Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka and State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy of Moldova Vadim Gumene have discussed trade protection issues between the countries during a meeting of the Ukrainian-Moldovan working group, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine has reported.“Some of the issues of bilateral trade, which we today [on November 16] are raising at the meeting, have been discussed for several years. Resolving trade disputes, in particular on ensuring an equal and transparent approach to Ukrainian exporters in accordance with the principles of the World Trade Organization, will be favorable strengthening Ukrainian-Moldovan trade relations and increasing the dynamics and bilateral trade,” the press service of the ministry said on the website, citing Kachka.As the ministry said, the Moldovan side raised the issue of the use by Ukraine of anti-dumping duties on the import of cement, rods from carbon and other alloy steels originating from Moldova to Ukraine. At the same time, the Ministry of Economy said that Ukraine has already begun an interim revision of anti-dumping measures for the import of cement into Ukraine from the Rybnitsa Cement Plant (Moldova).The Ukrainian side, in turn, raised the issue of amendments to the legislation of Moldova on displaying at least 50% of food products produced and/or processed on the territory of Moldova on trade shelves in retail chains. “Such a decision may negatively affect the volume of supplies from Ukraine of products falling under the specified restrictions. We are talking about the amount of almost $170 million,” the ministry said.In addition, the issue of environmental fee in Moldova, including from importers, for goods in plastic or tetrapack packaging, remains open. The low internal control in Moldova over the payment of environmental fees by local producers is worrying, while Ukrainian companies bear double costs, the ministry said.The Ukrainian side also raised the issue of customs clearance of goods exported to Moldova. In particular, problems are caused by the frequency of checks of Ukrainian goods and the additional costs incurred by Ukrainian companies.“The results of today’s discussions will be considered during a meeting of the joint intergovernmental Ukrainian-Moldovan commission on trade and economic cooperation, which will take place in the near future,” the ministry said.
