Development and Implementation of the National Transit System of the Moldova’s Customs Service

A very good afternoon and thank you for the opportunity to join you today.

Let me first compliment the Customs Service for the important continuity in service amidst multiple crises – from Covid-19 and followed by the significant war-related trade disruptions - that have altogether posed significant challenges not only for the private sector, but also on the country’s public services in facilitating smooth transportation of goods from/to and through Moldova.

The project we are launching today, will further improve trade facilitation and operational capacity of the Customs Service in the context of implementation of the EU - Moldova Association Agreement and the Strategic Framework for EU-Republic of Moldova Customs Cooperation. The development and implementation of National Transit System will also further prepare the Republic of Moldova for accession to the Common Transit Convention.

The EU continues to be a major strategic partner of the United Nations in Moldova and the support through the EU for this project to further strengthen the Customs Service and improve trade facilitation is exceptionally important.

This project will be delivered with the support of UNCTAD, who since 2005 has been providing support for digitalization of Moldova’s Customs Service operations and facilitation of revenue collection – including with the ASYCUDA World Automated System for Customs Data. Being the first country in the world to use this system which is now a global standard. The implementation of ASYCUDA is a critical step for many countries in their efforts to modernize and improve customs and trade processes.

In the current context where many global and regional supply chains are being disrupted, it is important to ensure that business of all sizes involved in cross-border trade have one-stop-shop access and simplified customs clearance procedures facilitating the flow of goods and reducing trade bottlenecks.

While for the Government it is imperative to have access to reliable data on trade to take timely and evidence-based decisions, but also to minimize opportunities fraud and corruption practices.

Operational efficiencies also help to attract investors and to keep local companies competitive, supporting the Customs Service’s role as an enabler of trade.

This is important as trade related issues and measures will play an exceptionally important role in the speed and the depth of the economic recovery in Moldova in the upcoming years.  At present, almost 42% of Moldova’s active private sector companies are engaged in trade, while about two thirds of Moldova’s external trade is with the European Union. Consequently, aligning customs and trade practices with the EU standards and regulations in combination with other measures will help Moldova in the EU accession preparedness.

The 24 UN agencies, funds and programmes in Moldova remain committed to supporting the government in its economic and social development. This UNCTAD support through the collaboration with the EU is complementing these efforts and helping Moldova to align their customs processes and trade facilitation measures with EU customs standards.