of IPR rights can be found at: 
http://agepi.gov.md/md/legislation/national.php. 
85 During 2007-12, the Administrative Council of the National Agency for the Protection of Competition 
(now CC) instituted 32 cases on signs of violation of the legislation on the protection of competition involving IPRs. AGEPI (2014). WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 52 - 
 
  4  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR 
4.1  Agriculture 4.1.1  Overview 4.1.  With farm land representing some 73.8% of  the Republic of Moldova's total land area, the 
agriculture sector has traditionally been an important pillar of the Moldovan economy. Agriculture 
output was generally on the rise during the review  period, except for a drought-related contraction 
in 2012. Agriculture accounted for 12.8% of GDP and 30.5% of employment in 2014, against 8.5% 
and 28.2%, respectively, in 2009.
1 The crops and livestock segments continued to dominate 
agriculture output, whereas forestry and fisheries continued to make minor contributions to GDP throughout 2009-2014. The main farming activities were viticulture, horticulture, and cereal and sunflower production (Chart 4.1). The Republic of Moldova is a net exporter of agriculture and food 
products, which accounted for 46.2% of total export  earnings in 2014. The main export categories 
are wine and spirits, (fresh and processed) fruit and vegetables, cereals and oil seeds.  
Chart 4.1 Agricultural output by main categories, 2009 and 2014 
Poultry
5.7%
Sunflower
5.9%2014 2009
Grapes
18.7%Pigs
7.8%
Milk
10.7%
Potatoes
4.9%Pigs
9.4%
Other plant
production
23.1%
Potatoes
4.3%Grapes
6.8%Milk
9.7%Poultry
6.8%
Total:  US$1.2 billion Total:  US$1.9 billionEggs  3.1%
Sunflower
8.0%Cereals
25.2%Other plant 
production
20.2%
Cereals
18.4%Eggs  3.8%
Other animal 
production
3.9%Other animal 
production   
3.6%
 
Note: Figures for 2014 are preliminary estimates. 
Source: Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Moldova (2013) and data provided by the authorities. 
4.2.  Notwithstanding the considerable potential of the Republic of Moldova's fertile soils, the 
agriculture sector's productivity is hampered by, inter alia, : infrastructure deficiencies, particularly 
in rural areas; the limited coverage and poor condition of irrigation systems; a weak SPS 
framework; and a declining and ag eing rural labour force. Vulnerability to adverse climatic 
conditions and soil erosion also remains a major limiting factor. 
4.3.  The Republic of Moldova completed land privatization in the 1990s; in 2011, there were over 
900,000 title holders with an average landholding of 2.49 hectares. Land fragmentation continues 
to hamper the competitiveness of Moldovan agricult ure, as it limits the possibilities to exploit 
economies of scale and discourages investment in mechanisation. There are no restrictions on land 
transactions among Moldovan citizens and Moldovan legal entities; foreign investors may lease 
agricultural land for up to 99 years.2  
4.4.  The main objectives of the Republic of Mold ova's agricultural policy are to ensure domestic 
food security and to foster sustainable growth  of the agro-industrial sector by increasing 
                                               
1 The combined contribution of agriculture and food processing to Moldovan GDP was 17.1% in 2014, up 
from 16.7% in 2009. 
2 Law No. 198-XV of 15 May 2003. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 53 - 
 
  competitiveness and productivity.3 The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) has 
primary responsibility for policy formulation in the sector. MAFI is assisted by the following institutions: the National Food Safety Agency
4; the Agency for Payment and Intervention in 
Agriculture5; the National Office of Vineyard and Wine6; and the Agricultural Information Centre.7 
The main laws and regulations governing agriculture are presented in Table A2.1. 
4.1.2  Border measures 4.5.   The Republic of Moldova's applied MFN tari ffs on agricultural products (WTO definition), 
including certain AVEs, averaged 13.5% in 2015, up from 12.1% in 2009; non- ad valorem  tariffs 
applied mostly to agricultural imports (Table 3.1). Tariff protection remains highest for sugar (75%), followed by animals and animal products (averaging 16.2%) (Table A3.1). The Republic of Moldova applies seasonal tariffs to 14 lines (e.g. certain types of potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, 
grapes and other fruits), and tariff rate quotas on imports of sugar (section 3.1.4.1). Certain 
agricultural products are also subject to impo rt licensing requirements (section 3.1.5). The 
authorities affirm that no taxes or licensing requirements apply to agricultural exports. 
4.6.  In 2004, the Republic of Moldova introduced a definitive safeguard measure on sugar imports 
which expired on 31 December 2012 (section 3.1.6). 
4.1.3  Domestic measures 
4.7.  According to the notificati on submitted by the Republic of Moldova to the WTO, non-product 
specific domestic support in agriculture was below the de minimis  threshold (5%) in 2009-10 and 
zero in 2011-13. Between 2009 and 2013, budgetary outlays on "Green Box" measures were in the range of SDR21.3 m illion to SDR37.8 million
8; according to the authorities, the exchange rates 
used for the conversion into SDR were those pu blished by the International Monetary Fund. The 
Republic of Moldova has also notified the Committee on Agriculture that it had not subsidized exports of agricultural products during 2002-2014.
9  
4.8.  After the Republic of Moldova's independence in 1991, financial support provided by the State 
to the agricultural sector followed various policy directions, targeting, inter alia , specific activities, 
particular crops (tobacco, sugar beet, fruits), an d lending to farmers. The system of subsidies 
allocation was decentralized, with funds being granted through several Ministries and State 
institutions, and difficult to manage. As from 2010, the Agency for Interventions and Payment in Agriculture (AIPA) is the public authority in charge of managing disbursements from a centralized subsidy fund to agricultural producers, as well as controlling their compliance with relevant 
conditions.
10 Budgetary outlays for the centralized subsidy fund are approved annually by a 
Government decision11; actual disbursements from the fund depend on farmers' requests. 
According to the authorities, the types of State-funded support measures have remained stable 
during 2011-14 (Table 4.1).  
                                               
3 To this end, the Republic of Moldova has adopted:  a National Strategy for Sustainable Development of 
the Agro-Industrial Complex, 2008-2015 (Government Decision No. 282 of 11 March 2008); a National Strategy for Food Security, 2011–2015 (Government Decision No. 747 of 3 October 2011); a National Strategy on Agriculture and Rural Development, 2014-2020 (Gov ernment Decision No. 409 of 4 June 2014); and a 
Strategy for the Development of Rural Extension Services in the Republic of Moldova, 2012–2022 (Government Decision No. 486 of 4 July 2015). 
4 Law No. 113 of 18 May 2012. 
5 Government Decision No. 60 of 4 February 2010. 
6 Government Decision No. 725 of 16 September 2013. 
7 Government Decision No. 638 of 29 August 2012. 
8 WTO document G/AG/N/MDA/3, 15 January 2015. 
9 WTO document G/AG/N/MDA/4, 1 June 2015. 
10 AIPA has 10 regional offices thro ughout the Republic of Moldova. 
11 Total budgetary outlays for agriculture support we re kept at MDL 400 million during 2010-12; higher 
amounts were set in 2009 (MDL 563.5 million) and 2013 (MDL 462.8 million). WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 54 - 
 
  Table 4.1 Agricultural support measures, 2011-14 
Objective Description 2011-2014 
Total 
beneficiaries Total 
disbursements 
(million MDL) 
1  Stimulating farmers' access to 
finance Partial compensation of the interest 
due on agricultural loans provided by financial institutions, including savings and loan associations. Limits: up to €5,300 per beneficiary (up to €10,800 for those practising ecological agriculture). 2,305 99.0 
2  Stimulating insurance of 
production risks in agriculture Compensation of up to 50% of the 
cost of premiums for crops and 
livestock insurance  473 123.1 
3  Deforesting of multiannual 
plantations, and promoting fruit and wine growing Support of activities in fruit-
growing, wine-growing and aromatic crops-growing plantations (including installation of antifreeze and anti-hail systems). Limits: from €540 to €4,300 per hectare 2,168 298.3 
4  Stimulating investments in the 
production of vegetables on 
protected land (winter greenhouses, 
solariums, tunnels) Amount of support: 60% of the 
cost of construction materials, 
machinery and equipment bought 
and installed (75% for producers' 
groups; an additional 10% for 
young farmers).  551 82.3 
5  Stimulating investments in 
agricultural machinery and irrigation equipment Amount of support: 25% of the 
unit cost of equipment purchased but not exceeding €40,540 per beneficiary; 50 % of the cost of irrigation systems. 5,872 524.3 
6  Stimulating investments in 
infrastructure and technological 
renovation of livestock farms Compensation of the cost of 
technological equipment, 
construction materials and design, 
as follows: 60% for cattle breeding 
farms; and 50% for sheep/goat 
breeding farms. Young farmers are 
eligible for an additional 10%. 254 92.2 
7  Stimulating the purchase of 
breeding cattle and maintaining the genetic fund Compensation ranging from €2/kg 
to €6/kg of the purchased animal's weight. 162 99.9 
8  Stimulating investments in post-
harvesting and processing facilities Compensation of up to 50% of the 
cost of technological and facilities 
equipment (but not exceeding 
€240,000 per beneficiary) 
purchased and installed for 
refrigeration, drying and freezing of 
fruits and vegetables; and primary 
processing of meat, cereals and 
oleaginous plants, sunflower and 
soy beans.  677 258.9 
9  Stimulating agricultural land 
consolidation Compensation of 50% of the fees 
and charges incurred for: notarial authentication of contracts (up to €22 per transaction); and cadastral works (up to €27 per plot when consolidating up to 10 plots; up to €16 per plot when consolidating more than 10 plots). 75 79.0 
10  Stimulating agricultural land 
irrigation Compensation of up to 80% of the 
power costs incurred to re-pump 
water (two or more times) from a 
centralized irrigation system. 75 4.1 
Source: Ministry of Agricu lture and Food Industry.  
4.9.  The Republic of Moldova does not impose any restrictions on the domestic distribution of 
agricultural products, but regulates the maximu m price mark-ups at which certain socially 
important products may be marketed as follows: products intended for processing, up to 40%; WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 55 - 
 
  final products (except bread), up to 20%; and bread, up to 10%.12 The list of products subject to 
regulated prices includes bread, dairy products  (butter, cheese and cream), canned fruit and 
vegetables, juices for kids, sugar (except that in packages of up to 5 grams), wheat flour, rice, buckwheat, and oat flakes (section 3.4.3). Certain agriculture products are subject to VAT at a 
reduced rate (section 3.1.4.4). 
4.10.  In 2009, the Republic of Moldova created a State Cereals Reserve to guard against possible 
market shortages and to ensure the nation's food security.
13 The relevant reserve stocks are 
established and managed by Government decisions; stock replenishment is done at market prices 
and on competitive terms. According to the auth orities, the size of the reserve stocks (some 
60,000 tonnes) is too small to influence prices on  the Moldovan market. A severe drought in 2012 
prompted the Government to make available 31,940 tonnes of wheat from the Reserve in the form 
of an in-kind loan to bakeries in order to prev ent a surge in bread prices; beneficiaries had to 
restore the quantity received within 4-5 months.14  
4.2  Manufacturing 
4.11.  Manufacturing output increased by approximately 38% in nominal terms between 2009 and 
2014, mostly driven by steady growth in the me at processing, electrical machinery, rubber and 
plastics, and textiles and clothing segments (Cha rt 4.2). The sector's contribution to GDP was 
estimated at 11.7% in 2014, up from 10.6% in 2009. The Republic of Moldova remained a net 
importer of manufactures throughout the review pe riod, with a widening trade deficit attributable 
mainly to sustained dynamism in imports of mach inery and transport equipment, and chemicals.  
Chart 4.2 Structure of manufac turing production, 2009 and 2014 
Other food 
& beverages
38.7%2014 2009
Textiles & 
clothing  7.1%Other non-metallic 
products  11.9%
Other 
21.5%Other 
28.7%
Other  food
& beverages  
26.4%Textiles & 
clothing  10.2%Other non-metallic 
products  10.0%
Rubber &
plastics  4.0%
Total:  US$1.6 billion Total:  US$2.2 billionWine
7.3%Meat
9.4%Rubber & plastics
4.2%
Wine
9.3%Meat 
7.2%Electrical
machinery
4.0%
 
Source: Statistical yearbook of the Republic of Moldova 2013; and data provided by the authorities. 
4.12.  State participation in the manufacturing sector is rather modest; State-linked companies 
(fully and partially-owned) accounted for 3.8% of all active enterprises and 9.9% of total manufacturing output in 2013. The food and bevera ge industries dominate manufacturing activity 
in the Republic of Moldova, accounting for over  43% of the sector's output and 45.1% of all 
exports of industrial products in 2014. The author ities estimate that about 50% of the beverage 
industry's total sales were realized abroad; th e corresponding figure for the food industry 
was 27%. 
4.13.  Notwithstanding its strong recent performance, Moldovan manufacturing continues to face 
international competitiveness challenges due to, inter alia , limited access to financing, nearly 
                                               
12 Law No. 231 of 23 September 2010. 
13 Government Decision No. 128 of 10 February 2009. 
14 Government Decision No. 151 of 26 February 2013. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 56 - 
 
  depreciated fixed assets, high energy costs, and low levels of innovation and adoption of new 
technologies. 
4.14.  During the review period, the Republic of Moldova has not made significant changes to 
border measures affecting the manufacturing sector. In 2015, the average tariff (including certain 
AVEs) on imports of manufactured goods (ISIC 3 definition) was 6.2% (Table A3.1), up from 5.2% 
in 2009; the average tariff on the subset of non-food processing products was 4.5% in 2015, against 3.7% in 2009. Some of the highest tariff protection levels applied to prepared food, 
beverages and tobacco, footwear, arms and ammuni tion, and leather products. The Republic of 
Moldova applies an import surcharge on certain motor vehicles (34 tariff lines); the surcharge rate ranges between 10% and 50% of the relevant exci se tax amount, calculated as a function of 
engine capacity and age (section 3.1.4.1). 
4.15.  Domestic support to the manufacturing sector mainly takes the form of incentives granted 
within industrial parks and free economic zones (s ection 3.3.5). The Moldovan public procurement 
regime does not stipulate any preference margins for local manufacturers. 
4.3  Energy 
4.3.1  General features 4.16.  The Moldovan energy market is small and fragmented, as the releva nt regulatory framework 
does not seem to apply in Transnistria. These considerations, coupled with limited potential for 
development and exploitation of untapped resour ces, make it difficult to attract private 
investments to the sector. The Republic of Mold ova's energy needs are essentially met through 
imports (Chart 4.3). The primary energy supply ma trix remains dominated by fossil fuels, with 
natural gas being the input for most locally produced electricity. Notwithstanding some steps 
towards supply diversification, the Republic of Moldova remains strongly dependent on natural gas imports from the Russian Federation; other supply-side risks are linked to internal and regional 
socio-political tensions.  
Chart 4.3 Total primary energy supply (TPES), 2010 and 2013 
20102013Million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe)
TPES: 2.294 Mtoe TPES: 2.318 MtoeCoal
Oil & petroleum 
products
Natural gas
Electricity
BiomassNet imports of the respective resource
Deliveries from Transnistria
 
Note: Data coverage does not include Transnistria, ex cept as a supplier to the rest of the Republic of 
Moldova. 
Source: The Energy Balance of the Republic of Moldova (2014). Viewed at: 
http://www.statistica.md/public/files/publicat ii_electronice/balanta_energetica/BE_2014_eng.pdf .  
4.17.  Moldovan energy statistics for the review period present a number of gaps and inaccuracies. 
The Moldovan economy's energy intensity (TPES/GDP) was estimated at 0.89 in 2012, down WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 57 - 
 
  from 0.97 in 2009. Despite the encouraging trend,  the Republic of Moldova's energy efficiency 
performance was characterized as remaining among the worst in Europe.15  
4.18.  In May 2010, the Republic of Moldova became a contracting party to the Energy Community 
Treaty, thus formalizing a commitment to bring its energy sector in line with EU rules and 
practices. Specifically, the Republic of Moldova undertook to gradually implement the Energy 
Community acquis  comprising the core EU legislation on el ectricity, natural gas, renewable energy, 
energy efficiency, oil reserve stocks, protection of competition and the environment, and energy 
statistics. The Energy Community's long-term object ives are the creation of a single regulatory 
space and the establishment of a single energy ma rket, including an external energy trade policy 
and a mutual assistance mechanism.16 
4.19.  In June 2015, draft laws on electricity and natural gas were undergoing public hearing, and 
a draft law on promotion of renewable sources of energy was at the final stage of parliamentary 
approval. According to the authorities, the new body of legislation is aimed at implementing the Republic of Moldova's Energy Community commitments. The transposition of EU rules on 
unbundling for the natural gas market has been postponed until 1 January 2020. 
4.20.  Policy formulation in the energy sector is th e responsibility of the Ministry of Economy. The 
National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE), established in 1997, is the sectoral regulator 
vested with statutory independence. ANRE's comp etences include licensing of operators across the 
domestic supply chain
17, adoption of transmission and distribution tariff methodologies, setting of 
regulated tariffs, and quality-of-supply monitoring. To fulfil its Energy Community commitments, the Republic of Moldova still needs to give ANRE authority to conduct market investigations, 
implement measures to ensure proper market functioning, and impose penalties to non-compliant 
companies in the gas and electricity segments.  
4.21.  ANRE approves the tariffs for: generation, transmission, and end-user supply of electricity; 
transmission, distribution, and end-user supply of natural gas; and generation and end-user 
supply of district heating. Feed-in tariffs for renewable energy are set by ANRE on a case-by-case basis, upon request from potential producers. Th e IMF has recommended an adjustment of utility 
tariffs to cost-recovery levels to avoid further accumulation of arrears and encourage investment 
in the sector.
18 
4.22.  The Republic of Moldova's Energy Efficiency Agency (EEA)19, established in 2011, assists in 
the implementation of national policies for th e promotion of energy efficiency and renewable 
energy.20 EEA's responsibilities include accrediting ener gy auditors and supporting the granting of 
project funding from public sources, including the State and municipal budgets, and the Energy 
Efficiency Fund21 created in 2012. At end-2014, EEA had conducted 46 energy audits and 
authorized 40 energy auditors. According to the Energy Community Secretariat, notwithstanding 
some advances in establishing the institutional framework, the Republic of Moldova still fails to transpose the acquis  on energy efficiency and renewable energy.
22  
4.3.2  Electricity 
4.23.  In 2014, the Republic of Moldova's tota l installed capacity was 3,008 MW, of which some 
84% were attributable to a single thermal power plant located in Transnistria.23 Total installed 
                                               
15 International Energy Agency online information. Viewed at: 
http://www.iea.org/country/map_indicators/index.html# . 
16 Online information. Viewed at: http://www.energy-
community.org/portal/page/portal/ENC_HOME/EN ERGY_COMMUNITY/Legal/Treaty/About_the_Treaty . 
17 ANRE also issues import/export licences for re fined petroleum products, whereas the cross-border 
trade in natural gas and electricity is not subject to lice nsing; exploration and exploi tation licences for subsoil 
resources are outside ANRE's remit. In principle, no ownership or nationalit y restrictions are stipulated in the 
relevant licensing requirements. 
18 IMF (2014a). 
19 Government Decision No. 1173 of 21 December 2010. 
20 A National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (2013 – 2015) and a National Renewable Energy Action Plan 
(until 2020) were approved in February and December 2013, respectively. 
21 Government Decision No. 401 of 12 June 2012. 
22 Energy Community Secretariat (2014). 
23 Online information. Viewed at: http://www.mepiu.md/eng/energy-sector-1.html . WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 58 - 
 
  capacity outside Transnistria was 440 MW, with gas-fired power plants representing some 
380 MW.24 The predominantly thermal electricity generation system exacerbates the country's 
dependence on imports of hydrocarbons.  
4.24.  Electricity generated in Transnistria25 accounted for 63.2% of domestic demand outside that 
region in 2014; another 18% was met by imports. The Republic of Moldova's grid is in urgent need 
of modernization; the authorities estimate that up to 70% of the existing network equipment is obsolete. Technical and commercial losses represented some 9.7% of gross electricity feed in 
2014, down from 10.9% in 2013. Donors and government-to-government financing are the main 
sources of funding for infrastructure upgrades.  
4.25.  The Republic of Moldova used to import electricity mainly from Ukraine, but a supply 
shortage on the Ukrainian market prompted a switch to importing solely from Romania in 
November 2014. The existing infrastructure imposes capacity and other technical constraints at 
both borders. The Moldovan grid is in synchronous operation with that of Ukraine as a part of the integrated power system of most CIS countries; a joint application for integration into the 
European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) dates from 2006. 
Interconnection capacities between the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine are not open to competitive access. The Moldovan and Romanian grids remain interconnected in island mode, with 
technical limitations that continue to raise concerns about consumer captivity and the reliability of 
supply.
26  
4.26.  The electricity subsector comprises: a State-owned transmission system operator; three 
regional distribution and supply companies with public service obligations, two of which are 
State-owned; nine traders licensed to supply electricity at regulated tariffs, including a 
State-owned company (Energocom) with de facto  monopoly on electricity imports from Ukraine; 
three regulated and ten non-regulated co-generation plants; and six privileged renewable energy 
producers.27 According to the authorities, the State-owned enterprises in the subsector operate as 
self-sustaining business entities; they do not receive any State support. 
4.27.  While transmission system operations have been legally unbundled from generation and 
supply activities since 1997, the Republic of Moldov a has yet to comply with EU directives on the 
unbundling of distribution from supply (Third Energy  Package), and on system balancing. The right 
to choose electricity suppliers (purchase at unregulated prices) has been transposed in the domestic legislation, but its implementation has been held up by inappropriate distribution 
tariffs.
28 This delay prompted the Energy Community Secretariat to open an infringement 
proceeding against the Republic of Moldova in 2015. 
4.28.  The construction of new power plants is subject to Government authorisation whenever 
planned capacity exceeds 20 MW; below this thresh old, building authorisations are granted by 
local authorities. All generation facilities must also obtain ANRE's approval; detailed authorization procedures, in accordance with the Energy Community acquis , are yet to be adopted.  
4.3.3  Hydrocarbons 
4.29.  The Republic of Moldova is a net import er of hydrocarbons, mostly refined petroleum 
products and natural gas. Domestic reserves and production of oil and natural gas remain very modest
29; no exploration activities are carried out at present. A single refinery with annual 
capacity of approximately 35,000 tonnes processes lo cally-extracted oil; its total output for 2014 
                                               
24 Energy Community Secretariat (2014). 
25 According to the authorities, electricity sales from Transnistria take place on the non-regulated 
market. 
26 The authorities plan to establish a synchronous in terconnection with Romani a, while continuing to 
operate asynchronously with ENTSO-E for a transition period of 15-20 years; the project would require the 
installation of three back-to-back stations in the Republic of Moldova. 
27 Transnistria's separate subsector is composed of : a publicly-owned transmission system operator 
(involved in the transport of Transnistrian-generated and Ukranian-generated electricity to the Republic of Moldova); a publicly-owned distribu tion and supply operator; two co-g eneration plants; and one publicly-
owned hydro-power plant. 
28 Energy Community Secretariat (2014). 
29 Annual production of crude oil ranges between 10 and 16 thousand tonnes, and that of natural gas is 
between 150 and 250 thousand m3. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 59 - 
 
  was 248 tonnes of diesel fuel. Processing of import ed crude oil has not proven to be commercially 
viable.  
4.30.  Importers of refined petroleum products must obtain a licence from ANRE; the licensing 
requirements include: at least 5,000 m3 storage capacity (owned or leased) and equity of at least 
US$750,000. A separate licence is required for retail sales of petroleum products. In January 2015, 
there were 34 holders of import and wholesale licences, of which 10 were licensed only for liquefied gas; the corresponding figures for active retail sale licences were 151 and 71.  
4.31.  In principle, the refined petroleum products market is open to competition without any 
restrictions on foreign participation or any preferences for domestic production. While international price fluctuations are fully passed on to the domestic market (with a nine-month lag), the existing tariff-setting methodology caps retail companies' mark-ups at 10% of the wholesale price.  
4.32.  The Material Reserves Agency is required by law to maintain an emergency stock of 
petroleum products equal to 30 days of consumption, based on data from the previous year; no legal obligations of this kind apply to companies active in the subsector. The reserve stock may be 
used, inter alia , in the event of market disruptions. The Republic of Moldova has yet to harmonize 
the relevant release and reporting procedures with the Energy Community acquis .
30 The combined 
State and industry storage capacity for petroleum products is over 200,000 m3; no storage 
facilities for natural gas exist in the Republic of Moldova.  
4.33.  Two systems of several parallel pipelin es, with combined capacity of 35 billion m3/year, 
ensure the Republic of Moldova's natural gas suppl y from the Russian Federation (though Ukraine) 
and serve as transit routes to several European countries. The gas market remains a de facto  
monopoly of the vertically-integrated company Moldovagaz, which owns most of the infrastructure 
and performs import, wholesale and retail supply,  cross-border and national transmission, and 
distribution activities.31 The supply of natural gas is governed by a contract concluded between 
Moldovagaz and the Russian company Gazprom; the applicable price is set annually, as a function 
of the prices for gasoil and fuel oil, and the pr ice of natural gas exported by Gazprom to other 
European countries.32 Besides Moldovagaz, in June 2015 there were nine independent distribution 
and trading companies with a combined market share of 2%. In 2014, losses in domestic 
transmission and distribution were 0.2% and 3.3%, respectively. 
4.34.  A natural gas interconnection with Romania (Iasi–Ungheni), constructed mostly with EU and 
Romanian Government funding, was inaugurated in August 2014; it is intended to help the 
Republic of Moldova diversify its supply and challenge Moldovagaz's monopoly. The Iasi–Ungheni 
pipeline is owned and operated by the State-owned company Vestmoldtransgaz33; the import of 
natural gas is governed by a contract signed by Energocom, another State-owned company 
(section 4.3.2  ).34 Deliveries of natural gas to the Ungheni and Nisporeni districts (21 villages, 
some 10 thousand potential consumers) started in March 2015. To become commercially viable and operate near full capacity (1.5 billion m
3/year), the pipeline would need an extension 
(130 km) to Chisinau, the nearest major demand node; construction of a gas compressor station 
and auxiliary infrastructure in Romania would also be required.35 Due to different pressure levels, 
the new pipeline would initially operate in island mode (unconnected to the existing infrastructure). Moreover, consumer switching ma y be hampered by the accumulated debts along 
the existing supply chain.  
                                               
30 Energy Community Secretariat (2014). 
31 Molodovagaz's shareholders are: the Russian co mpany Gazprom (50%), the Republic of Moldova 
(35.33%), the Property Management Committee of Transn istria (13.44%), and physical persons (1.23%). As 
from 2005, the shares held by the Property Management Committee of Transnistria are managed by Gazprom. Viewed at: http://www.moldovagaz.md/menu/ru/about-company/mg-today . 
32 In 2014, Moldovagaz's debt to Gazprom amounted to more than US$5 billion; according to the 
authorities, some 87% of that amount was attributable to Transnistria. 
33 Government decision No. 501 of 1 July 2014. 
34 Energocom obtained a licence for natural gas supply (at non-regulated tariffs) in September 2014; in 
December 2014, it signed a contract with OMV Petrom Gaz SRL (Romania) for the delivery of approximately 
one million m3. 
35 Online information. Viewed at: http://www.naturalgaseurope.com/iasi-ungheni-gas-interconnector . WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 60 - 
 
  4.4  Services 
4.4.1  Financial services 4.35.  The Moldovan financial system is still underdeveloped, with a particularly shallow non-bank 
segment, which hampers the domestic economy's growth. Financial intermediation, as reflected by 
the ratio of the overall credit portfolio to GDP, was some 39.2% in 2014, down from 39.9% in 
2009 (Chart 4.4). Approximately half of total deposits and 40% of all loans remain foreign-currency denominated; both shares registered modest declines between 2009 and 2014. 
International development partners remain an important source of concessional funding for 
domestic credit expansion. A number of systemic weaknesses are yet to be addressed.  
4.36.  Banks continue to dominate the financial system, accounting for 93.7% of total assets, 
93.5% of all loans and 99.3% of all deposits in 2014. Most remaining financial sector assets are 
almost evenly split between the insurance and microfinance sub-segments (approximately 3% 
each). State participation in financial services has been diminishing; at end-2014, it consisted of a 33.4% share in the capital of one bank (down fr om 56.1% and 21% shares in two banks in 2009).  
4.37.  Most loans remain short- to medium-term, with bank lending focused mainly in retail trade 
and non-bank institutions offering predominantly consumer and agriculture credits. Loans granted to municipal administrations and institutions financed from the State budget account for a 
negligible share of the total credit portfolio. In  2014, the share of non-performing in total loans 
was 11.7% for banks, 10.2% for microfinance in stitutions, and 4.4% for savings and credit 
associations. During 2009-14, interest rate spreads between deposits and loans were in the range of 4.9 to 8.7 percentage points (domestic currenc y) and 3.4 to 6.5 percentage points (foreign 
currency), recording a general decline after 2010.  
Chart 4.4 Financial system indicators, 2009 and 2014 
(6.7)
(2.8)   (0.3)   (5.9) 
(2.5)   (0.2)   
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%Total assets/GDP
Total deposits/GDPTotal loan portfolio/GDP
2014 2009 
Note: Shaded areas indicate the resp ective foreign currency components. Figures in brackets indicate the 
part attributable to the non-banking segment. 
Source: National Bank of Moldova and Nati onal Commission for Financial Markets. 
4.38.  In the context of its Association Agreem ent with the EU, the Republic of Moldova has 
committed to a ten-year time-frame for the gradual approximation of its legislation on financial services to the EU regulatory framework. Accord ing to the authorities, the Association Agreement 
does not stipulate any GATS plus commitments in financial services. While the envisaged deadline 
is 1 September 2024, the authorities affirm their intention to transpose most provisions by 2017. 
4.4.1.1  Banking 4.39.  At end-December 2014, there were 14 active commercial banks in the Republic of Moldova, 
of which four were fully foreign-owned and the remaining 10 had some foreign participation; no 
representative offices of foreign banks were pres ent. Foreign equity accounted for 77.6% of total WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 61 - 
 
  authorized capital in the banking system, broadly the same as in 2009. The five largest banks 
accounted for 76.7% of total bank assets, with the biggest one's share standing at 20.6%.36  
4.40.  Foreign banks may enter the Moldovan market by establishing either a branch or a 
subsidiary; no foreign equity caps apply. Foreign banks may also open unlicensed representative 
offices, which are not allowed to conduct direct financial activity in the Republic of Moldova. 
Foreign payment services institutions may conduct business through a branch office in the Republic of Moldova.  
4.41.  The National Bank of Moldova (NBM) is in charge of licensing and prudential supervision in 
the banking segment; it also acts as the Government's fiscal agent on the Government securities market and authorises certain foreign exchange operations involving capital outflows from the Republic of Moldova (section 1.1). The NBM issues  licences to commercial banks, payment services 
providers, and foreign exchange offices an d bureaux (including those of hotels).  
4.42.  The licensing requirements for banks incl ude minimum thresholds fo r tier one capital and 
risk-weighted capital adequacy; the respective th resholds were raised to MDL 200 million at 
end-December 2012 (from MDL 100 million in 2008) and 16% at end-July 2012 (from 12%).
37 As 
from October 2013, the NBM conducts a more thorough assessment of the fitness and properness of potential investors before authorizing the establishment of new banks and significant equity 
acquisitions in existing banks.
38 The licensing of payment service providers and currency exchange 
institutions39 is subject to conditions on equity, risk management, and administrators. According to 
the authorities, the licensing requirements are of prudential nature, essentially aimed at ensuring 
the Moldovan financial system's integrity and stability, and apply uniformly to all institutions 
regulated by the NBM.40  
4.43.  The authorities affirm that the current prudential framework for banks is largely in line with 
the first generation of Basel Committee principles known as Basel I, which are less sophisticated 
than those set out in the second and third generations; efforts to implement Basel II/III are 
underway. As from January 2012, all licensed banks are required to comply with the financial reporting standards developed by the European  Committee for Banking Supervision; as from 
April 2014, their consolidated annual reports must be based on the international financial reporting 
standards. 
4.44.  Notwithstanding steps taken to strengthen bank regulation and supervision overt the past 
ten years, the IMF has reiterated concerns about significant risks to systemic financial stability. 
The Fund's assessment has flagged weaknesses in the existing prudential and crisis management 
frameworks, as well as poor bank governance and the fragile condition of some large banks; the accuracy of reported bank performance indicators  has also been questioned. The enforcement of 
regulatory requirements may still be undermined by inconsistencies in the legal framework, 
unclear division of responsibilities across institutions and inadequate legal protection of NBM staff for actions warranted in the execution of their of ficial duties. In addition, the NBM continues to 
struggle with the identification of banks' exposures to related parties, for lack of effective tools to 
ensure bank ownership transparency.
41 Concerns over transparency and governance have also 
prompted the EBRD to reduce its financing of th e Moldovan banking segment from over €40 million 
in 2010 to about €10 million in 2014.42 
4.45.  The NBM has granted lines of credit to some banks with a view to protecting the integrity of 
the banking system. A credit line in the amount  of MDL 650 million was established for one 
licensed bank in 2009; the applicable interest rate was fixed at 0.01% and the loaned funds were 
guaranteed with Government securities. In the fourth quarter of 2014, the NBM provided 
                                               
36 According to the legislation in force, a bank is cons idered to be in a dominant position if its share in 
total bank assets exceeds 30%; this provision appears to  be binding on any interventions of the Competition 
Council activities in the banking segment. 
37 National Bank of Moldova Decision No. 269 of 17 October 2001 and its subsequent amendments. 
38 National Bank of Moldova Decision No. 127 of 27 June 2013. 
39 Currency exchange must be the licensee's sole activity. 
40 The NBM's licensing decisions are notified within  three months for banks,  within two months for 
payment institutions, and within 15 working days  for foreign exchange offices and bureaux. 
41 IMF (2014b). 
42 EBRD online information. Viewed at: http://www.ebrd.com/news/2015/ebrd-delegation-visits-
moldova.html . WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 62 - 
 
  emergency short-term loans43 to three banks and placed them under special administration for a 
nine-month period (extendable for another three months); the banks' credit activities were suspended. At the time of its intervention, th e three banks accounted for 38.5% of total bank 
assets, 12.5% of total Tier I Capital, 10.3% of tota l bank credits, and 17.7% of total deposits from 
individuals. At end-December 2014, licensed banks'  credit indebtedness to the NBM amounted to 
MDL 6,548.6 million, including short-term emergenc y credits (MDL 6,450 million), credits for the 
protection of the banking system's integrity (MDL 93.1 million), and credits for the construction of 
housing by cooperative societies (MDL 5.5 million).
44 
4.4.1.2  Non-bank savings and credit institutions (NBSCIs) 4.46.  The National Commission for Financial Markets (NCFM) regulates and supervises most 
non-bank financial services segments, including NBSCIs, the securities market, the insurance 
market, non-State pension funds, and "credit history bureaux". The NCFM was established in 
August 2007 as the successor of the National Se curities Commission, the State Inspection for 
Insurance and Non-State Pension Funds Supervision, and the State Supervisory Service of Savings 
and Loan Associations under the Ministry of Finance.
45  
4.47.  The NCFM is in charge of licensing savi ngs and credit associations (SCAs), as well as 
monitoring microfinance organizations (MFOs) for statistical purposes. Leasing activities remain 
neither licensed nor supervised. The authorities affirm that there are plans to bring both 
microcredit and leasing activities under stricter regulatory scrutiny by the NCFM. The Republic of 
Moldova does not have legislation for offshore financial institutions. Recent legislative developments include the adoption of amendm ents aimed at clarifying the mechanism for 
appealing the NCFM's regulatory and supervisory decisions.
46  
4.48.  At end-2014, the NBSCIs under NCFM supervision comprised: 305 SCAs, including two 
central associations, and 101 microfinance organizations.47 MFOs accounted for 85.2% of 
non-bank lending and 85.9% of NBSCI assets. The three largest MFOs (by assets) accounted for 
34.2% of the total non-bank loan portfolio.  
4.4.1.3  Securities market 
4.49.  The Republic of Moldova's capital market is still embryonic, with trading taking place only in 
shares and bonds; trading mechanisms for derivatives and Government bonds (secondary market) are yet to be implemented.
48 During the review period, over-the-counter (off-exchange) deals 
related to the privatisation process accounted for some 60% of all transactions. In 2014, the 
turnover and market capitalization of the Mo ldova Stock Exchange were MDL 708.6 million and 
MDL 4,570.8 million, respectively (broadly unchanged relative to 2009).49 Foreign investments 
accounted for 56.6% of the volume traded between 2010 and 2014. 
4.50.  The Republic of Moldova has taken steps to align its legislation governing primary and 
secondary capital market activities with the EU legal framework. A new Capital Market Law, in force since September 2013, transposed most of the relevant EU directives, including the Markets 
in Financial Instruments Directive (2004/39/EC), and the Transparency for Listed Companies 
Directive (2004/109/EC).
50 An amendment to the Capital Market Law, aimed at strengthening the 
legal framework, was approved in July 201451; IMF recommendations for the consolidation of 
                                               
43 The credit lines established for the three banks amounted to MDL 9,434.5 million, of which 
MDL 6,450 million were utilized in State-guaran teed loans at preferential interest rates. 
44 Loans for the financing of housing construction by  cooperative societies have been granted to five 
licensed banks. 
45 Law No. 129-XVI of 7 June 2007. 
46 Law No. 136 of 3 July 2015. 
47 Neither SCAs nor MFOs are allowed to lend in foreign currency. MFOs and SCAs of "category A" 
(membership restricted to individuals only) are not allowed to operate as deposit-taking financial institutions. 
48 The NCFM approved a concept mechanism for the tr ading of Government secu rities (with maturity 
greater than 1 year) in December 2013 and set out the co nditions for traders' admission to the government 
securities market in a Regulation adopted in March 2014. 
49 The review period was marked by the entry and ex it of a second stock exchange, the Chisinau Stock 
Exchange, which was closed in March 2015. 
50 Law No. 171 of 11 July 2012. 
51 Law No. 180 of 25 July 2014. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 63 - 
 
  depository functions were not fully taken into account. The NCFM is currently drafting the 
secondary legislation, which would regulate, inter alia , investment companies, undertakings for 
collective placements, the Investors Compensation Fund, public offers, takeover bids, and capital 
market infrastructure.  
4.51.  There are no restrictions on foreign portfolio investment in the Republic of Moldova. 
Admission to perform professional activities on the Moldovan securities market is conditional on compliance with legal requirements for minimum social capital and guarantee provisions. Legal 
persons incorporated and authorized to carry out investment activities in a EU jurisdiction may 
obtain the status of "accepted persons", enabling them to carry out the same activities through branches in the Republic of Moldova without th e need to obtain a licence from the NCFM.  
4.52.  As at April 2015, there were 19 companies (including 9 commercial banks) operating as 
investment firms; 12 register firms; and 3 securities evaluation companies. There were also 
18 investment funds in liquidation, half of which in compulsory liquidation. 
4.4.1.4  Insurance 
4.53.  In March 2015, the Moldovan insurance market comprised 15 insurance companies (one 
composite, one life and 13 non-life insurers), 76 insurance brokers, 168 insurance agents (as legal persons), and the National Motor Insurers Bureau.
52 In 2014, gross premiums written amounted to 
MDL 1,203.6 million, up from MD L 816.5 million in 2009. Non-life insurance accounted for some 
93.7% of total premiums during 2009-14, the main classes being compulsory and voluntary motor vehicle insurance; reinsurance premiums amounted to MDL 24.6 million during 2010-14. Market concentration remains elevated, with the five largest insurance companies accounting for some 
72.5% of gross premiums written in 2014.
53  
4.54.  There are three types of compulsory insura nce in the Republic of Moldova: internal third 
party motor liability insurance, external motor liability insurance ("Green Card"), and liability 
insurance of carriers towards the passengers. Insurers licensed to provide internal (or both 
internal and external) compulsory motor liability insurance become members of the National Motor Insurers Bureau; they are also required to contribute to a Street Victims Protection Fund an 
amount proportional to their share of total premiums from compulsory insurance.
54  
4.55.  The Republic of Moldova's schedule of serv ices commitments does not contain any specific 
limitations on market access and national treatment for the provision of insurance and insurance-related services.
55 According to the authorities, insurance activities can only be 
performed by Moldovan-incorporated joint-stock companies licensed by the NCFM; foreign 
investors may enter the Moldovan insurance market through (partial or full) acquisition of an existing insurance company or incorporation of a new one.
56 There are no statutory limitations on 
either the type or the location of risks that companies may insure; no ownership-based limitations 
are applied on the type of services that may be offered. Insurers may offer both life and non-life insurance, on the condition of accounting separation of the two activities. 
4.56.  The minimum social capital required for the licensing of non-life insurers is MDL 15 million; 
the thresholds for provision of life insura nce and reinsurance are MDL 22.5 million and 
MDL 30 million, respectively. Licensed insurance companies must also comply with prudential requirements on liquidity, solvency and the diversification of technical reserves. Insurers may 
insure risks worth up to 25% of the sum of their equity and technical reserves; they are not 
allowed to transfer in reinsurance contracted abroad more than 80% of the amount of the underlying insurance obligation. The NCFM is in the process of developing by-laws with a view to 
                                               
52 The National Motor Insurers Bureau handles motor vehicle insurance claims for accidents that have 
taken place outside Moldova. 
53 Higher social capital requirements for insurance companies, implemented in July 2012, triggered a 
process of consolidation. 
54 The Street Victims Protection Fund has been es tablished to protect pers ons injured in accidents 
caused by vehicles whose owners did not have  the compulsory motor liability insurance. 
55 WTO document GATS/SC/134, 21 December 2001. 
56 In 2014, non-residents owned some 26.5% of the total share capital of Moldovan-incorporated 
insurance companies. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 64 - 
 
  transposing the solvency requirements in place in  the EU, making reserve requirements a function 
of asset quality, and implementing risk-based supervision.  
4.57.  As per the Law on insurance57, insurers are required to make contributions to a National 
Insurance Guarantee Fund designed to cover compensation payments in case of insurer 
insolvency. In June 2015, the legislation governin g the establishment, administration and use of 
the Fund was awaiting parliamentary approval. 
4.4.2  Communication services 
4.58.  The Republic of Moldova's electronic co mmunications market expanded steadily between 
2009 and 2014, with providers' total revenues increasing to MDL 6.8 billion and the number of subscribers reaching 6.67 million. While mobile telephony continued to account for more than half of total revenues and subscriptions, the highest rates of growth and average revenue per user 
were registered in broadband data transmission  (both the fixed-line and mobile segments). 
Broadband services have significant potential to grow further, as suggested by the relatively low penetration rates (Chart 4.5) and indicators of latent demand in the Republic of Moldova.
58  
4.59.  Notwithstanding a general decline in the la rgest providers' market shares, most electronic 
communications segments remained fairly concentrated, in particular fixed-line telephony, (Chart 4.5) during the review period, reflecting lags in  the enforcement of legal provisions and the need 
to implement additional pro-competitive measures. 
Chart 4.5 Penetration and concentration by market segment, 2009 and 2014 
020406080100120140
  Fixed-line telephony     Mobile telephony    Fixed-line
broadband     Dedicated mobile
broadbandSubscriptions per 100  inhabitants, 2009
Market share of top 3 providers, 2009Subscriptions per 100  inhabitants, 2014
Market share of top 3 providers, 2014
a(19)
(61)(3)(24)
(50)(3) (3) (3)
 
a Excluding internet traffic as an addition to mobile voice service. 
Note: Shaded areas indicate the largest provider's sh are of the entire correspon ding market. Figures in 
brackets indicate the total number of active providers in that year. 
Source: National Regulatory Agen cy for Electronic Communicatio ns and Information Technology. 
4.60.  The State retains full ownership of the incumbent postal services operator Posta Moldovei, 
the incumbent broadcasting operator Radiocomunica ţii, and the incumbent fixed-telephony 
operator Moldtelecom, which is also active on the mobile telephony segment through its subsidiary 
Unité. These State-owned companies' respective market shares are as follows: fixed telephony, 94.1%; fixed-line broadband, 63.8%; mobile telephony, 3.6%; mobile broadband, 27.6%; pay TV, 26.3%; TV and radio broadcasting, 25.6%; and postal services (letters up to 2kg), 100%. 
Moldtelecom offers a subsidized fixed-line telephony package to certain social groups, including 
disabled people and war invalids.  
                                               
57 Law No. 407 of 21 December 2006. 
58 In 2014, some 67% of the Moldovan population we re using the internet, whereas the corresponding 
figures for subscribers of fixed and mobile broa dband remained below 15%  and 34%, respectively. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 65 - 
 
  4.61.  The Ministry of Information Technology and Communications (MITC) formulates and 
promotes State policy for the information society. MITC is in charge of, inter alia,  defining 
information society development programmes; elaborating legislation and standards in the areas of computerization, telecommunications and mail; and coordinating the elaboration of the National 
Frequency Plan. MITC is also responsible for the enforcement of technical regulations for 
telecommunications equipment. 
4.62.  The National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information 
Technology (ANRCETI) supervises and regulates electronic communication activities in the Republic 
of Moldova. Its responsibilities include extrajudicial dispute resolution
59, as well as defining quality 
of service parameters and monitoring compliance. ANRCETI keeps the Public Register of Providers operating under the general authorization regime (see below), and grants licences for the use of 
scarce resources (telephone numbers and spectrum) and authorizations for the provision of 
information technology services of State importance; it also issues technical permits for radio communications stations.  
4.63.  ANRCETI carries out periodic analyses of  certain markets with a view to identifying 
operators with significant market power (SMP) and imposing on them obligations that would level the playing field.
60 Specifically, ANRCETI approves the interconnection and wholesale tariff-setting 
methodologies, as well as the end-user tariffs (a fter consultations with the Government), of SMP 
providers and, whenever necessary, imposes addition al requirements on their conduct in order to 
prevent discriminatory practices or refusal of access. In 2010-11, ANRCETI designated providers 
with SMP on one retail and eight wholesale markets; the second round of market analyses, in 
2013, confirmed all nine previously-identified rele vant markets, expanded one market definition 
and designated 11 additional SMP providers. At end-November 2013, there were 27 providers with 
SMP on at least one relevant telecommunications market; only the State-owned incumbent, 
Moldtelecom, was deemed to have SMP on all nine relevant markets.61  
4.64.  All telecommunications operators are requir ed to pay regulatory and monitoring fees to 
ANRCETI at the rate of 0.3% of their revenue s from electronic communications services. The 
proceeds from these fees finance ANRCETI's ac tivities. In addition, mobile providers must 
contribute 2.5% of their mobile telephony revenue to a Social Support Fund managed by the Ministry of Labour. 
4.65.  ANRCETI's enforcement powers remain hampered by deficiencies, including in its authority 
to carry out ex officio  investigations and to impose deterring penalties (presently, the maximum 
fine is about €500).
62 Moreover, the legislation in force enables operators to use the appeals 
mechanism as a means to delay implementation of ANRCETI's decisions. 
4.66.  According to the authorities, the Republic of Moldova has respected all specific commitments 
in telecommunication services assumed upon its accession to the WTO, including those spelled out in the Reference Paper on regulatory principles for basic telecommunications services.
63 Entry in 
the electronic communications market has been liberalized as from 1 January 2004.64 The legal 
framework for recognising electronic contracts and signatures has been in force since 2004.65 The 
opening up of the electronic communications market has been complemented with gradual (voluntary) alignment of the Moldovan legal and regulatory framework to the one applied in the 
EU. Legislative harmonization has been carried out on the basis of EU directives on: access and 
interconnection (2002/19/EC); authorization of networks and services (2002/20/EC); regulatory framework (2002/21/EC); and universal service (2002/22/EC).
66 Nevertheless, delays in the 
                                               
59 ANRCETI hears disputes upon request from any of th e parties; it has the right to make its decisions 
binding on the parties to the dispute. 
60 The Electronic Communications Law mandates ANRCETI to analyse biannually nine relevant markets 
"susceptible to ex-ante regulation"; the retail mobi le telephony and broadcasti ng services markets are 
excluded. The definition of significan t market power is based on a market  share threshold of 35% and ANRCETI 
assessing the relevant market as  "not effectively competitive". 
61 ANRCETI online information. Viewed at: http://en.anrceti.md/node/98 . 
62 EBRD (2012). 
63 WTO document GATS/SC/134, 21 December 2001. 
64 Law No. 1134-XV of 14 June 2002 amending and supplementing Law No. 520-XIII of 7 July 1995. 
65 Law No. 264-XV of 15 July 2004, as amended by Law No. 91 of 29 May 2014. 
66 Law on Electronic Communications No. 241-XVI of 15 November 2007. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 66 - 
 
  adoption of implementing regulations continue to cause enforcement lags in some areas, such as 
universal service obligations.67  
4.67.  Under the Republic of Moldova's general authorization regime, in force since 
September 2008, a natural or legal person can pr ovide public electronic communications networks 
and/or services on the basis of a simple notifi cation to ANRCETI. The authorization is granted 
automatically (within seven days), free of charge, and for an unlimited term. At end-December 2014, the Public Register of elec tronic communications providers contained 531 
authorized entities, up from 417 at end-2009. En try of virtual mobile operators by commercial 
agreement has been possible, in principle, since 2010 but none has appeared to date. Consumers' switching costs remained a significant barrier to  entry until July and August 2013 when number 
portability became operational in mobile and fixed-line telephony, respectively.
68 Technology-
neutral licences for mobile telephony and data transmission were issued for the first time in 2014. 
4.68.  Contestability on the Moldovan telecomm unications market could be strengthened further 
by implementing: national mobile roaming; retail tariff rebalancing of the incumbent 
fixed-telephony operator (eliminating cross-subsidization); carrier pre-selection; and access to 
communications networks' associated infrastructure (shared use).69 
4.69.  Electronic communications equipment can be imported, sold for use, or installed in the 
Republic of Moldova only with a declaration of conformity issued on the sole responsibility of the 
manufacturer or the importer. The declaration must be based on the manufacturer's technical documentation or on a certificate of conformity issued by an accredited and recognized certification body, such as the State enterprise National Radiofrequency Center. The Republic of 
Moldova recognizes certificates of conformity and test reports issued by signatories of the 
Multilateral Agreement of the European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA MLA). 
4.70.  In its GATS commitments on postal servic es, the Republic of Moldova has reserved for the 
national postal services operator, Posta Moldovei, the monopoly on international postal services 
and internal postal services related to letters up to 350 grammes (CPC5711); Posta Moldovei was 
also to have a monopoly on post office counter services (CPC75113) until 31 December 2004.
70 In 
practice, the incumbent retains a monopoly on international and internal delivery of letters up to 
two kilogrammes; its monopoly on post office counter services also seems to remain in force.71 
Posta Moldovei fulfils universal service obligations for: collection, sorting, transportation and delivery of dispatches (parcels) weighing up to ten kilogrammes; delivery of parcels sent from 
abroad weighing up to 20 kilogrammes; registered mail (letters) with declared value; and internal 
and international postal payments.
72 
4.4.3  Transport 
4.71.  The Republic of Moldova's small, landlocked territory and predominantly flat terrain are 
natural preconditions for the emergence of road  and railroad as the main modes of transport 
(Chart 4.6). Air traffic has been on the rise and is  expected to expand further, as the Republic of 
Moldova gradually integrates into the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA). Since 2009, small 
maritime vessels have been able to call at the Moldovan port of Giurgiulesti, fostering the rapid development of the port complex and the steady growth of cargo handling volumes.  
4.72.  Due to inadequate funding, the Moldovan  transport infrastructure has been generally 
declining since the late 1980s. Although efforts to reverse this trend have intensified in recent 
years, further reforms and significant investments are still required to address the relatively high transportation costs and low journey speeds, and to improve safety conditions.  
                                               
67 Harmonization with directives 2002/58/EC, 2009/136/EC and 2009/140/EC, by 2016, is envisaged in 
a National action plan for the implementation of the Association Agreement with the EU (Government Decision No. 88 of 7 October 2014). 
68 Some 66,235 numbers were ported between July 2013 and December 2014; mobile numbers 
accounted for about 90.7% of that total. 
69 EBRD (2012). 
70 WTO document GATS/SC/134, 21 December 2001. 
71 A draft law for liberalization of letter delivery, retaining the incumbent's monopoly on letters up to 
350 grams is awaiting parliamentary approval. 
72 Law No.463-XIII of 18 May 1995. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 67 - 
 
  4.73.  The Republic of Moldova's GATS commitments73 on transport services cover the vast 
majority of subsectors, as per the Services Sectoral Classification List; although no limitations on market access or national treatment are stipulated therein for the first three modes of supply, several statutory and de facto  monopolies remain in place. Road cabotage remains reserved for 
Moldovan-registered vehicles. The legal framework governing transport services is listed in 
Table A2.1.  
Chart 4.6 Freight and passenger transport, 2009 and 2013 
Railway
17.0%
Road
82.3%River
0.7%
Air
0.003%
Railway
15.2%
Road
84.3%River
0.5%
Air
0.004%
Total: 35,674.1
(thousand tonnes) 2009 2013
Total: 25,988.5 
(thousand tonnes)
 
Railway
1.8% Road
98.0%
River, 0.04%
Air, 0.2%Railway
1.8%Road
97.9%
River,0.05
%
Air, 0.3%
Total: 239,045
(thousand  passengers) Railway
1.7%Road
97.9%
River, 0.05% 
Air , 0.3%
Total: 237.1
(million  passengers) Total: 291.8 
(million passengers) 
Note: Excluding passenger and cargo tra ffic through the port of Giurgiulesti. 
Source: Statistical yearbook of the Republic of Moldova (2013)  and data provided by the authorities. 
4.74.  The Ministry of Transport and Road Infrastruc ture (MTRI) is in charge of policy formulation 
and the adoption of standards and technical regu lations for all modes of transport. MTRI also 
elaborates proposals for regulated tariffs, which must be approved by the Government; regulated 
tariffs are in place for air navigation and airport services, as well as for road (passenger) and 
railway transport. In its regulatory initiatives, the Ministry receives inputs from relevant line agencies and public institutions. State funding for transport infrastructure is set annually by 
Government decisions, on the basis of work programmes prepared by MTRI and approved by 
Parliament. 
                                               
73 WTO document GATS/SC/134, 21 December 2001. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 68 - 
 
  4.75.  The Republic of Moldova applies VAT at zero rate to international transportation; domestic 
passenger transportation services are VAT-exempt. Two strategic infrastructure facilities, namely 
the Giurgiulesti International Free Port (GIFP) and the Marculesti International Free Airport (MIFA), have been granted special incentives, broadly similar to those applied to FEZs (section 3.3.5). 
Unlike FEZs, GIFP and MIFA are subject neither to  zonal tax nor to limitations on the types of 
activities allowed therein. In addition, GIFP is exempted from the provisions of Moldovan 
legislation on competition and natural monopolies , and benefits from preferential income tax 
treatment (25% of the national rate for the first 10 years and 50%, like FEZs, thereafter); no 
income tax reduction applies to MIFA. 
4.4.3.1  Road 4.76.  The Moldovan public road network is State-owned; MTRI currently manages 9,344 km of 
public roads, whereas 1,200 km in Transnistria are managed by the local government. In 2014, 
some 47% of the 3,336 km classified as national roads were in poor to bad condition; the corresponding figure for local roads (total length of 6,008 km) was 62%. Although repairs and 
maintenance operations on certain priority corridors have intensified since 2010, access to rural 
areas remains problematic.  
4.77.  The State Road Administration (SRA), a State enterprise  under the authority of MTRI, is 
responsible for road construction, rehabilitation, maintenance and safety; it manages all funding 
for Moldovan roads, including the national Road Fund
74 and any outlays from the State budget. 
Road maintenance funding increased from MDL 583 million in 2010 to MDL 1,116 million in 2014. All road maintenance and rehabilitation works are carried out by companies in which the State has 
a majority stake.
75 Although under no formal obligation, SRA has been awarding some road 
maintenance contracts through competitive tendering since 2012. 
4.78.  International road transport is regula ted through bilateral agreements signed with 
34 countries and 10 international conventions to which the Republic of Moldova is a party. Since 
2008, the control of international vehicle traffic on  Moldovan territory is the responsibility of 
Moldovan Customs. According to the Customs Co de, transit through the Republic of Moldova 
should not take more than eight days; this period is extendable in certain cases.76 The 
International Association of Road Haulers of the Republic of Moldova (Asocia ţia Interna ţionala a 
Transportatorilor Auto, AITA), a private entity established in 1992, is responsible for issuing and guaranteeing TIR carnets in the Republic of Moldova. AITA membership is a prerequisite for 
obtaining a TIR carnet.  
4.79.  The National Road Transport Agency
77 (ANTA) is responsible for ensuring compliance with 
traffic regulations and requirements, including on professional competence certification of staff in 
road transport and related services, vehicles' technical condition, and working and driving hours. 
ANTA issues authorizations for the provision of road transport services to carriers licensed by the Licensing Chamber under the Ministry of Econom y. In principle, road transport licences are 
awarded on equal terms, without regard to the a pplicants' nationality. Regular passenger transport 
services are awarded on a competitive basis by an inter-ministerial commission (intercity and 
international routes) or by the municipal governments (urban routes).  
4.80.  The State enterprise Railway Stations and Auto Stations (Î.S. G ările şi Staţiile Auto) had a 
monopoly on passenger ticket sales until 2014. The entry into force of a new Road Transport 
Code
78 eliminated the monopoly, requiring only that private operators link up their ticket sales 
systems to the one of the State enterprise. In June 2015, there were six privately-owned bus 
terminals and 26 owned by Railway Stations and Auto Stations. 
                                               
74 The Moldovan Government allocated to the Ro ad Fund 50%, 65% and 80% of the revenue from 
excise taxes on fuel, in budget years 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively. 
75 The Republic of Moldova completed a process of  consolidation, reduci ng the number of road 
maintenance companies from 35 to 11, in 2014. The author ities affirm that these companies are slated for 
privatization. 
76 Customs Order No. 288-0 of 20 December 2005. 
77 Government Decision No. 539 of 23 April 2008. 
78 Law No. 150 of 17 July 2014. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 69 - 
 
  4.81.  The fares for domestic passenger transport are subject to government-regulated price 
ceilings.79 Since 2014, privilege (reduced) fares are financed by direct payments to the 
beneficiaries from their employers or the competent social assistance bodies, as appropriate. The fares for international passenger transport are set by the carriers, subject to approval by MTRI. 
4.82.  The Republic of Moldova is a party to the European Agreement concerning the Work of 
Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport (AETR) since 1993. The 2014 Road Transport Code introduced AETR-compliant provisions for the use of digital tachographs; the 
relevant implementing regulations, including on accreditation and control mechanisms are 
expected to be adopted by end-2015.  
4.83.  The Moldovan vehicle fleet is progressively  aging and shifting towards a predominance of 
minibuses, with adverse effects on passenger safety, road traffic and the environment. The 
authorities estimate that, in December 2014, approximately 70% of vehicles used in passenger 
transportation were more than 10 years old. Post-independence carrier fragmentation and lax enforcement have undermined compliance with pr udential standards for technical operation and 
maintenance.
  
4.84.  No companies with State participation are involved in freight and non-urban passenger 
transport. Interurban bus services, comprising  some 3,000 national and some 200 international 
routes, are, in principle, open to competition. Two State-owned passenger carriers in the 
municipality of Chisinau (M.E. "Electric transpor t division" and M.E. "Urb an bus fleet") compete 
with 19 private companies.  
4.4.3.2  Fluvial 
4.85.  Harbour Master Giurgiulesti (Capitania Portului Giurgiulesti, CPG), a public institution 
overseen by MTRI, is responsible for implementing Moldovan legislation on fluvial transport; it exercises State control over ports, inland waterway s, and navigation safety. In addition to CPG, 
MTRI oversees the State-owned enterprises in ch arge of the Naval Register, the Molovata ferry 
boat service, River Port Ungheni, and River Port Bender.  
4.86.  The Republic of Moldova has two potentially navigable inland waterways (sections of the 
rivers Prut and Dniester); in 2014, the authorities launched riverbed desilting works with a view to 
revitalize their use. During the review period, all inland waterway transport was carried out by 
State-owned enterprises. 
4.87.  Following a land swap agreement with Ukraine, reached in 1998, the Republic of Moldova 
gained direct access to the Danube river, which fostered the development of the port of 
Giurgiulesti. The port complex consists of: a passenger terminal and cargo berth on the river Prut, operated by the State-owned enterprise River Port  Ungheni; and the privately built and operated 
Giurgiulesti International Free Port (GIFP), comprising five terminals on the intersection of the 
Danube and Prut rivers, as well as a business park. With berth depths of up to seven metres, the 
port complex is capable of receiving small maritime vessels, thus providing indirect access to 
international seaborne trade. Goods weighing so me 1,083,506 tons were handled at the port of 
Giurgiulesti in 2014, up from 67,953 tons in 2009.
80 
4.88.  With a view to stimulating investment in a facility deemed essential for the Republic of 
Moldova's energy and transport security, as well as for the expansion of international trade, GIFP 
has been granted a status similar to that of a FEZ until 2030 (see above).81 The general investor in 
GIFP has signed a land lease agreement with the Moldovan Government for a period of 99 years. The use of GIFP's towage assistance and pilotage services is compulsory for maritime vessels 
entering the entire port complex. According to the authorities, this requirement is part of the port 
rules, which are set jointly by GIFP and CPG. The fees for entry of vessels into Moldovan ports are set by the Government; the fee for entry into GIFP is approximately 10 times lower than that for 
entry into the State-operated part of the port complex. 
                                               
79 Order No. 231 of 22 October 2013. 
80 These figures are not included in the transport statis tics compiled by the National Bureau of Statistics 
of the Republic of Moldova. 
81 Law No. 8-XV of 17 February 2005. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 70 - 
 
  4.89.  In 2015, there were around 300 ships under Moldovan flag. Moldovan-registered vessels are 
frequently refused access to ports covered by the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, essentially the waters of the European coast and the North Atlantic basin, for failure to comply with safety requirements stipulated in  international maritime conventions. The Republic 
of Moldova was among the flag states with the highest number of vessel bans over 2010-13.
82 
4.4.3.3  Railway 4.90.  The entire railway transport segment in the Republic of Moldova is exclusive public 
property; assets directly involved in transpor tation and/or repair works are not subject to 
privatization.
83 Moldovan Railways (Calea Ferat ă din Moldova, CFM), a State enterprise established 
in 1993, is the integrated operator of this segment.84 CFM holds a monopoly on, inter alia , freight 
and passenger services; it is also in charge of the Moldovan railroad network (west of the river 
Dniester), which is reserved exclusively for CFM locomotives.85 Although still on CFM's balance 
sheet, railway assets located in Transnistria are de facto  outside its control since 2004. The State 
enterprise Railway Stations and Auto Stations (Î.S. G ările şi Staţiile Auto) operates all railway 
passenger terminals and has a monopoly on ticket sales. There is no independent railway safety 
authority.  
4.91.  Moldovan railroads and rolling stock remain, for the most part, an inheritance from a larger 
Soviet-era system, which was established withou t regard to present-day borders and transport 
demand trends. Two new railway sections, with a combined length of 93.4 km, were built in 2005 and 2008, respectively.
86 At present, railroad connections between certain Moldovan cities involve 
transit through neighbouring countries; railway services involving Transnistria are limited to transit 
through that territory. The existing infrastructure's limitations, coupled with constraints arising 
from the poor technical condition and management of CFM's rolling stock, make it difficult to respond to peaks in demand, particularly for freight services.  
4.92.  In 2015, the total length of the network managed by CFM was 1,157 km, of which some 
99% were broad gauge; interconnections with Romania (except the link with the port of Giurgiulesti) require a break-of-gauge, increasing costs and journey times. The entire network 
remains non-electrified and, apart from some 75.2 km, is single-track (no simultaneous two-way 
traffic); due to poor maintenance and outdated safety mechanisms, the railways' design speeds 
are rarely attainable.
87  
4.93.  The CFM fleet remains misaligned to present-day demand for transportation and, for the 
most part, is near the end of its economic life; its poor technical condition undermines service 
reliability and raises operating costs. Apart fr om the purchase of 18 passenger wagons in 2002, 
the fleet has not been expanded since CFM's establishment; some 1,276 wagons were repaired 
during 2003-14 with a view to extending their life cycle.88 In January 2015, the rolling stock's 
average age was as follows: suburban trains, 29.5 years89; locomotives, 35 years; freight wagons, 
37.5 years; and passenger trains, 28 years.  
4.94.  All CFM tariffs are regulated by the Government; in principle, tariff-setting is done on the 
basis of proposals elaborated by MTRI in consultation with CFM. International freight (including transit through Moldova) and passenger tariffs are set in accordance with the relevant Coordinated Tariff Policy Agreements of the Organisation for Co-operation between Railways (OSJD) and the 
Council for Railway Transport (CRT) of CIS States. CFM does not operate any routes under public 
service obligation arrangements; travel discounts apply to certain groups of passengers (World 
                                               
82 The Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (2013). 
83 Laws No. 309-XV of 17 July 2003 and No. 121-XVI of 4 May 2007. 
84 In January 2012, CFM's internal structure was aligned to its three core functional areas: 
infrastructure, freight and passenger transport. However, this reorganization did not involve asset and 
accounting separation, thus limit ing any improvements in performan ce control and tariff-setting. 
85 Government Decision No. 582 of 17 August 1995. 
86 CFM received co-financing from the state budget in the amount of MDL 328 million. 
87 In January 2015, approximately 30% of all railway  tracks and some 78% of control systems were 
deemed in critically bad condition by the authorities. 
88 The legislation in force does not prohibit private ownership of rolling stock; some 311 wagons were 
privately-owned in January 2015. 
89 All suburban trains have exceeded their standard lifetime. WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 71 - 
 
  War II veterans).90 By and large, domestic passenger tariffs are kept below operating costs 
through internal cross-subsidization. During 2008-15, both the freight and passenger services were unprofitable; CFM's losses were offset by re venue from transactions with foreign carriers, 
essentially leasing and repairs of rolling stock.  
4.4.3.4  Air 
4.95.  During most of the review period, air travel to and from the Republic of Moldova was 
characterised by limited choice and high cost, for lack of competition. Passengers departing from 
the Republic of Moldova could find better flight options, including number of routes, frequency of 
flights, and lower airfares, at nearby airports in neighbouring countries. However, steps towards 
market liberalization, taken since 2012 (see below), are bringing about notable changes. Passenger traffic has been growing steadily and is likely to expand further. Some 33 destinations 
were regularly served from Chisinau  in June 2015, against 22 in 2009.  
4.96.  International air transport services are governed by one multilateral and 25 bilateral 
agreements, covering 42 partner countries (including the EU's 28 members).
91 I n  g e n e r a l ,  t h e  
bilateral agreements in force have been concluded on the principle of reciprocity and may cover up 
to the fourth freedom. The Republic of Moldova' s comprehensive air services agreement with EU 
members, signed and provisionally applied as from June 2012, paved the way for its gradual 
integration into the ECAA. The agreement would remove all restrictions on establishment, air 
fares, routes and the number of weekly flight s between the Republic of Moldova and the EU.92  
4.97.  The Civil Aviation Authority93 (Autoritatea Aeronautic ă Civilă, CAA) is in charge of 
implementing Moldova's civil aviation policy; it approves flight rules and routes within Moldovan 
airspace, keeps the national aviation register, and certifies and authorises aeronautical 
professionals and aircraft. A need for clearer separation between MTRI's policy formulation functions and CAA's regulatory duties was identified in the national Transport and Logistics 
Strategy elaborated in 2012.
94 CAA has had a working arrangement with the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) since 2009; it signed a new generation arrangement in November 2014, 
agreeing to a monitoring mechanism in its implemen tation of European flight safety standards. The 
Moldovan Air Traffic Services Authority (MoldA TSA), a State-owned enterprise operating on a 
self-financing basis, is the national provider of air navigation services; it doesn't have any regulatory competences.  
4.98.  All carriers wishing to perform commercial air transport services in the Republic of Moldova 
must hold a valid Air Operator Certificate (AOC) issued by the aviation authority of the State of 
registration and have an Aviation Security Pr ogram approved by the CAA. Moldovan-registered 
carriers must be incorporated in the Republic of  Moldova and have sufficient funds to cover the 
costs of operating the envisaged flights for over three months, with the indicated aircrafts at 
maximum capacity. Aircraft repairs may be performed in the Republic of Moldova on the basis of an Air Operator Authorization (AOA) issued by the CAA. According to the authorities, the Moldovan 
certification and authorization mechanisms are being updated, as part of the ongoing 
harmonization with EU legislation. 
4.99.  In June 2015, eight domestic and 15 foreign carriers held valid authorisations to carry out 
flights in Moldovan airspace; there were also five AOA holders. Only two Moldovan-registered 
carriers operated regular passenger flights. The nati onal carrier, Air Moldova, is fully State-owned; 
it has been benefitting from repeated deferrals on the settlement of airport fees to Chisinau 
Airport.  
                                               
90 During 2008-14, CFM received MDL 6.1 million from the state budget as reimbursement of costs 
associated with the transport of pers ons with travel discount privileges. 
91 Bilateral agreements are in place with Azerbaij an, Belarus, China, Geor gia, Israel, the Russian 
Federation, Turkey, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. 
92 The Republic of Moldova thus committed to adopt and implement about 65 legal acts in order to 
harmonize its legislation with EU aviation rules, includ ing with regard to air traffic management, safety and 
security, economic regulation, competition and social  aspects, and environment and consumer protection. 
93 Established under Law No . 1237-XIII of 9 July 1997. 
94 Government of the Republic of Moldova (2012). WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 72 - 
 
  4.100.  The Republic of Moldova has four airports, of which only one (Cahul Airport) is partially 
privatized but not operational. Regular passenger and cargo traffic is concentrated at Chisinau Airport, which is undergoing rehabilitation and expansion works to accommodate the growing demand. In 2012, the airport's charges were amon g the highest in Eastern Europe, partly on 
account of an Airport Modernization Fee (€9 per departing passenger).
95 The authorities affirm that 
ground services  are open to competition; aircraft refuelling at Chisinau Airport is a de facto  
monopoly of a private company. MIFA, a former mili tary facility, has been given a status similar to 
that of a FEZ (section 4.4.3  ) until 2018; the general investor is a State-owned enterprise.  
 
                                               
95 Government of the Republic of Moldova/World Bank (2012). WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 73 - 
 
  REFERENCES 
AGEPI (2014), National Report on the Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in the Republic 
of Moldova , Chisinau. Viewed at: http://www.stoppirateria.md/pdf/raport_national_2013-ro.pdf .  
EBRD (2012), Electronic Communication Sector Comparative Assessment: Moldova . Viewed at: 
http://www.ebrd.com/downloads/leg al/telecomms/m oldova-2012.pdf .  
EBRD / UNCITRAL Initiative on Public Procurement (2013), Legal Diagnostic Report 
Compliance of the Public Procurement Legislation in Moldova with International Best Practices as 
expressed by the 2011 UNCITRAL Model Law on Public Procurement , August. Viewed at: 
http://www.ppi-ebrd-uncitral.com/images/sto ries/Files_repository/Moldova/edit-
ebrd%20uncitral_diagnostic%20report_moldova_en_20130813_clean.pdf .  
Energy Community Secretariat (2014), Annual implementation report, August 2014 . Viewed at: 
http://www.energy-
community.org/portal/page/portal/ENC_HOME /DOCS/3356393/Energy%20Community%20Implem
entation%20Report%202014%20WEB.pdf .  
EU Commission (2015), Implementation of the European Neighb ourhood Policy in the Republic of 
Republic of Moldova: Progress in 2014 and recommendations for actions,  Brussels. Viewed at: 
http://eeas.europa.eu/enp/pdf/2015/repulic-of-moldova-enp-report-2015_en.pdf .  
Government of the Republic of Moldova / World Bank (2012), Technical Report - Aviation , 
November 2012. Viewed at: http://www.transport-logistica.md/docs/english/TechReport_Aviation_English_Nov2012.pdf.  
Government of the Republic of Moldova (2012), Transport and Logistics Strategy 2013-2022  
(2012). Viewed at: http://www.transport-
logistica.md/docs/english/MoldovaTLS_English_Dec2012.pdf.  
IMF (2014a), Article IV Consultation, Country Report No. 14/190 . Viewed at: 
http://www.imf.org/external/p ubs/ft/scr/2014/cr14190.pdf . 
IMF (2014b), Second Post-program Monitoring Discussions - Staff Report  (December 2014), 
Country Report No. 14/346. Viewed at: 
http://www.imf.org/external/p ubs/ft/scr/2014/cr14346.pdf .  
IMF (2015), Economic Outlook , April 2015, Washington DC. Viewed at: 
https://www.imf.org/external/pub s/ft/weo/2015/01/pdf/text.pdf .  
Price Waterhouse Coopers (2014), Investing Guide Moldova  2014. Viewed at: 
https://www.pwc.com/md/en/publications/a ssets/moldova-busin ess-guide-2014.pdf .  
State Chancellery of the Government of the Republic of Moldova (2012), Moldova 2020, National 
Development Strategy: 7 Solutions for Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction , Chisinau. Viewed 
at: http://www.cancelaria.gov.md/lib.php?l=en&idc=435 .  
The Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (2013), Annual Report on Port 
State Control . Viewed at: 
https://www.parismou.org/sites/default/files /Paris%20MoU%20Annual% 20Report%202013%20re
vised_1.pdf .  
The World Bank (2015) Strengthening Public Procurement (P129112) . Viewed at: http://www-
wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/ECA/2015/04/27/090224b082e11c
73/1_0/Rendered/PDF/Moldova000Stre0Report000Sequence003.pdf .  
UNCTAD (2011), General System of Preferences: List of Beneficiaries , 
UNCTAD/ITCD/TSB/Misc.62/Rev.5 . Viewed at: 
http://unctad.org/en/docs/itcdtsbmisc62rev5_en.pdf .  WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 74 - 
 
  5  APPENDIX TABLES 
Table A1. 1 Merchandise exports by product groups, 2009-14 
 2009  2010  2011  2012 2013 2014  
Total exports (US$ million) 1,283.0  1,541.5  2,216.8  2,161.9  2,428.3  2,339.5  
 (% of total) 
Total primary products 49.2  51.5  47.1  44.4  46.6  48.6  
Agriculture 47.5  48.2  42.2  41.4  42.5  46.2  
Food 47.0  47.3  41.2  40.5  41.7  45.4  
1121 Wine of fresh grapes 10.0  9.0  6.0  6.6  6.2  4.8  
0577 Edible nuts fresh, dried 3.6  3.9  3.2  4.7  4.0  4.7  
2224 Sunflower seeds 2.9  3.7  5.6  3.4  5.6  4.5  
 0412 Other wheat and meslin, unmilled 2.9  2.2  0.7  0.7  2.7  3.5  
 0449 Other maize, unmilled 0.7  0.6  1.4  0.4  1.0  3.2  
4215 Sunflower seed or safflower oiL 3.2  2.7  3.1  3.7  1.7  3.2  
1124 Spirits 2.0  2.3  1.9  3.0  3.8  2.9  
0612 Other solid beet/chemically pure 
sucrose 2.3  1.6  0.4  1.4  1.0  2.1  
0599 Juices, other than citrus 1.4  1.5   1.6  1.5  2.1  1.6  
0579 Fruit, fresh, dried, n.e.s. 1.5  2.8  1.7  2.0  1.6  1.5  
2226 Rape, colza, mustard seeds 1.8  1.0  1.5  0.3  0.9  1.2  
0574 Apples, fresh 3.5  3.2  2.6  1.8  2.0  1.1  
0122 Meat of swine 0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0  1.0  
Agricultural raw material 0.5  0.8  1.0  0.9  0.8  0.9  
Mining 1.7  3.3  4.9  3.1  4.1  2.4  
Ores and other minerals 1.2  2.8  3.7  2.2  2.8  1.6  
Non-ferrous metals 0.0  0.0  0.1  0.1  0.2  0.1  
Fuels 0.4  0.5  1.1  0.7  1.1  0.7  
Manufactures 50.8  48.5  52.7  55.5  53.4  51.4  
Iron and steel 0.2  0.2  0.4  0.4  0.4  0.2  
Chemicals 4.9  5.1  5.6  7.2  7.5  7.5  
5429 Medicaments, n.e.s. 3.3  3.6  3.2  4.1  4.3  4.9  
Other semi-manufactures 4.9  4.9  5.6  5.3  6.4  4.4  
6651 Containers, of glass 1.8  2.1  1.7  1.5  1.9  2.0  
Machinery and transport equipment 12.0  12.5  14.8  15.7  14.9  14.4  
Power generating machines 0.3  0.4  0.4  0.3  0.3  0.3  
Other non-electrical machinery 2.3  3.6  4.3  3.2  2.6  2.3  
Agricultural machinery and tractors 0.2  0.4  0.4  0.4  0.3  0.2  
Office machines & telecommunication 
equipment 0.5  0.8  0.6  0.3  0.2  0.2  
Other electrical machines 7.8  6.4  7.3  8.9  9.8  10.4  
7731 Insulated wire; optical fibre cables 7.3  5.9  6.4  7.7  8.8  9.3  
Automotive products 0.3  0.6  1.6  1.9  1.4  0.5  
Other transport equipment 0.8  0.8  0.6  1.1  0.6  0.7  
Textiles 2.6  2.5  3.5  4.3  3.2  2.7  
6595 Carpets and other textile floorings, 
woven 1.7  1.5  1.3  1.4  1.3  1.2  
Clothing 17.7  15.1  12.6  11.8  10.7  11.9  
8442 Suits, ensembes, jackets, dresses, 
etc. 1.3  1.6  1.0  1.0  1.3  1.0  
Other consumer goods 8.5  8.2  10.1  10.8  10.4  10.2  
8211 Seats (excl. of 872.4), and parts 0.5  1.3  2.4  2.8  3.1  3.7  
8731 Gas/liquid/electricity, etc., meters 0.4  0.2  0.6  0.8  1.1  1.0  
Other 0.0  0.0  0.2  0.1  0.0  0.0  
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3), and in formation provided by the Moldovan authorities. 
 WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 75 - 
 
  Table A1. 2 Merchandise imports by product groups, 2009-14 
 2009  2010  2011  2012 2013 2014  
Total imports (US$ million) 3,278.3  3,855.3  5,191.3  5,212.9  5,492.4  5,317.0  
 (% of total) 
Total primary products 38.9  37.6  37.7 39.0 38.6 37.5 
Agriculture 16.7  16.3  14.2  15.2  15.2  14.5  
Food 15.2  14.9  12.8  13.8  13.8  13.0  
1222 Cigarettes containing tobacco 2.3  1.8  1.4  1.3  1.2  1.0  
0989 Food preparations, n.e.s. 0.7  0.7  0.7  0.8  0.8  0.8  
0342 Fish, frozen (excl. fillets and minced 
fish) 0.6  0.6  0.5  0.6  0.6  0.6  
Agricultural raw material 1.4  1.3  1.4  1.4  1.4  1.4  
Mining 22.2  21.4  23.5 23.8 23.5 23.0 
Ores and other minerals 0.2  0.4  0.4  0.3  0.4  0.3  
Non-ferrous metals 0.5  0.5  0.5  0.4  0.6  1.3  
6824 Copper wire 0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0  0.1  0.9  
Fuels 21.4  20.5  22.6  23.0  22.5  21.4  
33 Petroleum and petroleum products 11.1  11.1  12.3  11.9  11.8  11.5  
Manufactures 61.1  62.3  62.3  61.0  61.4  62.5  
Iron and steel 2.2  2.5  2.5  2.2  2.5  2.5  
Chemicals 14.1  13.5  13.0  13.5  14.2  15.0  
5429 Medicaments, n.e.s. 4.2  3.6  3.3  3.3  3.6  4.0  
5542 Surface-active agents (excl. soap) 0.9  0.8  0.7  0.7  0.7  0.7  
5533 Preparations for use on the hair 0.4  0.3  0.5  0.8  0.7  0.6  
Other semi-manufactures 10.5  10.9  10.4  10.0  10.1  10.1  
6429 Articles of paper pulp, paper, etc., 
n.e.s. 0.5  0.6  0.6  0.6  0.7  0.6  
6624 Non-refractory brick, tiles, pipes, etc. 0.7  0.6  0.6  0.6  0.6  0.6  
Machinery and transport equipment 19.1  20.9  22.3  20.8  20.6  21.2  
Power generating machines 0.2  0.2  0.3  0.2  0.2  0.2  
Other non-electrical machinery 4.5  5.5  6.7  5.9  6.0  6.7  
Agricultural machinery and tractors 1.1  1.2  1.8  1.5  1.5  2.3  
7224 Wheeled tractors (other than of 
744.14/744.15) 0.3  0.4  0.6  0.6  0.6  0.8  
7212 Agricultural produce machinery 0.4  0.4  0.6  0.4  0.4  0.7  
Office machines & telecommunication 
equipment 3.9  3.9  3.4  3.3  3.2  3.1  
Other electrical machines 5.8  5.3  6.0  6.0  6.1  5.7  
7731 Insulated wire etc.; optical fibre 
cables 1.8  1.7  2.2  2.2  2.3  1.7  
7725 Switches, relays, etc. for a voltage 
<= 1000 V 0.6  0.5  0.6  0.7  0.8  0.8  
7732 Electrical insulating equipment 0.6  0.5  0.6  0.6  0.6  0.6  
Automotive products 4.1  4.3  5.3  4.4  4.4  4.4  
7812 Motor vehicles for the transport of 
persons, n.e.s. 2.4  2.3  2.6  2.1  2.4  2.5  
7843 Other motor vehicle parts and 
accessories of 722, 781 to 783 0.7  0.7  1.0  1.1  1.0  0.7  
Other transport equipment 0.6  1.6  0.7  1.0  0.7  1.1  
Textiles 5.0  5.3  5.4  5.4  5.0  4.8  
6552 Other knitted/crocheted fabrics, not 
impregnated/coated 1.2  1.2  1.1  1.0  1.0  1.0  
Clothing 2.3  2.0  1.7  1.8  1.9  1.8  
Other consumer goods 7.8  7.3  7.0  7.2  7.0  7.1  
8931 Plastics containers, stoppers, lids, 
etc. 0.5  0.4  0.5  0.5  0.5  0.6  
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3), and in formation provided by the Moldovan authorities. 
 WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 76 - 
 
  Table A1. 3 Merchandise expo rts by destination, 2009-14 
 2009  2010  2011  2012 2013 2014  
Total exports (US$ million) 1,283.0  1,541.5  2,216.8  2,161.9  2,428.3  2,339.5  
 (% of total) 
America 1.8  2.0  2.5  1.8  1.4  1.5  
United States 1.3  1.4  1.1  1.4  1.0  1.4  
Other America 0.5  0.6  1.4  0.5  0.4  0.1  
Europe 57.0  53.5  53.0  50.1  54.3  60.1  
EU(28) 52.3  47.5  49.0  47.0  46.9  53.3  
Romania 18.7  16.0  17.0  16.5  16.9  18.6  
Italy 10.6  9.6  9.7  9.4  7.6  10.4  
Germany 5.9  4.9  4.8  3.2  4.7  5.9  
United Kingdom 4.7  5.3  4.6  3.9  4.3  4.6  
Poland 2.6  3.0  3.9  3.4  3.5  2.8  
Bulgaria 1.1  1.2  1.5  1.6  1.3  1.6  
France 1.7  1.5  1.1  1.4  1.5  1.6  
Czech Rep. 0.4  0.5  0.5  0.8  1.1  1.3  
Greece 1.2  1.2  1.1  0.6  1.0  1.1  
Austria 0.6  0.7  0.6  0.8  0.8  1.0  
The Netherlands 0.9  0.7  0.8  0.8  0.7  0.9  
EFTA 1.7  1.1  0.4  0.2  2.0  2.1  
Switzerland 1.7  1.1  0.4  0.2  2.0  2.1  
Other Europe 3.1  4.8  3.6  2.8  5.4  4.7  
Turkey 2.5  4.4  3.3  2.6  5.2  4.5  
Commonwealth of Independent States 
(CIS) 38.9   41.3  42.1  43.8  39.2  32.5  
Russian Federation 22.3  26.2  28.2  30.3  26.0  18.1  
Belarus 6.3  5.2  3.4  3.7  3.7  5.8  
Ukraine 6.3  5.9  6.9  5.7  5.8  4.7  
Kazakhstan 2.1  2.0  2.1  2.3  1.6  1.9  
Georgia 0.7  0.8  0.6  0.9  1.2  1.0  
Africa 0.4  0.7  0.2  0.5  0.5  0.6  
Middle East 1.6  2.0  1.2  1.4  0.9  1.3  
Asia 0.3  0.5  1.1  2.3  2.3  2.7  
China 0.1  0.1  0.2  0.4  0.3  0.4  
Japan 0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0  0.1  
Other Asia 0.1  0.3  0.8  1.9  1.8  1.8  
New Zealand 0.0  0.0  0.2  1.2  1.3  0.9  
Other 0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0  1.4  1.3  
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database , and information provided by the Moldovan authorities.  
 WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 77 - 
 
  Table A1. 4 Merchandise imports by origin, 2009-14 
 2009  2010  2011  2012  2013 2014  
Total imports (US$ million) 3,278.3  3,855.3  5,191.3  5,212.9  5,492.4  5,317.0  
 (% of total) 
America 2.6  3.5  2.5  2.7  2.3  2.9  
United States 1.4  1.6  1.5  1.5  1.3  1.4  
Other America 1.2  1.9  0.9  1.1  1.0  1.4  
Europe 50.1  50.9  52.0  53.4  53.5  55.7  
EU(28) 43.4  44.3  43.5  44.5  45.0  48.3  
Romania 9.5  10.0  11.1  11.9  13.1  15.1  
Germany 7.7  7.6  7.6  7.4  7.2  8.0  
Italy 7.1  7.0  6.7  6.3  6.3  6.6  
Poland 2.7  2.7  2.6  2.9  2.6  2.9  
Austria 1.7  1.5  1.6  2.4  2.3  2.1  
France 1.9  1.8  1.7  2.0  1.9  1.8  
Hungary 1.6  1.7  1.9  1.7  1.8  1.6  
Bulgaria 1.2  1.3  1.3  1.5  1.5  1.5  
United Kingdom 1.5  1.4  1.2  1.1  1.1  1.3  
Czech Rep. 1.1  1.1  1.2  1.2  1.3  1.3  
The Netherlands 1.0  1.1  1.0  0.9  0.9  1.1  
Spain 0.9  0.7  0.8  0.8  0.8  0.9  
Belgium 0.7  0.9  0.7  0.7  0.8  0.8  
EFTA 1.1  1.0  1.1  1.1  1.1  1.1  
Switzerland 0.8  0.6  0.7  0.7  0.8  0.8  
Other Europe 5.5  5.6  7.5  7.8  7.4  6.3  
Turkey 5.3  5.3  7.1  7.4  6.9  5.7  
Commonwealth of Independent States 
(CIS) 34.8  32.6  33.0  31.2  30.5  27.3  
Russian Federation 11.4  15.2  15.9  15.7  14.3  13.5  
Ukraine 14.0  13.7  12.4  11.4  12.0  10.3  
Belarus 4.2  3.1  3.8  3.3  3.2  2.7  
Africa 0.3  0.3  0.3  0.3  0.3  0.5  
Middle East 0.6  0.4  0.5  0.9  0.9  0.5  
Asia 11.4  12.1  11.6  11.4  12.3  12.9  
China 7.5  8.3  7.7  8.0  8.7  9.0  
Japan 1.0  0.9  0.8  0.6  0.7  0.9  
Korea, Rep. of 0.5  0.6  0.7  0.6  0.6  0.7  
Other Asia 1.6  1.5  1.5  1.4  1.5  1.5  
India 0.7  0.7  0.7  0.6  0.6  0.7  
Other 0.1  0.1  0.1  0.1  0.1  0.2  
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database , and information provided by the Moldovan authorities.  
 WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 78 - 
 
  Table A2. 1 Main trade-related legislation  
Subject  Laws and regulations 
Agriculture Law on food (No. 78 of 18/03/2004) 
Law on establishing general principles and requirements of food safety legislation (No. 113 of 18/05/2012) Law regarding the identification and registration of animals (No. 231-XVI of 20/07/2006) Law on selection and reproduction in an imal husbandry (No. 371 of 15/02/1995) 
Law on animal husbandry (No. 412 of 27/05/1999) Law on vine and wine (No. 57 of 10/03/2006)  
Law on horticulture (No. 728 of 02/06/1996)  
Law on seeds (No. 68 of 04/05/2013) 
Customs  Law approving the Combined Nomenclature of goods (No. 172 of 25/07/2014) 
Customs Code (Law No. 1149-XIV of 20/07/2000) 
Law on Customs Tariff No. 1380 of 20/11/1997 
Competition Law on Competition (No. 183 of 11/07/2012) 
Energy National Energy Regulatory Agency (Governmental Decision No. 767 of 11/08/1997) 
Law on Energy (No. 1525-XIII of 19/02/1998) 
Law on Electricity (No. 124-XVIII of 23/12/2009) 
Law on Natural gas (No. 123-XVIII of 23/12/2009) 
Financial 
services Law on Foreign Exchange Regulation No. 62-XVI, 21/03/2008 
Law on the National Bank of Moldova (No. 548-XIII of 21/07/1995) 
Law on Financial Institutions (No. 550-XIII of 21/07/1995) 
Law on Payment Services and Electronic Money (No. 114 of 18/05/2012) Law on Capital Market No. 171 of 11/07/ 2012 Law on National Commission for Financial Markets (No. 192 of 12/11/1998) Law on Insurance (No. 407 of 21/12/2006) Law on Joint Stock Companie s (No. 1134-XIII of 02/04/1997) 
Free zones Law On Free Economic Zones (No. 440-XV of 27/07/2001) 
Government 
procurement  Law on Government Procurement (No. 96 of 13/04/2007) 
Investment  Law on Investments in Entrepreneurial Activity (No. 81-XV of 18/03/2004) 
IPR Law on Copyright and Related Rights (No. 139-XIII of 02/07/2010) 
Law on the Protection of Geographical indications, appellations of Origin and traditional specialties 
guaranteed (No. 66-XVI of 25/10/2008) 
Law on the Protection of Inventions (No. 50-XVI of 07/03/2008, as amended by the Law No. 173 of 25/07/2014) Law on the Protection of Trademarks (No. 38-XVI of 29/02/2008, as amended by the Law No. 173 of 25/07/2014, Law No. 20 of 23/02/2012) Law on the Protection of Plant Varieties (No. 39-XVI of 29/02/2008, as amended by the Law No. 173 of 25/07/2014 and the Law No. 85 of 13/04/2012) Law on the Protection of Industrial Designs (No. 161 of 12/07/2007, as amended by the Law No. 173 of 25/07/2014) Law on the Protection of Topographies of Integrated Circuits (No. 655-XIV of 29/10/1999, as amended by the Law No. 238 of 13/11/2008, Law No. 205 of 28/07/2005, Law No. 469 of 21/11/2003, Law No. 1446 of 08/11/2002) 
Law on Commercial Secrets (No. 171-XIII of 06 /07/1994, as amended by the Law No. 111 of 
17/05/2012, Law No. 195 of 15/07/2010, Law No. 204 of 28/07/2005, Law No. 290 of 22/07/2004, Law No. 390 of 20/07/2001, Law No. 312 of 28/06/2001, Law No. 1079 of 23/06/2000). 
Licensing  Improving the Mechanism of Regulating External Trade (Import Licensing) (Government Decision 
No. 777 of 13/08/1997) 
Law on Regulation by Licensing of Entrepreneurial Activity (No. 451-XV of 30/07/2001) 
Manufacturing Government Decision on industry development strategy for the period until 2015 (No. 1149 of 
05/10/2006) 
Pricing policy Law on internal trade (No. 231 of 23/09/2010) 
Government Decision on measures of state coor dination and regulation of prices and tariffs 
(No. 547 of 04/08/1995) 
Law on petroleum products market (No. 461-XV of 30/07/2001) 
Decision of the National Agency for Energy Regulation approving the methodology for calculating 
and applying the prices of petroleum products (No. 263 of 05/10/2007) 
Law on medicaments (No. 1409-XIII of 17/12/1997) 
Law on pharmaceutical activity (No. 1456-XII of 25/05/1993) 
Government Decision approving th e Regulation on the mode of approval and registration of 
producer prices for medicaments (No. 525 of 22/06/2010) 
Government Decision on approval  of the Regulation on the formation of prices of medicaments 
and other pharmaceutical and parapharmaceutical products 
Privatization  Law on Public Property Management and Privatization No. 121-XVI of 04/05/2007 
SPS  Law regarding sanitary-veterinary activity (No. 221-XVI of 19/10/2007) 
Law on plant protection and plant quarantine (No. 228 of 23/09/2010) 
Government Decision on Urgent measures to prevent the introduction and spread in the Republic 
of Moldova of quarantine orga nisms (No. 558 of 22/07/2011) 
Government Decision on approving the rules for surveys to be carried out for purposes of the 
recognition of protected zones areas in the Republic of Moldova, as well as the rules for the WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 79 - 
 
  Subject  Laws and regulations 
movement of some plants, plant products and other objects in a protected zone (No. 557 of 
22/07/2011) 
Government Decision on approving Special Conditions for the introduction and movement of 
plant, plant products and other objects within the territory of the Republic of Moldova (No. 594 of 
02/08/2011) 
Government Decision on approving some normative acts on the implementation of the Law 
No. 228 of 23/09/2010 on plant protection and phytosanitary quarantine (No. 356 of 
31/05/2012) 
Government Decision approving the methods of sa mpling for the official control of pesticide 
residues in and on products of plant and animal origin (No. 1004 of 25/10/2010)  
Government Decision on approving the technical Regulation “Mineral fertilizers. Essential 
Requirements” (No. 268 of 26/04/2012) 
Government Decision approving the Sanitary Regu lation on maximum level of residues of plant 
protection products in or on food products and feed of plant and animal products for animals 
(No. 1191 of 23 /12/2010) 
State trading Law On State Regulation of External Trade Activity (No. 1031-XIV of 08/06/2000) 
Taxation Fiscal Code (No. 1163-XIII of 24/04/1997) 
TBT  Law on Standardization (No. 590-XIII of 22/09/1995) 
Law on technical regulation activity (No. 420-XVI of 22/12/2006) Law on accreditation and conformity assessment (No. 235 of 01/12/2011) 
Telecoms  Law on Electronic Communications (No. 241-XVI of 15/11/2007) 
Law on Electronic Commerce (No. 284-XV of 22/07/2004) 
Law on electronic signature and electronic document (No. 91 of 29/05/2014) 
Tourism  Law on the organization and development of tourist activity in the Republic of Moldova 
(No. 352-XVI of 24/11/2006) 
Transport Railway Code (No. 309 of 17/07/2003) 
Civil Aviation Law (No. 1237 of 09/07/1997) 
Aviation Security Law (No. 92-XVI of 05/04/2007) 
Government Decision approving the National Program for Air Transport Facilitation (No. 1034 of 
16/10/2000) 
Government Decision on approval of supervision charge rate for maintaining certification 
conditions of Civil Aviation Au thority (No. 1 of 04/01/2013) 
Airspace Control Law (No. 143 of 21/06/2012) 
Law on approval of the Road Transport Code (No. 150 of 17/07/2014) 
Government Decision on the reorganization of th e automated information system for search "car" 
in the State Register of transport and the introduction of testing of vehicles and their trailers 
(No. 1047 of 08/11/1999) 
Government Decision on Regulation of road tr ansport of passengers and luggage (No. 854 of 
28/07/2006) 
Law on the Road Traffic Safety (No. 131-XVI of 07/06/2007) 
Law on approval of the commercial maritime naviga tion Code of the Republic of Moldova (No. 599 
of 09/30/1999) 
Law on domestic shipping (No. 176 of 12/07/2013) 
Maritime navigation Code (No. 599 of 30/09/1999) 
Inland naval transport Law (No. 176 of 12/07/2013) 
Government Decision on approval of the rule s for the registration of ships (No. 855 of 
30/07/2007) 
Government Decision on the implementation of the International Management Code for the Safe 
Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (International Safety Management Code - ISM 
Code) (No. 997 of 28/08/2006) 
Government Decision on the implementation of the International Code for ship and port facility 
security (ISPS Code) and the International Maritime Organization Resolution A.959 (No. 955 of 
18/08/2006) 
Government Decision on the approval of the Transport and Logistics Strategy for 
2013-2022 (No. 827 of 28/10/2013) 
Government Decision on the approval of the National Road Safety Strategy (No. 1214 of 
27/12/2010) 
Roads Law (No. 509 of 22/06/1995) 
Road Fund Law (No. 720 of 02/02/1996) 
Road Safety Law (No. 131 of 07/06/2007) 
Government Decision on the approval of the Ac tion Plan for implementing the National Road 
Safety Strategy (No. 972 of 21/12/2011) 
Government Decision on the approval of the National and Local Roads Lists (No. 1323 of 
29/12/2000) 
Law of Quality in Construction (No. 721 of 02/02/1996) 
Source: WTO Secretariat on the basis of informat ion provided by the Moldovan authorities.  WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 80 - 
 
  Table A2. 2 Regional Trade Agreements in force 
Agreement Description 
Armenia-Republic of Moldova 
Title Free Trade Agreement between Armenia and the Republic of Moldova 
Parties Armenia and the Republic of Moldova 
Date of signature/entry into 
force  December 1993/December 1995 
End of implementation period 1995 
Selected features Agreement applies to goods only; accession; balance of payments; 
competition; customs-related procedur es; dispute settlement; exceptions, 
general or for security; export rest rictions; rules of origin; safeguard 
measures 
WTO consideration status  Factual presentation completed 
Republic of Moldova's 
merchandise trade with 
Armenia (2014) 0.01% of total imports; 0.09% of total exports 
WTO document series WT/REG173 
CEFTA 
Title Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) 2006 
Parties (current) Albania; Bosnia and Herzegovina; th e Republic of Moldova; Montenegro; 
Serbia; The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; UNMIK/Kosovo 
Date of signature/entry into 
force December 2006/May 2007 
End of implementation period 2015 
Selected features Agreement applies to goods only; cust oms-related proced ures; investment; 
dispute settlement; intellectual property rights  
WTO consideration status Factual presentation not distributed 
Republic of 
Moldova's merchandise trade 
with CEFTA members (2014) Albania: 0.13% of total imports; 0. 01% of total exports; Bosnia and 
Herzegovina: 0.04% of total imports; 0.04% of total exports; Montenegro: 
0.00% of total imports; 0.01% of total exports; Serbia: 0.40% of total 
imports; 0.10% of total exports; FYR of  Macedonia: 0.04% of total imports; 
0.05% of total exports; UNMIK/Kosovo : 0.00% of total imports; 0.01% of 
total exports 
WTO document series WT/REG233 
CISa 
Title Treaty on a Free Trade Area between  members of the Commonwealth of 
Independent States (CIS) 
Parties Armenia; Belarus; Kazakhs tan; Kyrgyz Republic; th e Republic of Moldova; 
Russian Federation; Tajikistan; Ukraine 
Date of signature/entry into 
force  October 2011/September-December 2012 
End of implementation period Not specified  
Selected features Agreement applies to goods only; accession; balance of payments; 
competition; customs-related procedur es; dispute settlement; exceptions, 
general or for security; export rest rictions; rules of origin; safeguard 
measures 
WTO consideration status  Factual presentation completed 
Republic of Moldova's 
merchandise trade with CIS 
members (2014) Armenia: 0.01% of total imports and 0.09% of total exports; Belarus: 
2.67% of total imports and 5.76% of total exports; Kazakhstan: 0.51% of 
total imports and 1.94% of total exports; Kyrgyz Republic: 0.01% of total 
imports and 0.14% of total exports; Russian Federation: 13.49% of total 
imports and 18.11% of total exports; Tajikistan: 0.00% of total imports and 
0.08% of total exports; Ukraine: 10.28% of total imports and 4.67% of 
total exports 
WTO document series WT/REG173 
European Union-Republic of Moldova 
Title Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between the EU and the Republic 
of Moldova 
Parties Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; Croatia;  Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; 
Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Ireland; Italy; 
Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; the Republic of Moldova; 
Netherlands; Poland; Portugal; Romania;  Slovak Republic; Slovenia; Spain; 
Sweden; United Kingdom 
Date of signature/entry into 
force  27 June 2014/ September 2014 
End of implementation period September 2014 
Selected features Agreement applies to goods and services; national treatment and market 
access for goods; trade remedies; TBT, standardization, metrology, 
accreditation and conformity assessment; SPS measures; customs and WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 81 - 
 
  Agreement Description 
trade facilitation; establishment, trade in services and electronic commerce; 
current payments and movement of ca pital; public procurement; IPR; 
competition; trade-related energy; transparency; trade and sustainable 
development; disp ute settlement 
WTO consideration status  Factual presentation completed 
Republic of Moldova's 
merchandise trade with EU 
members (2014) Austria: 2.08% of total imports and 1.02% of total exports; Belgium: 
0.76% of total imports and 0.48% of total exports; Bulgaria: 1.53% of total 
imports and 1.62% of total exports; Croatia: 0.03% of total imports and 
0.01% of total exports; Cyprus: 0.02% of total imports and 0.30% of total 
exports; Czech Republic: 1.25% of total imports and 1.28% of total 
exports; Denmark: 0.32% of total imports and 0.07% of total exports; 
Estonia: 0.11% of total imports and 0.19% of total exports; Finland: 0.30% 
of total imports and 0.02% of total exports; France: 1.76% of total imports 
and 1.61% of total exports; Germany: 8.03% of total imports and 5.88% of 
total exports; Greece: 0.69% of total imports and 1.14% of total exports; 
Hungary: 1.61% of total imports and 0.24% of total exports; Ireland: 
0.16% of total imports and 0.00% of total exports; Italy 6.61% of total 
imports and 10.40% of total exports; Latvia: 0.14% of total imports and 
0.48% of total exports; Lithuania: 0.23% of total imports and 0.72% of 
total exports; Luxembourg: 0.07% of total imports and 0.00% of total 
exports; Malta: 0.00% of total im ports and 0.00% of total exports; 
Netherlands: 1.06% of total imports and 0.88% of total exports; Poland: 
2.93% of total imports and 2.75% of total exports; Portugal: 0.14% of total 
imports and 0.02% of total exports; Romania: 15.10% of total imports and 
18.55% of total exports; Slovak Republic: 0.40% of total imports and 
0.35% of total exports; Slovenia: 0.38% of total imports and 0.03% of total 
exports; Spain: 0.89% of total imports and 0.50% of total exports; 
Sweden: 0.37% of total imports and 0.10% of total exports; and United 
Kingdom: 1.30% of total imports and 4.62% of total exports 
WTO document series WT/REG352 
Kyrgyz Republic-Republic of Moldova 
Title Free Trade Agreement between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic 
of Moldova 
Parties Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Moldova 
Date of signature/entry into 
force May 1995/November 1996  
End of implementation period 1996 
Selected features Agreement applies to goods only; accession; balance of payments; 
competition; countervailing measures; customs-related procedures; dispute 
settlement; exceptions, general or for security; export restrictions; 
intellectual property rights; rules of origin; safeguard measures; SPS; TBT 
WTO consideration status Factual abstract distributed 
Republic of Moldova's 
merchandise trade with 
Kyrgyz Republic (2014) 0.01% of total imports; 0.14% of total exports 
WTO document series WT/REG144 
Russian Federation-Republic of Moldova 
Title Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers – the Russian Federation and 
the Republic of Moldova on Free Trade 
Parties Russian Federation and the Republic of Moldova 
Date of signature/entry into 
force February 1993/March 1993 
End of implementation period 1993 
Selected features Agreement applies to goods only ; customs-related procedures  
WTO consideration status Factual presentation not distributed 
Republic of Moldova's 
merchandise trade with 
Russian Federation (2014) 13.49% of total imports; 18.11% of total exports  
WTO document series WT/REG320 
Ukraine-Republic of Moldova 
Title Free Trade Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the 
Government of the Republic of Moldova 
Parties Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova 
Date of signature/entry into 
force  November 2003/May 2005  
End of implementation period 2008 
Selected features Agreement applies to goods only; comp etition; customs-related procedures; 
dispute settlement; exceptions, general or for security; export restrictions; 
government procurem ent; intellectual property  rights; rules of origin; WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 82 - 
 
  Agreement Description 
safeguard measures; SPS; subsidies; TBT 
WTO consideration status  Factual presentation completed  
Republic of Moldova's 
merchandise trade with 
Ukraine (2014) 10.28% of total imports; 4.67% of total exports 
WTO document series WT/REG249 
Azerbaijan-Repub lic of Moldova 
Title Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Moldova 
and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan 
Parties The Republic of Moldova and Azerbaijan 
Date of signature/entry into 
force  May 1995/April 1996 
End of implementation period 1996 
Selected features Agreement applies to goods and services 
WTO consideration status  Not yet notified 
Republic of Moldova's 
merchandise trade with 
Azerbaijan (2014) 0.00% of total imports; 0.25% of total exports 
Belarus-Republic of Moldova  
Title Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Moldova 
and the Government of th e Republic of Belarus 
Parties (current) The Republic of Moldova and Belarus 
Date of signature/entry into 
force June 1993/December 1994 
End of implementation period 
Selected features 1994 
Agreement applies to goods only 
WTO consideration status Not yet notified 
Republic of 
Moldova's merchandise trade 
with Belarus (2014) 2.67% of total imports; 5.76% of total exports 
Kazakhstan-Republic of Moldova 
Title Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Moldova 
and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan 
Parties The Republic of Moldova and Kazakhstan 
Date of signature/entry into 
force  May 1995/February 1996 
End of implementation period 1996 
Selected features Agreement applies to goods only 
WTO consideration status  Not yet notified 
Republic of Moldova's 
merchandise trade with 
Kazakhstan (2014) 0.51% of total imports; 1.94% of total exports 
Georgia-Republic of Moldova 
Title Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Moldova 
and the Government of Georgia 
Parties The Republic of Moldova and Georgia 
Date of signature/entry into 
force  November 1997/April 2007 
End of implementation period 2007 
Selected features Agreement applies to goods only 
WTO consideration status  Not yet notified 
Republic of Moldova's 
merchandise trade with 
Georgia (2014) 0.04% of total imports; 1.05% of total exports 
Turkmenistan-Republic of Moldova 
Title Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Moldova 
and the Government of Turkmenistan 
Parties The Republic of Moldova and Turkmenistan 
Date of signature/entry into 
force December 1993/March 1996 
End of implementation period 1996 
Selected features Agreement applies to goods only 
WTO consideration status Not yet notified 
Republic of Moldova's 
merchandise trade with 
Turkmenistan (2014) 0.00% of total imports; 0.05% of total exports WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 83 - 
 
  Agreement Description 
Uzbekistan-Republic of Moldova 
Title Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Moldova 
and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan 
Parties The Republic of Moldova and Uzbekistan 
Date of signature/entry into 
force March 1995/August 1995 
End of implementation period 1995 
Selected features Agreement applies to goods only 
WTO consideration status Not yet notified 
Republic of Moldova's 
merchandise trade with 
Uzbekistan (2014) 0.29% of total imports; 0.35% of total exports 
GUUAM  
Title Agreement on the creation of a free trade area between the GUUAM 
participating states 
Parties Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Republic  of Azerbaijan, and the Republic of 
Moldova 
Date of signature/entry into 
force  July 2002/April 2005 
End of implementation period 2005 
Selected features  
WTO consideration status  Not yet notified 
Republic of Moldova's 
merchandise trade with 
GUUAM members (2014) Georgia: 0.04% of total imports; 1.05%  of total exports; Ukraine: 10.28% 
of total imports; 4.67% of total exports; Uzbekistan: 0.29% of total 
imports; 0.35% of total exports; Azerbaijan: 0.00% of total imports; 0.25% 
of total exports 
a In accordance with paragraph 23. 1 and Annex 5 of the Treaty a Free Trade Area between Armenia, 
Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, 
Tajikistan, and Ukraine, as for relations among the Parties, the Agreement on the Free Trade Area (CIS Agreement) shall be terminated. See WTO document WT/REG82/N/3, 7 June 2014.  
Source: WTO Secretariat; and information pr ovided by the Moldovan authorities.  
 
 WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 84 - 
 
  Table A3. 1 Moldova's tariff summary, 2015 
 Number 
of lines Average 
(%) Range (%) Standard 
deviation Duty free 
(%) 
Total 9,448  6.2 (6.3)  0-25 (0-82.7)  5.8 (6.1) 35.4  
HS01-24 2,494  11.7 (11.9)  0-25 (0-82.7)  6.6 (7.4) 16.9 
HS25-97 6,954  4.4 0-20 4.4 42.1  
By WTO category      
WTO agricultural products 2,120  13.4 (13.5)  0-25 (0-82.7)  5.8 (6.7) 6.2  
Animals and products thereof  351 15.2 (16.2)  0-20 (0-39)  5.9 (6.9) 8.3 
Dairy products 152  11.9 (12.3)  0-20 (0-35.1)  2.9 (4.4) 0.7  
Fruit, vegetables, and plants  510 14.6 0-20 5.6 4.9 
Coffee and tea 47  12.6 5-15 3.5 0.0  
Cereals and preparations 234 10.9 0-15 5.2 10.3 
Oils seeds, fats, oil and their products 174  11.2 0-20 5.0 7.5  
Sugars and confectionary 44 53.2 15-75  28.9 0.0 
Beverages, spirits and tobacco 342  11.9 (11.7)  5-25 (0.6-82.7)  3.5 (9.6) 0.0  
Cotton 6 0.0 0-0 0.0 100.0  
Other agricultural products, n.e.s. 260  7.4 0-20 5.1 12.7  
WTO non-agricultural products  7,328  4.4 0-20 4.5 43.9 
Fish and fishery products 493  3.5 0-15 4.7 64.1  
Minerals and metals 1,455  2.4 0-20 3.9 71.0 
Chemicals and photographic supplies 1,232  3.9 0-6.5  2.6 28.5  
Wood, pulp, paper and furniture 441 3.9 0-15 4.4 50.8 
Textiles 856  5.7 0-20 4.7 27.8  
Clothing 341 11.9 5-12 0.7 0.0 
Leather, rubber, footwear and travel 
goods 264 9.1 0-15 5.1 6.4  
Non-electric machinery 881 2.6 0-10 3.8 62.4 
Electric machinery 446  5.8 0-10 3.6 23.8  
Transport equipment 249 3.0 0-10 2.8 44.2 
Non-agricultural products, n.e.s. 620  5.3 0-15 4.4 35.8  
Petroleum 50 0.0 0-0 0.0 100.0  
By ISIC sector      
ISIC 1 - Agriculture, hunting and fishing 632 8.7 0-20 5.9 21.7 
ISIC 2 - Mining 117  2.9 0-20 3.4 47.0  
ISIC 3 - Manufacturing 8,698  6.1 (6.2)  0-75 (0-82.7)  7.0 (7.2) 36.3 
Manufacturing excluding food 
processing 6,777  4.5 0-20 4.5 41.8  
By stage of processing      
First stage of processing 1,200  6.3 0-20 6.0 37.0  
Semi-processed products 2,774  4.1 0-75 8.1 47.0 
Fully processed products 5,474  7.4 (7.5)  0-25 (0-82.7)  6.1 (6.5) 29.2  
By HS Section      
01 Live animals and products  930 8.7 (9.1)  0-20 (0-39)  7.5 (8.3) 37.5  
02 Vegetable products 561 10.9 0-20 5.5 10.0 
03 Fats and oils 128  12.5 0-20 4.8 6.3  
04 Prepared food, beverages and 
tobacco 875 16.4 (16.0)  0-75 (0-82.7)  13.2 (13.6) 0.9 
05 Mineral products 243  1.6 0-20 3.0 72.8  
06 Chemicals and products thereof 1,153  3.7 0-6.5  2.6 31.4 
07 Plastics, rubber, and articles thereof 301  5.4 0-10 2.5 13.3  
08 Raw hides/skins, leather, products 
thereof 130 9.3 5-15 4.9 0.0 
09 Wood and articles of wood  211 1.2 0-10 3.0 83.9  
10 Pulp of wood, paper and paperboard 196 6.1 0-15 4.0 19.4 
11 Textiles and clothing 1,165  7.2 0-20 4.9 21.5  
12 Footwear, headgear, etc.  106 12.3 0-15 4.4 7.5 
13 Articles of stone, plaster, cement 238  8.4 0-10 2.7 7.1  WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 85 - 
 
   Number 
of lines Average 
(%) Range (%) Standard 
deviation Duty free 
(%) 
14 Precious stones and metals, pearls 
etc. 56 5.3 0-10 4.1 30.4 
15 Base metals and articles thereof 954  0.9 0-15 2.7 89.4  
16 Machinery, electrical equipment, etc. 1,373  3.8 0-10 4.0 48.7 
17 Transport equipment 265  2.9 0-10 2.8 46.4  
18 Precision equipment 322 4.1 0-10 4.2 46.6 
19 Arms and ammunition 22  10.0 10-10  0.0 0.0  
20 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 212 7.2 0-11 4.1 20.8 
21 Works of art, etc. 7  7.1 0-10 4.5 28.6  
Note: Calculations for averages are based on national tariff line level (9 digit). Including ad valorem  part of 
compound rates. Figures in bracke ts include AVEs, as available.  
Source: WTO Secretariat calculations, based on da ta provided by the Moldovan authorities.  WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 86 - 
 
  Table A3. 2 Overview of governme nt procurement statistics, 2009-14 
Type of 
procurement No Procurement 
method Total No. 
of 
procurements  Total No. 
of 
contracts  Share of 
each 
category 
by 
number 
of 
contracts 
(%) Contract 
million 
value 
(MDL) Share of 
each 
category 
by total 
contact 
value of 
contracts 
(%) 
2009 
Procedures 
performed by 
publication of 
notice in Public 
Procurement 
Bulletin 1 Open, held in 
paper format 2,049 15,402 45.46 3,025 66.89 
2 Request for 
quotation 
published in 
the Public 
Procurement 
Bulletin, held in 
paper format 1,649 3,943 11.64 451 9.98 
Procedures 
performed without publication of notice in the Public Procurement Bulletin 3 Request for 
quotation without publication in Public Procurement Bulletin 3,696 1,762 5.20 205 4,53 
4 Request for 
quotation coordinated within District Councils, mun. Chişinău, mun. 
Balti and 
Gagauzia .. 11,501 33.94 559 12,36 
Direct 
contracting 5 Single source .. 1,276 3.77% 282 6.25 
Total 2009 .. 33,884  100 4,523 100  
2010 
Procedures 
performed by publication of notice in the Public Procurement Bulletin 1 Open, held in 
paper format .. 14,725 38.00 3,525 62.47 
2 Request for 
quotation published in the Public Procurement Bulletin, held in paper format in paper format .. 2,986 8.00 281 4.98 
Procedures 
performed 
without 
publishing the 
notice in Public 
Procurement 
Bulletin  3 Request for 
quotation 
without 
publication in 
Public 
Procurement 
Bulletin .. 4,816 13.00 503 8.92 
4 Request for 
quotation 
coordinated 
within District 
Councils, mun. 
Chişinău, mun. 
Balti and 
Gagauzia .. 14,053 37.00 700 12.41 
Direct 
contracting 5 Single source .. 1,603 4.00 632 11.20 
Total 2010 .. 38,183  100 5,642 100 WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 87 - 
 
  Type of 
procurement No Procurement 
method Total No. 
of 
procurements  Total No. 
of 
contracts  Share of 
each 
category 
by 
number 
of 
contracts 
(%) Contract 
million 
value 
(MDL) Share of 
each 
category 
by total 
contact 
value of 
contracts 
(%) 
2011 
Procedures 
performed by 
publication of 
notice in Public 
Procurement 
Bulletin 1 Open, held in 
paper format 2,534 16,537 38.95 3,659 66.80 
2 Request for 
quotation 
published in 
the Public 
Procurement 
Bulletin, held in 
paper format 2,350 3,606 8.49 304 5.55 
Procedures 
performed without publication if the notice in Public Procurement Bulletin  3 Request for 
quotation without publication in Public Procurement Bulletin 4,275 4,478 10.55 503 9.19 
4 Request for 
quotation coordinated within District Councils, mun. Chişinău, mun. 
Balti and Gagauzia .. 15,106 35.58 705 12.89 
Direct 
contracting 5 Single source .. 2,734 6.44 305 5.57 
Total 2011 ..  42,461  100 5,477 100  
2012 
Procedures 
performed by publication of the notice in Public Procurement Bulletin 2 Open, held in 
paper format 2,437 16,529 43.10 4,252 72.35 
3 Carried out 
through open tenders via SIA RSAP 122 104 0.27 67 1.14 
4 Request for 
quotation published in the Public Procurement Bulletin, held in paper format 6,019 8,698 22.68 685 11.66 
5 Request for 
quotation published in the Public Procurement Bulletin, conducted via SIA RSAP 64 34 0.09 4.7 0.08 
Procedures 
performed 
without 
publishing the 
notice in Public 
Procurement 
Bulletin 6 Request for 
quotation 
without 
publication in 
Public 
Procurement 
Bulletin 1,246 11,246 29.32 512 8.73 
Direct 
contracting 7 Single source .. 1,742 4.54 355 6.04 
Total 2012 .. 38,353  100 5,878 100 WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 88 - 
 
  Type of 
procurement No Procurement 
method Total No. 
of 
procurements  Total No. 
of 
contracts  Share of 
each 
category 
by 
number 
of 
contracts 
(%) Contract 
million 
value 
(MDL) Share of 
each 
category 
by total 
contact 
value of 
contracts 
(%) 
2013 
Procedures 
performed by 
publication of 
the notice in 
Public 
Procurement 
Bulletin 1 Framework 
Agreement 5 14 0.04 1.0 0.01 
2 Open, held in 
paper format 2,292 15,728 45.65 3 50.89 
3 Carried out 
through open 
tenders via SIA 
RSAP 697 1,004 2.91 2,094 28.01 
4 Request for 
quotation 
published in 
the Public 
Procurement 
Bulletin, held in 
paper format 6,693 13,048 37.87 952 12.75 
5 Request for 
quotation 
published in 
the Public 
Procurement 
Bulletin, 
conducted via 
SIA RSAP 388 377 1.09 43 0.58 
Procedures 
performed without publication of the notice in Public 
Procurement 
Bulletin 6 Request for 
quotation without publication in Public Procurement 
Bulletin 2,485 3,152 9.15 206 2.76 
Direct 
contracting 7 Single source .. 1,133 3.29 373 4.99 
Total 2013 ..  34,456  100 7,475 100  
2014 
Procedures 
performed by publication of the notice in Public Procurement Bulletin 1 Framework 
Agreement 24 79 0.22 7.7 0.07 
2 Open, held in 
paper format 2,446 13,772 38.00 4,912 45.32 
3 Carried out 
through open tenders via SIA RSAP 1,450 2,469 6.81 3,591 33.14 
4 Request for 
quotation published in the Public Procurement Bulletin, held in paper format 8,086 14,313 39.49 1,561 14.40 
5 Request for 
quotation 
published in 
the Public Procurement Bulletin, conducted via SIA RSAP 1,254 1,340 3.70 165 1.53 WT/TPR/S/323/Rev.1 • Republic of Moldova 
 
- 89 - 
 
  Type of 
procurement No Procurement 
method Total No. 
of 
procurements  Total No. 
of 
contracts  Share of 
each 
category 
by 
number 
of 
contracts 
(%) Contract 
million 
value 
(MDL) Share of 
each 
category 
by total 
contact 
value of 
contracts 
(%) 
Procedures 
performed 
without 
publication of 
the notice in 
Public 
Procurement 
Bulletin  6 Request for 
quotation 
without 
publication in 
Public 
Procurement 
Bulletin 2,503 2,938 8.11 220 2.03 
Direct 
contracting 7 Single source .. 1,334 3.68 379 3.50 
Total 2014 .. 36,245  100 10,839 100 
.. Not available.  
Source: Information provided by the Moldovan authorities.  
__________