To ensure the successful implementation of its commitments under the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation, the Republic of Moldova has integrated the recommendations from the UNECE study on regulatory and procedural barriers to trade into its National Action Plan for Trade Facilitation.

The Plan, which was adopted on 30 November 2017, comprises 91 actions, with an estimated budget of over 137.1 million EUR and will be implemented by 14 State agencies in collaboration with the private sector under the guidance of the National Trade Facilitation Committee. UNECE is working closely with the Republic of Moldova to create the required partnerships for ensuring the successful implementation of the strategy.

The National Action Plan goes beyond customs operations to address capacity shortfalls of agencies involved in supporting trade activities as per the UNECE recommendations. For example, the Plan stipulates strengthening the capacities of the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) with integrated management information system for streamlining and standardizing the issuance of permissive documents; the management of food safety registries; and supporting automated exchange of data with authorities in the European Union and Commonwealth of Independent States countries. It also involves expanding the capacities of the National Accreditation Center of the Republic of Moldova (MOLDAC) in new areas of accreditation, so that it could join the European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA) Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) and International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) mutual recognition agreement (MRA).

The plan also features a special focus on creating the required mechanisms (e.g. websites and strengthened support institutions) for keeping the private sector abreast of applied trade-related rules and regulations and ensuring their active involvement in decision-making processes.