RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE WT/ACC/MOL/3
13May1997
ORGANIZATION(97-2002)
Original: English
ACCESSION OFTHE REPUBLIC OFMOLDOVA
Questions andReplies
totheMemorandum ontheForeign Trade Régime
(Document WT/ACC/MOL/2)
Inacommunication, dated 12December 1995 (WT/ACC/MOL/1), theGovernment ofthe
Republic ofMoldova applied foraccession under Article XIIoftheMarrakesh Agreement Establishing
theWorld Trade Organization (WTO). Having regard totheDecision adopted bytheGeneral Council
on31January 1995, theexisting Working Party ontheAccession oftheRepublic ofMoldova tothe
GATT 1947continued asaWTO Working Party withthefollowing terms ofreference: "Toexamine
theapplication oftheGovernment oftheRepublic ofMoldova toaccede totheWTO Agreement under
Article XII,andtosubmit totheGeneral Council recommendations which mayinclude adraftProtocol
ofAccession." Themembership isopentoallWTO Members indicating theirwishtoserve onthe
Working Party.
Indocument WT/ACC/MOL/2, Members hadbeeninvited tosubmit questions inwriting
concerning theforeign trade régime ofMoldova. Theinitial questions submitted byMembers and
thereplies thereto provided bytheauthorities ofMoldova arereproduced hereunder. Theattachments
mentioned inthis document submitted totheWorking Party arelisted indocument
WT/ACC/MOL/3/Add.1 andareavailable intheSecretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126) for
consultation. Replies totheadditional questions submitted byMembers willbecirculated indocument
WT/ACC/MOL/4.
DelegationswishingtoraiseadditionalquestionsconcerningtheforeigntraderégimeofMoldova
might inform theauthorities ofMoldova (with acopytotheSecretariat) ofsuchquestions inadvance
ofthenextmeeting oftheWorking Party, sothatconsidered replies canbemade available byMoldova
toMembers atthetimeoftheWorking Party meeting.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Pageii
TABLE OFCONTENTS
Page
No.Question
No.
II. ECONOMY, ECONOMIC POLICIES AND FOREIGN TRADE
2. Economic Policies
(a) Main directions ofcurrent economic policies 1 1-5
(b) Monetary andfiscal policies 2 6-7
(d) Foreign anddomestic investment policies inMoldova 3 8-10
(e) Competition policies 5 11-12
III. FRAMEWORK FOR MAKING AND ENFORCING POLICIES
AFFECTING FOREIGN TRADE INGOODS AND TRADE IN
SERVICES
2. Government Entities Responsible forMaking andImplementing
Policies Affecting Foreign Trade 6 13-14
3. Division ofAuthority Between Central andSub-central Governments
7 15-16
4. Programmes orPlans toChange theRegulatory Regime 7 17
IV. POLICIES AFFECTING TRADE INGOODS
1. Import Regulation
(a) Registration requirements forengaging inimporting 8 18
(b) Characteristics ofnational tariff 8 19-20
(c) Tariff quotas, tariff exemptions 12 21-24
(d) Other duties andcharges 13 25-26
(e) Quantitative import restrictions 14 27-28
(f) Import licensing procedures (Annex 3refers) 14 29-41
(h) Customs valuation 18 42-43
(j) Pre-shipment inspection 19 44
(k) Application ofinternal taxes onimports 19 45-54
(l-m) Rules oforigin andAnti-dumping régime 21 55-59
(o) Safeguard régime 22 60-61
2. Export Regulation
(a) Registration requirements forengaging inexporting 23 62
(b) Customs tariff nomenclature 23 63-64
(c) Quantitative export restrictions 24 65-69
(d) Export licensing procedures 25 70-84
(e) Other measures 30 85-88
(f) Export financing, subsidy andpromotion policies 31 89
3. Internal Policies ofMoldova Affecting Foreign Trade inGoods
(a) Industrial policy, including subsidy policies 31 90-93
(b) Technical regulations andstandards (Annex 5refers) 32 94-103WT/ACC/MOL/3
Pageiii
Page
No.Question
No.
(c) Sanitary andphytosanitary measures 37 104
(e) State-trading practices 37 105-106
(f) Freezones 37 107-108
(g) Freeeconomic zones 38 109-110
(j) Government-mandated counter-trade andbarter 38 111-112
(l) Government procurement practices 39 113-136
4. Policies Affecting Foreign Trade inAgricultural Products 48 137
(c) Export prohibitions andrestrictions 48 138
V. TRADE RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME
1. General 49 139
2. Substantive Standards ofProtection
(a) Copyright andrelated rights 50 140-141
(b) Trademarks 51 142-145
(c) Geographical indications 52 146-148
(d) Industrial designs 52 149-150
(e) Patents 53 151-154
(f) Protection ofplant varieties 54 155
(g) Layout designs ofintegrated circuits 54 156
(h) Protection ofundisclosed information 54 157
4. Enforcement 55 158-160
VI. TRADE-RELATED SERVICES REGIME
1. General 55 161-164
Financial services 57 165-168
Telecommunications services 58 169-176
Audiovisual services 61 177-178
Professional services 62 179-180
Accounting andauditing services 63 181-187
Transport services 64 188-191
VII. INSTITUTIONAL BASE FOR MOLDOVA 'STRADE AND
ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH THIRD COUNTRIES 67 192-197WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page1
II. ECONOMY, ECONOMIC POLICIES AND FOREIGN TRADE
2. Economic Policies
(a) Main directions ofcurrent economic policies
Question 1.
Arethere anyrestrictions toforeign participation intheprivatization programme (e.g.specific
sectors from which foreign participation isexcluded, general restrictions such asceiling levels
offoreign participation)?
Answer:
The1997-1998 Privatization Programme hasbeensubmitted toParliament andisnowinits
second reading. Except forcompanies inwhich aforeign State holds ashare of10percentormore
whichareexcludedfromparticipatingintheProgramme,therearenorestrictionstoforeignparticipation.
Once approved byParliament, Moldova willsubmit acopy ofthePrivatization Programme tothe
Working Party.
Question 2.
Areanysectors excluded from theprivatization programme?
Answer:
Nosectorsareexcludedfromtheprivatizationprogramme.Alistofenterprisesandotherobjects
which arenotsubject toprivatization iscurrently being discussed inthecontext ofthe1997-1998
Privatization Programme. Thelistwillbesubmitted totheWorking Party assoonasitcomes available.
Question 3.
Arethere anyconditions attached totheparticipation offoreign investors intheprivatization
programme? Ifso,dothese restrictions alsoapply topotential domestic investors?
Answer:
Nospecific conditions other thanthose fordomestic investors areattached totheparticipation
offoreign investors intheprivatization programme. Allunitstobeprivatized areoffered through public
tenders opentobothdomestic andforeign investors under thesame terms andconditions.
Question 4.
Canforeigners ownland?
Answer:
ForeignerscanbecomelandownersinMoldovaasaresultofalegacyorofapurchasingcontract.
Atpresent thereisamoratorium onthesaleoflandexcept forbuilt-up land,which canbetraded freely.
However, adraftlawonthesaleoflandisnowinpreparation andMoldova willmake acopyofthe
drafttextavailable induecourse.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page2
Question 5.
Areanygoods orservices subject toprice control?
Answer:
There arenoprice controls fortheprivate sector. TheGovernment sets,however, theprices
forenergy supplied byState-owned utilities (which aremonopoly providers), housing inState-owned
buildings,andsubsidizesthebreadprice.ThepricessetbytheGovernmentarelowerthancost-of-service
prices forsocial reasons. Theenergy prices aregradually raised tocostrecovering levelintheframework
ofanagreement withtheIMF.
(b) Monetary andfiscal policies
Question 6.
TheMoldovan definition ofprofit doesnotfullyacknowledge thecostsoflabour. Isthisdefinition
applied equally toforeign anddomestic enterprises? How isthededuction forcostoflabour
calculated?
Answer:
Inthepast,labour costscould onlybededucted uptoanaverage ofsixminimum salaries per
employee. Corporate taxesofcompanies wereassessed ontheprofit thuscalculated. Companies could
payhigher wages andsalaries buttheamount exceeding sixminimum salaries hadtotaken outofthe
netprofit. However, thispractice hasbeendiscontinued. Nowlabour costs canbefullydeducted and
companies areassessed forcorporate taxafteralllabour costshavebeendeducted. Foreign anddomestic
enterprises aretreated inthesame wayinthisrespect.
AcopyofthenewTaxCode which hasbeenadopted byParliament inJanuary 1997isavailable
forconsultation intheSecretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126).
Question 7.
WenotethatMoldova applies theprinciple ofcountry oforigin ontrade withCIScountries and
theprinciple ofcountry ofdestination ontrade withnon-CIS countries. Could Moldova explain
thereasons behind this? Does Moldova plantoremove thisinconsistent application?
CouldMoldovaconfirmthatexcisetaxesareappliedequallytodomesticallyproducedandimported
goods?
Areimported rawmaterials usedinfootwear andtextiles production exempt from VAT?
Answer:
(i) Theprinciple oforigin wasinitially applied byallCIScountries withregard totradebetween
them. In1996Ukraine hasmoved unilaterally totheprinciple ofdestination which hascreated
some problems inbilateral trade relations, notably double taxation forMoldovan exports and
taxexemption forUkrainian products.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page3
Intergovernmental talksbetween CIScountries wereheld, e.g.inChisinau inMay1996 and
inYerevan inOctober 1996, toprepare adraft decision forallCIScountries toapply the
principle ofdestination. Moldova supports thisproposal anditsGovernment approved atax
reform concept which includes theapplication oftheprinciple ofdestination forVATpurposes
inallofitsforeign trade, including withCIScountries.
TheMinistry ofFinance iscurrently preparing anewdraftlawonVAT which willestablish
theprinciple ofdestination. Itisexpected thattheprinciple ofdestination willcome intoeffect
nolaterthanJanuary 1998.
(ii) Asforexcise taxes, Moldova isalsoapplying theprinciple oforigin initstrade relations with
CIScountries. There aretwoexceptions. First, Russian oilandoilproducts aresubject toexcise
taxinMoldova. Second, Moldovan products aresubject toRussian excise taxes according to
Russian excise regulations.
Theswitch totheprinciple ofdestination withregard toexcise taxes isalsoaddressed inthe
intergovernmental talksreferred tounder (i).Moldova supports theproposal tomove tothe
principle ofdestination.
TheMinistry ofFinance hassetupataskforce toprepare thelegislative measures toestablish
theprinciple ofdestination forexcise duties inMoldova 'strade relations withCIScountries.
Itisexpected thattheprinciple ofdestination willcome intoeffect nolaterthanJanuary 1998.
Atpresentdifferentlevelsofexcisedutyarechargedfordomesticallyproducedandforimported
goods. Moldova recognizes thatthispractice isincompatible withtheprovisions ofArticle III
oftheGATT 1994. Moldova willadjust itslegislation accordingly. Thechanges should take
effect nolaterthanJanuary 1998.
(iii) Under thepresent VAT regulations (Article 5oftheLawonVAT) imported rawmaterials,
including those usedinfootwear andtextiles production, areVAT exempt. TheVAT islevied
onthefinalproduct. Ifthefinalproduct isexported, however, noVATispayable. Thissystem
issometimes referred toas'co-operational contract between enterprises 'oras'temporary
import '.Thereform oftheVAT system referred tounder (i)will,however, include thesetting
upofafullinvoice/credit system, whereby VAT islevied ateachstage ofproduction.
(iv) Theexemption ofimports fromRomania fromexcise dutyhasbeendiscontinued. Initstrade
relations withRomania Moldova nowapplies theprinciple ofdestination.
(d) Foreign anddomestic investment policies inMoldova
Question 8.
Areanyadditional incentives (other thanthetaxholiday) toforeign investment being considered
bytheGovernment orbytheParliament?
Answer:
Other thanthose stipulated bytheForeign Investment Lawanditssubsequent amendments,
there arenoadditional incentives forforeign investment being considered bytheGovernment orthe
Parliament.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page4
Question 9.
Isthere anydomestic legal protection forforeign investors incases ofexpropriation?
Answer:
According toArticle 39oftheForeign Investment Law,incaseofexpropriation, nationalization
orother equivalent measures, compensation should correspond tothevalue ofalienated investment.
Compensation hasbepaidnotlaterthanthreemonths afterthemeasure hadbeentaken including accrued
interest calculated onthebasis ofanappropriate interest rate.
Theamendment totheForeign Investment Lawgrants theforeign investor therighttochallenge
incourt thelawfulness oftheexpropriation, nationalization orequivalent measure andtheamount of
thecompensation.
Moreover, Moldova isamember oftheMultilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).
Question 10.
Moldova states thattheestablishment ofacompany withforeign investment “generally ”does
notrequire approval. Under what circumstances, additional tothose referred toinsection (d),
isapproval required?
Section (d)suggests thattheagricultural sector istreated differently forthepurposes offoreign
investment. Isthiscorrect? Ifso,please provide details.
TheMoldovan Government hasreserved theright tolimit orprohibit activities ortoestablish
certain fields ofactivity where theundertakings offoreign firms arelimited orprohibited. Do
these restrictions apply tofirms with some foreign investment? What isthelevel offoreign
investment allowed inadomestic firmbefore itisclassified asaforeign firm?
Arethere anycriteria/conditions additional tothose specified intheMemorandum forcompanies
tobenefit from thetaxandcustoms incentives offered intheForeign Investment Act?Aredomestic
firms eligible for“taxandcustoms incentives ”?Ifso,please provide details oftheincentives offered
andeligibility criteria.
Answer:
(i) There arenoadditional conditions toregister acompany withforeign investment other than
those mentioned insection (d).Theterm"generally" refers totherestrictions withregard to
Statesecurity, anti-trust legislation, environmental protection, public health andmoral norms.
(ii) Theregulations stipulated intheLawonForeign Investment cover alleconomic sectors,
including agriculture. However, asagricultural landcannot yetbesoldthepossibilities for
foreign investment inagricultural (primary) production aresomewhat limited compared tothe
industry orservices sectors. Therestriction onthesaleofagricultural landapplies toallkinds
ofpotential buyers, betheynatural orlegal, foreign ordomestic persons. Liketheirdomestic
counterparts, companies withforeign capital have, nonetheless, theright toexploit rented
agricultural land.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page5
(iii) Theareas ofactivity forwhich theMoldovan Government reserves theright torestrict the
operations offoreign firms areonlythose mentioned insection (d)andrepeated under (i)above.
They apply alsotodomestic firms orfirms withmixed capital.
(iv) Moldova grants companies withforeign investment, betheywholly orpartially foreign owned,
thesamerights asdomestic companies. Inaddition tothese, companies withforeign investment
enjoy certain privileges notavailable todomestic firms. With regard tothese additional
privileges theForeign Investment Actprovides fortwosetsofincentives.
First, there areincentives available toallfirms withaforeign investment share. Nominimum
levelofforeign investment, inabsolute orinrelative terms, isrequired. Thissetofincentives
includes:
- exemption fromcustoms dutyforgoods usedintheproduction ofgoods tobeexported;
- guaranteesincaseofexpropriation,coercivesuspensionofactivities,forthefreetransfer
offunds inforeign currency, andagainst future amendments oflegalacts.
Second, therearefurther incentives available onlytocompanies withaforeign investment share
ofUS$250,000 ormore andwhich earnatleast50percentoftheirincome fromtheirown
production. These are:
- afiveyearexemption from 50percentoftheprofit (corporate) tax;
- exemption from taxoninvestment fornewcapital construction.
(e) Competition policies
Question 11.
Please listtheenterprises included intheState Register ofcompanies which aremajor producers
inthedomestic market andindicate what eachofthese companies produces.
Answer:
Atthebeginning ofthetransition process large former State companies were automatically
considered monopolists because theyweretheonlyMoldovan supplier intheirdomains. Inreality they
had,however, often onlyasmall share ofthemarket, especially asmore andmore foreign products
were imported.
Against thisbackground theGovernment nolonger compiles thislist.Thelastlistofthistype
wascompiled for1994. Acopyofthatlistisavailable forconsultation intheSecretariat (Accessions
Division, Room 1126).
Question 12.
How does Moldova ’sLaw “OnMonopoly Activities Limitation andtheDevelopment of
Competition ”dealwithvertical andhorizontal restraint arrangements?
What recourse doforeign firms have ifopportunities areimpaired bysucharrangements?
Doforeign firms have access tocompetition authorities?WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page6
Areexclusive dealership arrangements allowed under theCompetition Law? Ifso,doanyexclusive
dealerships existinMoldova, inwhat form andforwhat products?
Answer:
(i) Vertical andhorizontal restraint arrangements areforbidden bytheMoldovan Law"On
Monopoly Activities Limitation andtheDevelopment ofCompetition":
- ifoneoftheparties hasadominant market position, i.e.amarket share of35percent
ormore; and
- ifthearrangement leads orcanleadtorestricting competition.
Article 4(1)banshorizontal arrangements; Article 4(2)vertical arrangements. Thedecision
whether ornotspecific arrangements violate theLawistaken bytheCommittee onEconomic
Reform (CER). Proceedings maybeinitiated bybusinesses, regulatory authorities, consumers
associations, trade unions ortheCER onitsowninitiative.
(ii) Foreign firms, likedomestic firms, havetherighttofilecomplaints atthePublic Prosecutor 's
Office.
(iii) Competition ismonitored byaunitintheMinistry ofEconomy towhich foreign firms have
access.
(iv) Exclusive dealerships areallowed byMoldovan Lawiftheydonotcontravene theprovisions
ofArticle 4(2)mentioned above. Asforexisting exclusive dealerships, sucharrangements
neednotberegistered andtheGovernment doesnotkeeparegister ofsucharrangements.
III. FRAMEWORKFORMAKINGANDENFORCINGPOLICIESAFFECTINGFOREIGN
TRADE INGOODS AND TRADE INSERVICES
2. Government Entities Responsible forMaking andImplementing Policies Affecting Foreign
Trade
Question 13.
Please explain more precisely theroleofthe“Governmental Commission forRegulation ofForeign
Trade, Technical Assistance andHumanitarian Aid”inrelation tothedevelopment and
implementation ofMoldova ’sforeign trade policy.
How isco-ordination between theDepartment forForeign Economic Relations andthe
Governmental Commission assured?
Answer:
TheGovernmental Commission fortheRegulation ofForeign Trade, Technical Assistance
andHumanitarian Aidnolonger exists. Atpresent, nodecision hasbeentaken whether, inconnection
withtheformation ofthenewGovernment, anewCommission willbecreated.
Question 14.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page7
What process willbeneeded tocomplete national procedures relating toWTO accession? Will
implementing legislation berequired?
Answer:
Theaccession protocol willhavetoberatified bytheMoldovan Parliament andnofurther
implementing legislation fortheaccession willberequired.
3. Division ofAuthority Between Central andSub-central Governments
Question 15.
Does theGagauz-Yeri region have anyauthority toregulate trade inanywayortoimpose any
taxes (particularly ongoods)? Ifso,please specify.
Answer:
TheGagauz-Yeri region hasnoauthority toregulate trade orimpose VAT orexcise taxes.
However, theregional authorities may, according totheLawonLocal Taxes, impose localtaxes. If
andwhensuchtaxesareimposedthesechargeswillbeappliedonanationaltreatmentbasisinconformity
withtherelevant WTO provisions.
Question 16.
Does anyother sub-central entity have anyauthority toregulate trade inanywayortoimpose
anytaxes (particularly ongoods)? Ifso,please specify.
Answer:
Noother sub-central entity hasanyauthority toregulate trade orimpose taxes.
4. Programmes orPlans toChange theRegulatory Regime
Question 17.
Does Moldova intend tosubmit toWTO Working Party members forcomment anylegislation
(particularly thenewForeign Trade Law) whilst itisstillinadraft form?
Answer:
MoldovawelcomesanycommentbyWTOMembersonproposedlegislationrelatedtoitsforeign
trade regime. Together withthese answers Moldova hassubmitted thetextsorcopies ofthedrafts
ofthefollowing lawsorGovernment Decisions which areavailable forconsultation intheSecretariat
(Accessions Division, Room 1126):
- LawonForeign Trade Activity (draft);
- LawontheCustoms Tariff (draft);
- Resolution No.99onCustoms valuation (already adopted bytheGovernment);
- LawonGovernment Procurement (draft);
- Decision ontheMechanism ofPublic Procurement (already adopted bytheGovernment);WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page8
- LawonStandardization (already adopted byParliament);
- Decision ontheOrganization ofStandardization andMetrology Activities (already adopted
bytheGovernment);
- TaxCode (already adopted byParliament);
- LawonVAT (already adopted byParliament);
- Extract oftheBudget Lawfor1997 (draft);
- LawonAudio-Visual Services (already adopted byParliament);
- LawonTrademarks andAppellations ofOrigin (already adopted byParliament);
- Copyright Law(already adopted byParliament);
- Patent Law(already adopted byParliament);
- LawonPlant Variety Protection (already adopted byParliament); and,
- LawonSecurities (already adopted byParliament).
Moreover, Moldova submits apolicy paper onitstaxreform entitled "Concept oftheTax
Reform".Copiesoffurtherlawsandregulationswillbesubmittedastheybecomeavailableortranslated,
respectively.
IV. POLICIES AFFECTING TRADE INGOODS
1. Import Regulation
(a) Registration requirements forengaging inimporting
Question 18.
Cannatural persons engage inimportation activities? Ifnot,whynot?
Answer:
Natural persons canengage inimportation activities. Under thecurrent lawgoods subject to
import licensing canonlybeimported byfirms.
(b) Characteristics ofnational tariff
Question 19.
When doesMoldova intend tobring itstariff nomenclature intolinewiththeHS96system?
Answer:
Moldova intends tointroduce theHS1996 system from 1January 1998.
Question 20.
Could Moldova please provide thefollowing information onthem.f.n. rates initsnational customs
tariff: thesimple average; thetrade weighted average; andtheminimum andmaximum tariff
rates, onachapter-by-chapter basis?
Answer:WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page9
Moldovan National Tariff
Average Tariff Rates
Description Year Percentage
Simple average 1995 9.5%
Simple average 1996 n.a.*
Trade weighted average 1995 5.9%
Trade weighted average 1996 4.8%
(using 1995 weights)*
* Asimple average for1996 hasnotbeencalculated asthe1996 tariff included anumber of
relatively highfixed dutyrates. When calculating theweighed average these could beignored asthere
havenotbeenimportant import volumes inthese tariff lines.
Minimum andMaximum Tariff Rates byChapter
(asof31December 1996)
Chapter Minimum in% Maximum in%
1 0 20
2 20 20
3 0 20
4 0 20
5 20 20
6 20 20
7 0 20
8 15 50
9 0 10
10 0 0
11 0 0
12 0 0
13 0 0
14 20 20
15 0 20
16 20 20
17 0 20
18 0 40
19 30 30
20 20 20
21 20 20
22 0 20*WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page10
Chapter Minimum in% Maximum in%
23 0 0
24 15 15*
25 10 20
26 5 5
27 0 0
28 5 5
29 0 5
30 0 0
31 0 0
32 0 0
33 0 15
34 5 5
35 10 10
36 20 20
37 0 15
38 0 0
39 0 0
40 0 0
41 0 0
42 20 20
43 20 20
44 0 20
45 0 0
46 20 20
47 0 0
48 0 20
49 0 0
50 0 0
51 0 0
52 0 0
53 0 0
54 0 0
55 0 0
56 0 20
57 20 20
58 15 15
59 15 15
60 0 0WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page11
Chapter Minimum in% Maximum in%
61 20 20
62 0 20
63 0 20
64 0 15
65 20 20
66 0 20
67 20 20
68 15 20
69 0 20
70 10 20
71 5 30
72 0 0
73 0 0
74 0 0
75 0 0
76 0 0
77 0 0
78 0 0
79 0 0
80 0 0
81 5 5
82 10 10
83 0 10
84 0 20
85 0 30
86 0 0
87 0 10**
88 0 0
89 0 0
90 0 0
91 20 20
92 15 15
93 20 20
94 0 30
95 0 20
96 5 20
97 0 20
* These chapters alsoinclude fixed rates. SeeCustoms Tariff fordetails.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page12
** Thischapter includes special ratesformotor vehicles. SeeCustoms Tariff fordetails.
(c) Tariff quotas, tariff exemptions
Question 21.
Aretariff exemptions (except those applied inthecontext ofaCustoms Union orFree Trade
Agreement) applied onanm.f.n. basis?
Answer:
Tariff exemptions other thanthose provided forinthecontext ofacustoms union orafree
trade agreement areapplied onanm.f.n. basis, except fortheexemption ofgoods originating from
least-developedcountrieswhichisinconformitywiththe"EnablingClause"(DecisionoftheContracting
Parties of28November 1979).
Question 22.
With regard totheexemption granted tosome products originating inCIScountries; Article I
oftheGATT 1994 requires application ofthem.f.n. principle, whilst Article XXIV allows for
exceptions forregional integration initiatives where these arecompatible withtherequirements
ofArticle XXIV andoftheUnderstanding onthatArticle. IsMoldova prepared toundertake
thatexemptions willonlybegiven tothird countries inthecontext ofaWTO-compatible free
trade agreement orcustoms union agreement?
Answer:
Moldova isprepared toundertake thatexemptions willonlybegranted tothirdcountries in
thecontext ofWTO-compatible freetrade orcustoms union agreements, except forgoods originating
inleast-developed countries referred tointheprevious answer.
Question 23.
Please provide afulllistofthetypes ofimports which benefit from tariff exemptions andwhich
arealluded tointhelastsentence ofthissection.
Answer:
Charitable donations aregoods offered free-of-charge torecognized charity institutions such
asorphanages,churches,centresforthedisabled,etc.Charitabledonationsmaycomefromorganizations
suchastheRedCross, Caritas, Kolping-Werk, Brot-für-die-Welt orfromindividuals. Goods donated
forcharitablepurposesareexemptfromcustomsduty.Forgoodsimportedunderco-operationalcontracts
seenextanswer.
Question 24.
Please clarify what iscovered bytheexemption forimports of“goods under co-operational
contracts ”.
Answer:WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page13
‘Co-operational contracts ’refers totheGSPsystem oftheEuropean Union andagreements
oftechnical cooperation between Moldova anditspartners. Theterm 'co-operational contract 'is
sometimes alsousedtorefertocontracts between enterprises inthecontext oftemporary imports. For
these refertosection II.2(b).
Goods imported fortheuseinprojects oftechnical cooperation areexempt fromcustoms duty
andVAT inaccordance withtheimmunities granted toforeign diplomatic missions andagencies of
technical assistance. Upon completion oftechnical assistance projects suchgoods aretransferred to
State-ownership forgovernment useandthereceiving government institution doesnotpaycustoms
dutyorVAT.
(d) Other duties andcharges
Question 25.
Asanadvalorem fee,theCustoms UserFeeisnotconsistent withArticle VIIIofGATT, which
requires thatfeesandcharges related toimportation arelimited tothecostofservices rendered.
What steps doesMoldova intend totaketobring itssystem inlinewithGATT practice?
Could Moldova explain howtheadvalorem ratecustoms userfeeisconsistent withtherequirement
ofGATT Article VIIIthatsuchfeesshallbelimited “inamount ”totheapproximate costofservices
rendered?
Answer:
Moldova isaware oftheGATT panel decision of1988 thattheuseofanadvalorem system
ofcustoms userfeesisinconsistent withtheprovisions ofArticles II.2(c) andVIII.1(a) oftheGATT
totheextent thatitcauses feestobelevied inexcess oftheapproximate costs ofcustoms processing
forindividual entries inquestion.
TheGovernment ofMoldova intends tochange itssystem sothatthecustoms userfeewill
either beincorporated inthecustoms tariff oraflatfeereflecting theaverage costofprocessing a
customs declaration willbeintroduced. Moldova expects theamendment toenter intoforce nolater
thanJanuary 1998.
Question 26.
DoesMoldova apply anyseasonal duties? Ifso,please provide fulldetails oftheproduct coverage,
level, etc.
Answer:
Moldova doesnotapply anyseasonal duties.
(e) Quantitative import restrictions
Question 27.
Annex 3,section III.3 oftheMemorandum seems toindicate thatMoldova doesmaintain some
import prohibitions. Isthisthecase? Ifso,please listtheproducts subject tosuchaprohibition
andjustification forimposing thatprohibition.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page14
Answer:
Moldova isnotmaintaining import prohibitions. Thereference inAnnex 3oftheMemorandum
referstoasituationwhereimportprohibitionsmaybeimposedundertheLawonForeignTradeActivity.
Question 28.
CanMoldova confirm thatitdoesnotintend inthefuture tointroduce import prohibitions?
CanMoldova confirm thatitdoesnotintend inthefuture tointroduce import quotas?
CanMoldova confirm thatitdoesnotintend inthefuture tointroduce restrictive import licensing?
Answer:
Moldova confirms thatitwillonlyapply import restrictions, quotas andrestrictive import
licensing inconformity withtherelevant WTO provisions.
(f) Import licensing procedures (Annex 3refers)
Question 29.
Please confirm thattheimport licensing system applies alsotoimports from CIScountries and/or
countries withwhich Moldova hasapreferential trade agreement.
Answer:
Theimport licensing system applies toallimports irrespective oftheirorigin, including imports
from CIScountries andother countries withwhich Moldova hasapreferential trade agreement.
Question 30.
Could Moldova please state therationale behind including “precious metals, minerals, precious
stones andarticles made from them”inthelistofgoods subject tolicensing inAnnex 3(a).
Answer:
TheGovernment iscurrently redrafting theDecision governing thelicensing system. Moldova
willsubmit acopyofthenewDecision totheWorking Party assoonasadrafttextbecomes available.
Question 31.
Itisnotentirely clear towhom anapplication foranimport licence should bemade. Itwould
appear thatexcept “incases concerning agriculture ”,theapplication ismade totheDepartment
forForeign Economic Relations intheMinistry ofEconomy.
Please confirm whether ornotthisunderstanding iscorrect.
Answer:WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page15
Anapplication foranimport licence must always bemade totheDepartment ofForeign
Economic Relations intheMinistry ofEconomy, except forfertilizers andtheotherproducts mentioned
inthetablebelow forwhich theStateCentre forTesting ofChemical andBiological Products used
forProtection andGrowth Stimulation ofPlants which ispartoftheMinistry ofAgriculture issues
thelicence.
Products forWhich Import Licences areIssued bytheMinistry ofAgriculture
Product Group HSCode
Products ofthechemical andallied industries 28.01 -28.51
Organic chemicals 29.01 -29.42
Fertilizers 31.01 -31.05
Question 32.
Please provide afulllistofproducts (including theHScode where possible) where the
application foralicence should bemade totheMinistry ofEconomy.
Answer:
Forthefollowing products orproduct groups theapplication foralicence should bemade
totheMinistry ofEconomy:
Product Group HS-Code *
Weapons, ammunition, military equipment, kitstoproduce such
equipment, works andservices inthefieldoftechnical-military
cooperation93.00
Explosive substances 36.01 -36.03
Nuclear materials, technologies, equipment andinstallations to
produce suchmaterials28.44, 84.01
Ionic radiation sources -
Pharmaceutical products 30.00
Equipment andtools forgeneral medicine, surgery, stomatology
andveterinary purposes, including devices forscintigraphy and
other electric medical devices; equipment forsight testing;90.18-90-22
Diagnostic testsandchemical reactives 38.22
Medical andoptical equipment 90.01-90.04
Drugs, substances withpsychotropic effects; materials toproduce
suchsubstances29.21-29.26
Poisons -
Precious metals, including goldandsilver, minerals, precious
stones andobjects made thereof, alloys, semifabricates, wastes
containing precious metals (except electronic articles containing
precious metals)71.00
Textiles (exported toEUcountries) -WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page16
* ThelistofHScodes covered bythelicensing provisions isintheprocess ofbeing
completed. Moldova willinduecourse submit afinallist.
Question 33.
Formedications, drugs andmedical equipment itwould appear thatauthorization toimport has
tobesought from theMinistry ofHealth BEFORE anapplication foranimport licence ismade
tothedepartment forForeign Economic Relations.
Isourunderstanding onthispoint correct?
Answer:
Moldova confirms thattheauthorization fromtheMinistry ofHealth mustbesought inadvance.
Question 34.
Isthisamandatoryrequirementorcanalicenceapplicationbesubmittedwithoutthisauthorization
(e.g.theDFER submits theapplication forauthorization totheMinistry ofHealth itself)?
Answer:
Theprior authorization from theMinistry ofHealth isamandatory requirement.
Question 35.
Howwould animporter goabout obtaining theprior authorization from theMinistry ofHealth?
Answer:
IntheMinistry ofHealth there isaspecial commission toconsider requests forauthorizations
toimport medications, drugs ormedical equipment. Importers mayaddress themselves tothis
commission.
Question 36.
Why istheauthorization oftheMinistry ofHealth required bothwhen applying forthelicence
andthetimeofactual importation?
Answer:
Theauthorization isrequired onlyoncewhen applying foralicence. Upon importation only
thelicence issued bytheMinistry ofEconomy onthebasisofavalidauthorization fromtheMinistry
ofHealth must bepresented.
Question 37.
Please explain thereason(s) whythedocuments tobesubmitted when applying foralicence include
“themandate oftheapplicant organization, given totheperson authorized toobtain thelicence ”
and“copies ofincorporation documents ”(seeAnnex 3oftheMemorandum)?
Answer:WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page17
With theentering intoforce ofthenewRegulation onExternal Economic Activity, which is
currently being drafted, therequirement ofsubmitting amandate oftheapplicant organization will
beabolished.
Therequirement concerning thesubmission ofincorporation documents hasalready been
abolished.
Question 38.
When anapplication foralicence isrefused, doestheapplicant haverecourse toanindependent
appeals body?
Answer:
Ifanapplication foralicence hasbeenrefused, theapplicant canchallenge thedecision in
thecourts. Nospecial appeals body hasbeensetup.
Question 39.
There isanadministrative charge forissuing alicence of180lei(10minimum wages). Could
Moldova givemore precise indications onhowexactly these charges arecalculated tocover the
services rendered (GATT Article VIII)?
Answer:
Thefeewascalculated tocover theprinting costs oftheapplication andlicence forms and
estimated depreciation ofequipment. Over timethese costshaveincreased butthelicence feehasnot
beenadjusted. Therefore thecurrent licence feecovers onlypartoftheactual expenses related tothe
processing oflicences.
Question 40.
Does theGovernment ofMoldova make public theinformation concerning import licensing
procedures, such astheconditions forgranting alicence sothatforeign traders canclearly
understand thesystem?
Answer:
TheGovernment haspublished therulesandregulations, including theprocedures, forobtaining
importlicencesintheMonitorulOfficial(officialbulletinoftheState)inGovernmentResolutionNo.371
of6June1995.
Question 41.
Inthecasewhere import licence isnotgranted, arethereasons shown totheapplicant?
Answer:
There areclearrulescontained inGovernment Resolution No.371of6June1995, under which
import licences willnotbeissued. Theapplicant willbeinformed about thereasons.
(h) Customs valuationWT/ACC/MOL/3
Page18
Question 42.
Please provide theWorking Party withacopy ofGovernment Decision No.99 of27February
1996 onCustoms Valuation, which willenable theWorking Party members toassess the
compatibility ofMoldova ’sCustoms Valuation scheme withWTO rules.
Answer:
AcopyofanEnglish translation ofGovernment Decision No.99of27February 1996 has
beensubmitted andisavailable forconsultation intheSecretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126).
Question 43.
Weunderstand thatMoldova iscurrently preparing anewCustoms Valuation Decision which
isexpected tocome intoforce byApril 1997. Would itbepossible toseeacopyofthisnewDecision
whilst itisstillindraft form, toenable theWorking Party members tocomment onitsWTO
compatibility?
Answer:
Thenewregulation onCustoms Valuation ispartofthedraft"Law ontheCustoms Tariff",
acopyofwhich isavailable forconsultation intheSecretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126).
(j) Pre-shipment inspection
Question 44.
WillMoldova undertake that, should anypre-shipment inspection system beintroduced inthe
future, theoperation ofsuchasystem willbeconsistent withtherelevant WTO Agreements, in
particular, onPre-shipment Inspection andCustoms Valuation?
Answer:
Moldova isprepared toundertake thatanyfuture system ofpre-shipment inspection willbe
consistent withtherelevant WTO Agreements, including theAgreements onPre-shipment Inspection
andonCustoms Valuation.
(k) Application ofinternal taxes onimports
VAT
Question 45.
Article XXIV oftheGATT doesnotexempt regional integration agreements from application
ofthem.f.n. principle withregard tointernal taxation. Please indicate when Moldova intends
tobring itssystem ofVAT application intolinewithArticle IoftheGATT 1994, sothatitis
applied equally toimports from allthird countries, including from CIScountries.
Answer:
Inthecontext ofthereform ofthefiscal system, which isnowongoing, Moldova willmove
totheprinciple ofdestination forVAT purposes initstrading relations withallcountries. TheWT/ACC/MOL/3
Page19
Government expects these changes toenter intoforce byJanuary 1998. Imports from CIScountries
willthenbesubject toVAT inMoldova asareimports from allother countries anddomestically
produced goods. Initstrading relations withallothercountries Moldova isalready applying theprinciple
ofdestination forVAT purposes.
Question 46.
Please confirm thatVAT exemptions areapplied withfullrespect forthenational treatment and
m.f.n. principles?
Answer:
Moldova confirms thatinfuture allVAT exemptions willbeapplied inaccordance withthe
m.f.n. andnational treatment principles.
Question 47.
Arethere anyVAT exemptions forparticular importers (asopposed toparticular products)? If
so,please provide fulldetails.
Answer:
Aspecial VAT exemption exists onlyfortheAmerican company REDECO according tothe
concessional agreement onprospecting andexploitation ofoilandgas.
Excise taxes
Question 48.
Does Moldova apply fullnational treatment toitsexcise taxsystem, bothinterms ofthelevel
ofthetaxes andinterms ofthemethod ofcalculation ofthetaxes? Ifnot,please provide details
ofthetaxlevels forbothdomestic andimported goods.
Answer:
Atpresent different ratesofexcise taxarebeing charged fordomestically produced goods and
forimportedgoods.MoldovarecognizesthatthissystemisincompatiblewiththeprovisionsofArticleIII
oftheGATT andwilladjust itslegislation accordingly. TheGovernment expects thatnew, uniform
rateswillcome intoeffect nolaterthanJanuary 1998. Theratescharged fordomestically produced
andforimported goods weresubmitted withtheMemorandum aspartofthe1996 Budget Lawand
areavailable forconsultation intheSecretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126).
Question 49.
Please complete thetableonpage9(WT/ACC/MOL/2) byincluding allproducts which aresubject
toexcise tax,indicating thelevelofthetaxforbothdomestic andimported products.
Answer:
Theextract fromthe1996 Budget Lawreferred toabove contains thecomplete listincluding
allproducts subject toexcise taxandboth, theratescharged fordomestically andforimported goods.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page20
Question 50.
Thetable listing goods subject toexcise taxes (page 9,WT/ACC/MOL/2) includes “sparkling
wine”,butdoesnotstatetheleveloftheexcise taxlevied onthisproduct. Could Moldova please
addthisinformation inthetable .
Answer:
Theratesforsparkling wineareincluded intheextract from the1996 Budget Lawreferred
toabove.
Question 51.
“Spirits usedinpharmacology andveterinary products areexempt from excise tax”.How does
Moldova ensure thatthere isnoabuse ofthisexemption?
Answer:
Manufacturers ofpharmaceuticals orveterinary products aregranted exemption from excise
taxes forimported spirits onabona fidebasis iftheydeclare thattheimported spirits willbeused
fortheproduction ofpharmaceuticals orveterinary products. However, exemptions fromexcise taxes
arebeing monitored andunusual supplies which cannot beexplained maygiverisetoaninvestigation.
Question 52.
Doanyother internal taxes (other thanVAT andexcise duty) apply toimports?
Answer:
Inaddition toVAT andexcise taxes there arenoother internal taxes onimports.
Question 53.
TheMemorandum mentions Moldova ’spolicy onnational treatment oninternal taxation butnot
onregulatory aspects ofsale,offering forsale,purchase, transportation, distribution oruse.What
isthecontent ofMoldova ’spolicy inthisarea? Please explain howitcomplies withArticle III.4
ofGATT?
Answer:
Moldova grants national treatment toimported products inrespect ofalllaws, regulations and
requirements affecting theirinternal sale,offering forsale,purchase, transportation, distribution or
use,asprovided forinArticle IIIoftheGATT.
Question 54.
TheexemptionofexcisetaxonimportsfromRomaniaandCISStatesisinconsistentwithArticleIII
oftheGATT. Does Moldova have plans toremove thisexemption?
Answer:WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page21
Theexemption ofimports from Romania from excise taxes hasbeendiscontinued. ForCIS
countries andplanned changes intheoverall excise regime seetheanswer toquestion onvalue-added
taxabove.
(l-m) Rules oforigin andanti-dumping régime
Question 55.
Please clarify whether proof oforigin isrequired forproducts originating from allcountries or
onlyfrom those countries exporting toMoldova under apreferential scheme?
Answer:
ProofoforiginisrequiredonlyforgoodsimportedfromthosecountrieswhichexporttoMoldova
under apreferential trade agreement andfrom least-developed countries.
Question 56.
Where proof oforigin isrequired, what constitutes thatproof?
Answer:
Theproof isconstituted byavalid, official certificate oforigin.
Question 57.
How isthecountry oforigin currently ascertained?
Answer:
Thecountry oforigin isascertained byverifying whether thecertificate oforigin which is
submitted coincides withthemerchandise tobeimported.
Question 58.
Moldova isintheprocess ofpreparing alawonrules oforigin. Would itbepossible toseeacopy
ofthislawindraft form, toenable theWorking Party members tocomment onitsWTO
compatibility?
Answer:
Acopyoftheproposed newrulesoforigin hasbeensubmitted andisavailable forconsultation
intheSecretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126) aspartofthedraft"Law ontheCustoms Tariff".
Question 59.
CanMoldova giveacommitment thattheirlawsonanti-dumping andrules oforigin willcomply
withtheWTO Agreements onRules ofOrigin andAnti-Dumping?
Does Moldova intend todevelop safeguards legislation. Ifso,canitgiveanundertaking thatit
willcomply with theWTO Agreement onSafeguards?WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page22
Answer:
TheGovernment ofMoldova hasprepared newdraftlawsontherulesoforigin andcustoms
valuation; acopyofthedrafttextisavailable forconsultation intheSecretariat (Accessions Division,
Room1126).TheGovernmentispreparingalawonanti-dumping,countervailingandsafeguardmeasures
which willcomply withtherespective WTO regulations. Safeguard measures arecontained inArticle 15
ofthedraft"Law onForeign Trade Activity".
(o) Safeguard régime
Question 60.
Could Moldova please confirm thatnosafeguard legislation isinforce/in preparation
Answer:
Safeguard measures arecontained inArticle 15ofthedraft"Law onForeign Trade Activity".
Inaddition, theGovernment ispreparing alawonanti-dumping, countervailing andsafeguard measures
which willcomply withtherespective WTO regulations.
Question 61.
Ifthisisnotthecase, please provide acopyofitslegislation/draft legislation inaWTO language.
Answer:
AcopyofthedraftLawonForeign Trade Activity isavailable forconsultation intheSecretariat
(Accessions Division, Room 1126).
2. Export Regulation
(a) Registration requirements forengaging inexporting
Question 62.
Cannatural persons engage inexportation services?
Answer:
Natural persons canengage inexportation activities. Under thecurrent lawgoods subject to
export licensing canonlybeexported byfirms.
(b) Customs tariff nomenclature
Question 63.
Asanadvalorem fee,thecustoms userfeeisnotconsistent withArticle VIIIofGATT 1994,
which requires thatfeesandcharges related toexportation arelimited tothecostofservices
rendered andthattheyshall notrepresent ataxation ofexports forfiscal purposes.
Inthelightofthis,please explain thepurpose ofthecustoms userfeeinthecontext ofexportation
activities.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page23
Answer:
Thecustoms userfeefinances theactivities oftheCustoms Department. Atpresent proceeds
frombothimports andexports areentered intoasingle operating budget oftheDepartment. Expenditure
forexport-related services neednotcoincide withreceipts fromcustoms userfeescharged inconnection
withexports.
Question 64.
What steps doesMoldova intend totaketobring itssystem intolinewithGATT practice?
Answer:
Moldova isaware oftheGATT panel decision of1988 thattheuseofanadvalorem system
ofcustoms userfeesisinconsistent withtheprovisions ofArticles II.2(c) andVIII.1(a) oftheGATT
totheextent thatitcauses feestobelevied inexcess oftheapproximate costs ofcustoms processing
forindividual export transactions inquestion.
TheGovernment ofMoldova intends tochange itssystem sothatthecustoms userfeewill
either beincorporated inthecustoms tariff oraflatfeereflecting theaverage costofprocessing a
customs declaration willbeintroduced. Moldova expects theamendment toenter intoforce nolater
thanJanuary 1998.
(c) Quantitative export restrictions
Question 65.
Please provide more details about thetemporary export restrictions onunbottled wine.
Does thisrestriction stillapply?
Answer:
Therestriction nolonger applies.
Question 66.
When didit/will itexpire.
Answer:
Itexpired on30September 1996.
Question 67.
What was/is thenature ofthisrestriction?
Answer:
Therestriction consisted ofanexport banforunbottled wine.
Question 68.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page24
What wasthereason forimposing theexport restriction?
Answer:
Therestriction wasintroduced fortworeasons. First, theMoldovan Government intended to
promote theimage ofMoldovan wine, oneofMoldova 'smostimportant export products. Domestic
quality controls areonewayofensuring thatbottles ofMoldovan winemeetcertain quality standards.
Second, bottled winehasahigher value-added which, inturn, yields higher corporate taxrevenues.
Against abackground ofstrained public finances, taxrevenues areahighpriority concern ofthe
Government. However, themeasure proved ineffective andwastherefore removed.
Question 69.
Does Moldova intend tomake useof(a)export prohibitions or(b)export quotas inthefuture
foranyproduct?
Answer:
Moldova confirms thatitwillonlyapply export restrictions andexport quotas inconformity
withtherelevant WTO provisions, inparticular Article XIoftheGATT.
(d) Export licensing procedures
Questions asked about theimport licensing system which alsoapply toexports:
Question 70.
Please confirm thattheexport licensing system applies alsotoexports toCIScountries and/or
countries withwhich Moldova hasapreferential trade agreement.
Answer:
Theexport licensing system applies toallexports irrespective oftheirdestination, including
exports toCIScountries andother countries withwhich Moldova hasapreferential trade agreement.
Question 71.
Could Moldova please state therationale behind including “precious metals, minerals, precious
stones andarticles made from them”inthelistofgoods subject tolicensing inAnnex 3(a).
Answer:
Export licensing forprecious metals andminerals, precious stones andarticles made thereof
hasbeenintroduced inaccordance withArticle XX(c) oftheGATT.
Question 72.
Itisnotentirely clear towhom anapplication foranexport licence should bemade. Itwould
appear thatexcept “incases concerning agriculture ”,theapplication ismade totheDepartment
forForeign Economic Relations intheMinistry ofEconomy.
Please confirm whether ornotthisunderstanding iscorrect.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page25
Answer:
AnapplicationforanexportlicencemustalwaysbemadetotheDepartmentofForeignEconomic
Relations intheMinistry ofEconomy, except forfertilisers andtheother products mentioned inthe
table below forwhich theState Centre forTesting ofChemical andBiological Products usedfor
Protection andGrowth Stimulation ofPlants which ispartoftheMinistry ofAgriculture issues the
licence.
Products forWhich Export Licences areIssued bytheMinistry ofAgriculture
Product Group HS-Code
Products ofthechemical andallied industries 28.01 -28.51
Organic chemicals 29.01 -29.42
Fertilizers 31.01 -31.05
Question 73.
Please provide afulllistofproducts (including theHScode where possible) where the
application foralicence should bemade totheMinistry ofEconomy.
Answer:
Seeprevious answer.
Question 74.
Formedications, drugs andmedical equipment itwould appear thatauthorization toexport
hastobesought from theMinistry ofHealth BEFORE anapplication foranexport licence is
made tothedepartment forForeign Economic Relations.
Isourunderstanding onthispoint correct?
Answer:
Moldova confirms thattheauthorization from theMinistry ofHealth must beobtained in
advance.
Question 75.
Isthisamandatoryrequirementorcanalicenceapplicationbesubmittedwithoutthisauthorization
(e.g.theDFER submits theapplication forauthorization totheMinistry ofHealth itself)?
Answer:
Theprior authorization oftheMinistry ofHealth isamandatory requirement.
Question 76.
Howwould anexporter goabout obtaining theprior authorization from theMinistry ofHealth?WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page26
Answer:
IntheMinistry ofHealth there isaspecial commission toconsider requests forauthorizations
toexport medications, drugs ormedical equipment. Exporters mayaddress themselves tothis
commission.
Question 77.
Why istheauthorization oftheMinistry ofHealth required bothwhen applying forthelicence
andthetimeofactual exportation?
Answer:
Theauthorization isrequired onlyoncewhen applying foralicence, andthesame document
must bepresented upon exportation.
Question 78.
Please explain thereason(s) whythedocuments tobesubmitted when applying foralicence include
“themandate oftheapplicant organization, given totheperson authorized toobtain thelicence ”
and“copies ofincorporation documents ”(seeAnnex 3oftheMemorandum)?
Answer:
Therequirement tosubmit amandate oftheapplicant organization willbeabolished shortly
after thenewLawonForeign Trade Activity willcome intoforce. Therequirement topresent
incorporation documents when applying foralicence hasalready beenabolished.
Question 79.
When anapplication foralicence isrefused, doestheapplicant haverecourse toanindependent
appeals body?
Answer:
Ifanapplication foralicence hasbeenrefused, theapplicant maychallenge thedecision in
thecourts. Nospecial appeals body hasbeensetup.
Question 80.
There isanadministrative charge forissuing alicence of180lei(10minimum wages). Could
Moldova givemore precise indications onhowexactly these charges arecalculated tocover the
services rendered (GATT Article VIII)?
Answer:
Thefeewascalculated tocover theprinting costs oftheapplication andlicence forms and
estimated depreciation ofequipment. Overtimethese costshaveincreased butlicence feehasnotbeen
adjusted. Therefore thecurrent licence feecovers onlypartoftheactual expenses related tothe
processing oflicences.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page27
Questions asked specifically about section 2(d):
Question 81.
Please confirm thattheexport licensing system applies alsotoimports from CIScountries and/or
countries withwhich Moldova hasapreferential trade agreement.
Answer:
Seeabove.
Question 82.
Does theprinciple ofnational treatment apply forissuing export licences?
Answer:
Theprinciple ofnational treatment doesapply forissuing export licences.
Question 83.
Foreachproduct subject toexport licensing, please provide theWTO justification forrequiring
suchlicensing.
Answer:
Thelicensing requirement forgoods listed inAnnex 3(a)oftheMemorandum isinaccordance
withtheprovisions ofArticle XXandXXIoftheGATT. Thefollowing tableprovides anoverview
oftheWTO justifications foreachproduct group:
WTO Justifications forEach Product Group
Product Group Subject to
LicensingReason forLicensing GATT Reference
Weapons, ammunition, military
equipment, kitstoproduce such
equipmentNational security Art.XXI(b)(ii)
Explosive substances National security Art.XXI(b)(ii)
Nuclear materials, technologies
equipment andinstallations to
produce suchmaterialsNational security Art.XXI(b)(ii)
Ionic radiation sources National security Art.XXI(b)(i)
Drugs, psychotropic effect
substances andpreparations,
materials toproduce such
substances andpreparations,
poisonsProtection ofhuman, animal
orplant lifeorhealthArt.XX(b)WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page28
Product Group Subject to
LicensingReason forLicensing GATT Reference
Precious metals, minerals,
precious stones andarticles made
from them (except forelectronic
articles thatcontain precious
metals)Special roleofgoldandsilver Art.XX(c)
Lottery-type inventions, means and
equipment fordifferent types of
lottery; slotmachines, fortune
gamesProtection ofpublic morals Art.XX(a)
Chemical substances (including
fertilizers andplant protection
substances) andindustrial rejects
subjects tointernational controlProtection ofhuman, animal
orplant lifeorhealthArt.XX(b)
Medicines, medical appliances and
equipmentProtection ofhuman, animal
orplant lifeorhealthArt.XX(b)
Question 84.
What isthereason forapplying thedifferent system offeesdepending onthecountry ofdestination
oftheexport?
Answer:
There arenodifferent feesapplied depending onthecountry ofexportation, except inthecontext
ofthespecial situations ofexports totheEU:
- inthecontext oftheEUGSPsystem; and
- Moldova 'stextile agreement withEU.
Thelicence feestructure isasfollows:
Licence FeeStructure
Licence Type Import/Export Fee
General licence, valid foroneyear
specifying amonetary equivalentImport andExport MDL 180
Regular licence, valid forone
shipment, issued onthebasis ofa
contractImport andExport 0.1% ofthevalue ofthe
merchandise
GSPlicence forexport totheEuropean
Union intheGSPframeworkExport -MDL 18forthelicence
-DM1forthelicence form
-0.1% forthecertificate of
origin (Form A)
Textile licence forexport tothe
European Union intheframework of
theTextile AgreementExport -MDL 18forthelicence
-DM2forthelicence formWT/ACC/MOL/3
Page29
(e) Other measures
Question 85.
Please confirm thatthelistinAnnex 3(b)contains thecomplete listofgoods subject toregistration
upon export, asthislistdoesnotcontain “waste paper ”which is,however, covered insection 2(e)
oftheMemorandum (WT/ACC/MOL/2).
Answer:
Waste paper isincluded inAnnex 3(b)oftheMemorandum which contains thecomplete list.
Question 86.
What isthepurpose ofregistering export contracts?
Answer:
Theexport registration requirement doesnotconstitute anexport restriction orprohibition for
agricultural goods. Moreover, theGovernment hastheintention toabolish theregistration requirement
assoonaspossible.
Thepurpose ofregistering export contracts hasbeentosafeguard thepublic interest inthe
fieldofexternaleconomicrelations.Thefirstissueisthepreventionoftaxevasion.Companies'proceeds
from exports areregistered andlatercompared withthese companies ’taxreturns.
Secondly, theregistration requirement hasbeenpartoftheGovernment 'sefforts toensure
thatexport earnings arefullyrepatriated. Export prices which aresignificantly lower thanworld market
prices maygiverisetoaninvestigation. Initially, theGovernment reserved therightnottoregister
export contracts ifthestated price wassignificantly below world market prices butnowregistration
cannolonger bewithheld forthatreason. TheGovernment iscurrently redrafting therelevant
Government Decision toreflect thisliberalization.
Thirdly,theregistrationofexportcontractspermitseasymonitoringofexportpricesandvolumes
ofkeyMoldovan products.
Question 87.
Isregistration ofexport contracts anautomatic process which doesnotaffect theability ofthe
exporter toproceed withexportation?
Answer:
Iftheexporter submits alldocuments required, andexport ofthegoods inquestion isnotsubject
tolicensing orbanned, thecontract isautomatically registered.
Question 88.
Itwould appear from thissection thatthere issome sortofsystem providing forminimum export
prices.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page30
Please provide afulllistofproducts forwhich there areminimum export prices, giving thelevel
oftheminimum export price.
Foreachproduct, what isthereason forapplying minimum export prices?
Please explain howtheminimum export prices were calculated.
Answer:
Asthere isnolonger asystem ofminimum export prices, these questions donotapply.
(f) Export financing, subsidy andpromotion policies
Question 89.
Could Moldova confirm thatitdoesnotmaintain, andhasnointention ofintroducing inthefuture,
anyexport subsidies?
Answer:
Moldova isnotcurrently maintaining export subsidies. IfMoldova, inthefuture, introduces
export subsidies, itwilldosoinaccordance withtherelevant WTO provisions, suchastheSCM and
Agriculture Agreements. TheGovernment mayadopt measures suchas:
- providing access toinformation;
- training ofpersonnel inallaspects offoreign trade;
- improving theprivate banking andinsurance systems;
- improving communications;
- simplifying administrative procedures forexport.
3. Internal Policies ofMoldova Affecting Foreign Trade inGoods
(a) Industrial policy, including subsidy policies
Question 90.
Could Moldova please specify thesectors allowed tobenefit from “taxincentives ”and“priority
loans”.
Answer:
Thesectors referred tointhissection arebeing restructured withthehelpofinternational aid
agencies suchastheWorld Bank andtheEBRD which provide so-called sectoral loans. These loans
finance infrastructure investments, technical assistance orcredit lineswhich arechannelled through
thebanking system andlentouttobeneficiaries atmarket rates.
Such loans have beencontracted torestructure thefollowing sectors: energy, agriculture,
transport, roadbuilding andtelecommunications. Inaddition, loans forthedevelopment oftheprivate
sector havebeencontracted which benefit theprivate sector asawhole. Loans foreducation, water,
cadastre andsocial development arecurrently inpreparation.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page31
Question 91.
Please confirm thatnoforms ofsupport areafforded toanysector producing goods which could
becontrary totheSCM Agreement.
Answer:
Forcurrent support payments seeinformation provided inWT/ACC/MOL/2/Add.2. Asfor
thefuture, Moldova confirms thatnoforms ofsupport willbegranted tosectors producing goods which
could becontrary totheSCM Agreement.
Question 92.
Please expand onthetaxincentives itgrants tosuchsectors.
Answer:
Inaddition totheinfrastructure investments, technical assistance andcredit lineswhich are
financed from loans provided byinternational aidagencies, theGovernment ofMoldova facilitates
theadjustment process through thefollowing tax-related measures which areawarded onacase-by-case
basis:
- rescheduling oftaxarrears forcompanies inrestructuring;
- forgiving ofpenalties forlatepayment oftaxes;
- rescheduling ofsocial insurance contributions;
- forgiving ofpenalties forlatepayment ofsocial insurance contributions;
- write-off oftaxliabilities offormer State companies intheframework ofliquidations and
break-ups.
Question 93.
Please clarify whether thepriority loans aregranted upon terms andconditions differing from
those prevailing onthemarket.
Answer:
Theloans referred tointhissection as"priority loans" arethesectoral loans mentioned above.
Some ofthese include acredit linecomponent. Credits tobeneficiaries aregranted atmarket rates
andconditions.
(b) Technical regulations andstandards (Annex 5refers)
Question 94.
When willMoldova complete theTBT Questionnaire?
Answer:
Thefollowing isanupdate ontheanswers provided inWT/ACC/MOL/2, Annex 5.
1. Description ofrelevant laws, regulations, administrative orders, etc,relating toimplementation
andadministration oftechnical barriers totrade.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page32
Thelegalbasis fortechnical regulations andstandards applied inMoldova arethefollowing
legislative acts:
- LawonProtection ofConsumers 'Rights;
- LawonStandardization;
- Decision ontheOrganization ofStandardization andMetrology Activities.
AcopyoftheLawonProtectionofConsumers'RightswassubmittedinWT/ACC/MOL/Add.1.
Copies oftheLawonStandardization andtheDecision ontheOrganization ofStandardization and
Metrology Activities areavailable intheSecretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126) forconsultation.
2. Information regarding:
(a) Names ofpublications, ifany,onwork relating todrafttechnical regulations orstandards and
procedures.
Thenames ofpublications relating todrafttechnical regulations orstandards andprocedures
are:
- "Buletunul Standardisari" published onceevery three months (Moldova);
- "Standardizarca" published monthly (Romania);
- "Standarti iKacestvo" published monthly (Russian Federation).
(b) Thename andaddress oftheenquiry point(s) foreseen inArticles 10.1and10.3oftheWTO
Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade (theAgreement) withanindication astowhether
itis/they arefullyoperational.
Aproposal tofundtheestablishment ofanenquiry point hasbeenprepared andiscurrently
under review. Moldova expects tosetuptheenquiry point withassistance from aninternational aid
agency intimeforaccession.
Theenquiry point willbelocated atMoldovastandard, Coca Street 28,Chisinau.
(c) Thename andaddress oftheagency dealing withconsultations asforeseen inArticle 14of
theAgreement.
Consultations asforeseen inArticle 14oftheAgreement willbedealtwithbytheMinistry
ofEconomy andbyMoldovastandard.
(d) Thename andaddress ofagencies thataredealing withother specific functions foreseen in
theAgreement.
Theagency which deals with other specific functions foreseen intheAgreement is
Moldovastandard.
(e) Thescope ofresponsibility ofthecentral government authorities intheareaofnotification
requirements foreseen inArticle 10.11 oftheAgreement andofindividual government
authorities, iftheresponsibility isdivided among twoormore suchauthorities.
Theresponsibility isnotdivided between twoormore authorities.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page33
(f) Measures andarrangements toensure thatnational andsub-national authorities preparing new
technical regulations orsubstantial amendments toexisting ones, provide early information
ontheirproposals.
TheNational Fund forDocuments onStandardization publishes allinformation inthisfield.
Question 95.
Moldova willhavetoaccede totheTBT Agreement from thefirstdayofaccession totheWTO.
What practical steps isMoldova taking orplanning totaketoprepare fortheaccession tothe
TBT Agreement?
Answer:
Moldova istaking thefollowing measures toprepare itsaccession totheTBTAgreement:
- newly developed standards areharmonized withrelevant international oreuropean standards;
- allnorms andstandards arerevised every fiveyears. Inthecourse oftherevision norms and
standards developed previously arebeing harmonized withinternational oreuropean standards;
- aproposal tofundtheestablishment ofan"enquiry point" hasbeenprepared andiscurrently
under review. Moldova expects tosetuptheenquiry pointwithassistance fromaninternational
aidagency;
- theintroduction ofvoluntary standards isbeing considered.
Question 96.
Could Moldova please provide more detailed information onthelawsconstituting thelegalbasis
fortechnical regulations andstandards: (i)Lawof25May1993 onconsumer security, (ii)Law
No.90-XIII of22September 1995 onstandardization, and(iii)Regulation onState supervision
ofdocuments andnorms withregard tostandardization.
Answer:
The"Law onConsumer Security" of25May1993hasbeensubmitted andisavailable inthe
Secretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126) forconsultation under thetitle"Law onProtection of
Consumers 'Rights." The"Law onStandardization" andtheregulation, theEnglish titleofwhich is
"Decision about theOrganization oftheActivity ofStandardization andMetrology", arealsoavailable
intheSecretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126) forconsultation.
Question 97.
Could Moldova please provide anoverview ofregulations relating todifferent products/product
areas.
Answer:
Atpresent there arerulesforthefollowing products orproduct groups inforce inMoldova:WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page34
Regulations relating toDifferent Products/Product Areas
Rules Products/Product Groups
Medico-biological requirements toensure thatfood
products aresafeandmeetminimum nutritional value
requirements, issued bytheMinistry ofHealthFood products
Sanitary standards aspartofproduct standards, issued
byMinistry ofHealthBroad range ofnon-food products
Safety andcompatibility standards Construction andbuilding activity
Safety norms andlabour standards Services provided atthework place
Environmental standards, including radiation safety General
Question 98.
Arethestandards usedinMoldova voluntary ormandatory; ifmandatory, could Moldova please
state therationale behind this?
Answer:
Oftheabove allsafety andsanitary standards aremandatory. Acomplete listofgoods for
which certification ismandatory, bothifimported anddomestically produced, isavailable inthe
Secretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126) forconsultation.
Against abackground ofadifficult economic situation, theabsence ofotherobligatory technical
requirements, product shortages andlimited purchasing power ofthepopulation, Moldova considers
mandatory safety andsanitary norms theonlywaytokeepoutpoorquality ordangerous products.
Question 99.
HasMoldova theintention ofgradually moving from theuseofGOST-standards totheuseof
international standards; ifso,what isthetimetable andthepriorities forthischange-over?
Answer:
Moldova isamember oftheEASC, aregional standardization organization within theISO
framework. In1997 Moldova joined theISO. Asexplained under point (ii)above, newly developed
standards areharmonized withISOstandards andexisting standards willbeharmonised overtime,
inaprocess ofperiodic revisions. Intheforeseeable future, Moldova willuseGOST andISOstandards
inparallel.
Question 100.
Could Moldova please provide more in-depth information ontheprocedures andrequirements
connected withthemandatory and/or thevoluntary system ofcertification. Forexample, does
theMoldovian certification system contain thepossibility ofusing amanufacturers ’declaration?
Does Moldova usepre-market certification inanyproduct areas?WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page35
Answer:
Imported goods arecertified aspartoftheimportation procedure. Goods accompanied bya
certificate from arecognized foreign certification body receive their certificate without further
examination onthebasisoftheforeign certificate. Atpresent, onlycertificates fromcertification bodies
ofCIScountries arerecognized. Other goods areexamined byoneoftheofficial 15certification bodies.
Domestically produced goods receive theircertificate upon clearance byoneoftheofficial
certification bodies. The15official certification bodies areindependent, public institutions. They
cooperate with40authorized laboratories.
Certification onthebasis ofmanufacturers 'declarations ispermitted foralimited number of
products. Acomplete listofgoods forwhich certification onthebasis ofmanufacturers 'declaration
ispermitted isavailable intheSecretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126) forconsultation. Such
certification ispreliminary andsubject torandom controls.
Allcertification ispre-market certification.
Question 101.
Does Moldova accept asequivalent certificates from third country certification bodies?
Answer:
Atpresent, Moldova onlyrecognizes certificates from official certification bodies ofCIS
countries. Negotiations fortherecognition offoreign certificates areongoing withanumber ofcountries
including Romania, Poland, Germany andFrance.
Question 102.
HasMoldova developed aquality assurance system? Could Moldova please provide further
information onthissystem oronanyplans todevelop suchasystem?
Answer:
Moldova isintheprocess ofdeveloping aquality assurance system.
Question 103.
Could Moldova alsoplease provide further information onitsaccreditation system orplans to
introduce suchasystem?
Answer:
Moldova hasaNational Accreditation Board forcertification bodies andtesting laboratories.
Rules governing theactivities oftheBoard andofcertification bodies andtesting laboratories meet
therequirements oftheEN45000. Tocoordinate theactivities ofthe15official certification bodies
andlaboratories acoordination division hasbeensetupwithin Moldovastandard.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page36
(c) Sanitary andphytosanitary measures
Question 104.
Does Moldova anticipate anydifficulties inapplying theSPSAgreement infullfrom thedate
ofaccession?
Answer:
Moldova doesnotanticipate anydifficulties inapplying theSPSAgreement infullfrom the
dateofaccession.
(e) State-trading practices
Question 105.
DoesMoldovaintendtonotifyanyenterprisesunderArticleXVIIoftheGATT1994orArticleVIII
oftheGATS?
Answer:
Moldova doesnotengage inState-trading inthesense ofArticle XVII oftheGATT. Detailed
information relating tobarter trade hasbeen provided intables 3-5ofsection 1.2. of
WT/ACC/MOL/2/Add.2.
There isnoState-trading withregard toservices sothatMoldova doesnotintend tonotify
anyenterpriseunderArticleVIIIoftheGATS,exceptfortelecommunicationservicesandpublicutilities.
Question 106.
WenoteMoldova ’sadvice thatthere arenoState trading enterprises covered bytheprovisions
ofArticle XVII. Arethere anyMoldovan products traded byState trading enterprises? Ifso,
please advise which goods andthenames oftheenterprises.
Answer:
Moldova doesnotengage inState trading inthesense ofArticle XVII oftheGATT. Detailed
information relating tobarter trade hasbeen provided intables 3-5ofsection 1.2. of
WT/ACC/MOL/2/Add.2. Wereiterate thattheGovernment onlyconcludes aframework treaty with
theother governments concerned, whereas actual salescontracts aremade byMoldovan companies.
(f) Freezones
Question 107.
Does Moldova have anylegislation relating tofreezones?
Answer:
TheMoldovan legislation relating tofreezones istheLawNo.1415-XII of25May1993.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page37
Question 108.
Does Moldova have anyintention ofestablishing anyfreezones inthefuture?
Answer:
Afreezone(asdefined bytheWorld Customs Organization) exists already inChisinau (see
WT/ACC/MOL/2, page20).Further freezones areforeseen inthefuture.
(g) Freeeconomic zones
Question 109.
Please confirm whether ornotfreeeconomic zones willbefullysubject tothecoverage ofMoldova ’s
future commitments asaWTO Member.
Answer:
Freeeconomic zones willbefullysubject tofuture WTO commitments ofMoldova.
Question 110.
Please indicate whether ornotgoods produced orimported intofreeeconomic zones under the
special taxandtariff regimes envisaged tothese zones aresubject tonormal customs formalities,
taxes andtariffs when entering therestofMoldova.
Answer:
Normal customs formalities, taxes andtariffs apply togoods which entertherestofMoldova
from afreeeconomic zoneandafreezone.
Atthepresent time, afreeeconomic zoneexists atTvardita; fordetails seepage20ofthe
Memorandum (WT/ACC/MOL/2).
(j) Government-mandated counter-trade andbarter
Question 111.
Isallcountertrade andbarter trade subject tocustoms formalities, tariffs, taxes andlicensing
inthesame wayasother imports?
Answer:
Moldova confirms thatallcountertrade andbarter tradeissubject tocustoms formalities, tariffs,
taxes andlicensing asareother imports.
Question 112.
What agricultural products areusedbyMoldova incounter-trade andbarter-trade?WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page38
Answer:
Acomplete listofproducts, including agricultural products, traded byMoldova under
Government-sponsored barter trade hasbeenprovided indocument WT/ACC/MOL/2/Add.2.
(l) Government procurement practices
Thefollowing answers arebased onthedraftprocurement lawwhich hasbeenelaborated bytheMinistry
ofEconomy in1996. TheGovernment expects thatthedraftprocurement lawwillbeadopted bythe
Moldovan parliament within thefirsthalfof1997 without anysubstantial changes.
General
Question 113.
Does Moldova intend tojointheGPA? Ifnot,whynot?
Answer:
Moldova willtakeadecision inthisrespect induecourse.
Statistics
Question 114.
What statistics, ifany,doestheMoldovan Government collect onprocurement?
Answer:
TheMoldovan Government doesnotcollect statistics ongovernment procurement.
Question 115.
Could theMoldovan Government provide abreakdown ofthepublic sector procurement market
bothbycontracting entity andbyproduct type?
Answer:
There arethree domains ofpublic procurement:
- procurement inconnection withloans frominternational aidagencies suchastheWorld Bank,
theEuropean Bank forReconstruction andDevelopment, which aresubject tospecific
procurement regulations ofthese agencies;
- procurement forsecurity anddefense purposes;
- other government procurement.
Presently, there isnobreakdown ofthepublic sector procurement market byproduct type
available.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page39
Question 116.
What istheoverall value ofpublic sector purchasing inMoldova, andwhich arethemajor
procuring entities?
Answer:
Theestimated overall value ofcentral government purchasing in1996 wasMDL 200m.
ThemajorprocuringentitiesaretheGovernment,MinistriesandDepartments,Stateinstitutions,
andeconomic State agents.
Question 117.
Could theMoldovan Government make these statistics available totheWorking Party, aswell
asacopy oftheir most recent lawonpublic procurement?
Answer:
Acopyofthemostrecent regulations onpublic procurement, i.e.theGovernment Decision
"OntheMechanism ofPublic Procurement" from20September 1995, andthedraftprocurement law
areavailable intheSecretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126) forconsultation.
Management Structure
Question 118.
What isthemanagement structure ofMoldova ’ssystem ofgovernment procurement ?
Answer:
AccordingtotheMoldovandraftprocurementlaw(Article2;Article45)thefollowinginstitutions
areinvolved intheprocurement process:
- procuring entities, engaged intheacquisition ofgoods, construction andservices;
- theBureauforProjectAssistanceandPublicProcurement(theBureauwillberenamed“National
Agency forPublic Procurement ”,hereinafter referred toasNAPP), which shall bear
responsibility forthemanagement oftheprocurement fortheState needs.
More specifically, theNAPP shallberesponsible forthe:
- normative regulation oftheorganisation andimplementation ofprocurement procedures;
- formulation ofprocurement regulations, submitting them totheGovernment ofMoldova for
approval;
- provision ofguidance andmethodological assistance toprocuring entities intheconduct of
procurements;
- conduct review oncomplaints ofsuppliers, interaction withinternational institutions andforeign
entities; and
- coordinationofforeigntechnicalassistanceinthefieldofpublicprocurement,andthemonitoring
andinspection ofrecords andprocedures ofprocuring entities.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page40
Question 119.
Isthere acentral agency thatpurchases onbehalf ofallcentral government agencies, ordo
individual government departments holdtheir ownprocurement budgets?
Answer:
Thereisnocentralagencythatpurchasesonbehalfofallcentralgovernmentagencies.Individual
government departments holdtheirownprocurement budgets.
Question 120.
Howispurchasing managed forlocalgovernment agencies andforother publicly-controlled bodies
suchasState-trading enterprises?
Similarly, howisprocurement managed byutilities (entities operating intheoilandgas,electricity,
transportation andwater sectors)?
Answer:
Likecentral government agencies, local government agencies andother publicly-controlled
bodies aswellasutilities holdtheirownbudgets foracquisitory purposes. Therequired budgetary
resources areallocated totheprocuring entities according togovernmental priorities.
Monitoring authority
Question 121.
Isthere acentral agency which controls theapplication ofthelegal system ormonitors
infringements ofprocurement law?
Answer:
TheNAPP issupervising andmonitoring procuring entities intheconduct ofprocurements
andoversees their compliance withtheprovisions oftheprocurement lawandother legislative
requirements suchasregulations, rulings, andorders ofgeneral application inthisarea(Article 45).
Legal Remedies
Question 122.
Cansuppliers whodispute theaward ofacontract seekredress through national courts ora
tribunal system?
Answer:
There arethree levels onwhich suppliers thatclaim tohavesuffered, orthatmaysuffer, loss
orinjury duetoabreach ofadutyimposed ontheprocuring entity mayseekredress (Article 54).
Appeals canbesubmitted directly totherespective procuring entity andtheNAPP (Article 55).
Furthermore, thedecisions oftheNAPP aresubject toreview bythecourt (Article 59).WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page41
Question 123.
What remedies (forexample damages orre-tendering ofcontract) areavailable?
Answer:
TheNAPP maycancel infullorinpartanunlawful actordecision oftheprocuring entity,
orrevise anunlawful decision bytheprocuring entity. TheNAPP mayrequire thepayment bythe
procuring entity ofcompensation foranyreasonable costs actually incurred, butnotforlostprofit or
opportunity costs, bythesupplier. Moreover, theNAPP mayorder thattheprocurement proceedings
beterminated (Article 56).
Advertising
Question 124.
Dodetailed rules existontherequirement topublish tender andcontract award notices?
Ifso,what information must these notices contain, andwhere aretheypublished?
Answer:
Aprocuringentitymustsolicittenders,orifapplicable,applicationsforpreliminaryqualification,
bypublishing aninvitation totender oraninvitation forpreliminary qualification intheRomanian
andRussian languages inthePublic Procurement Bulletin (PPB) issued bytheNAPP. Inparticular
situations (forfurther details seeArticle 18),theinvitation totender orinvitation forpreliminary
qualification shall alsobepublished intheEnglish language inmass media ofwide international
circulation (Article 26).ThePPBalsocontains other announcements relevant topublic procurement
andadvertisements thereof, aswellasother information related totheprocurement procedures
(Article 45).
Theinvitationtotendercontains,interalia,specificationsofthegoods,constructionandservices
tobesupplied interms ofnature, quantity, place andtime, thecriteria andprocedures tobeusedfor
evaluating thequalifications ofsuppliers, place anddeadline forthesubmission oftenders, means and
place ofobtaining thesolicitation documents (Article 27).
Astothecontractawardnotices,theprocuringentityshallpublishnoticeofprocurementcontract
awards within thirty calendar daysaftersuchawards aremade. Thenotice includes ataminimum the
name ofthesupplier, andthesubject aswellastheamount ortheestimated amount ofthecontract.
Procurement contract award notices shallnotbepublished ifnational security ordefense isconcerned
orifthecontract price islessthantwenty fivehundred minimum monthly wages (Article 15).
Procurement procedures
Question 125.
Doesthecurrent procurement lawstipulate requirements forpre-selection ofcandidate suppliers?
Ifso,what arethey?
Answer:
Theprocuringentitymayengageinprequalificationproceedingswithaviewtowardsidentifying
qualified suppliers prior tothesubmission oftenders. Theprocuring entity shallthenprovide asetWT/ACC/MOL/3
Page42
ofprequalification documents toeachsupplier thatrequests them, including asummary oftheprincipal
required terms andconditions oftheprocurement contract tobeentered intoasaresult ofthe
procurement proceedings, anydocuments orother information thatmust besubmitted bysuppliers
toverify theirqualifications, themanner andplace forthesubmission ofapplications toprequalify
andthedeadline forthesubmission, andthecriteria forprequalification. Onlysuppliers thathavebeen
prequalified areentitled toparticipate further intheprocurement proceedings. Forfurther details see
Article 7.
Question 126.
Doesthelawstipulate procedures andconditions fordifferent forms ofcontract award procedures
(forexample, limited, open ornegotiated tendering procedures)?
Ifso,what aretheprocedure andcriteria foreachtypeofcontract award procedure?
Answer:
Aprocuring entity shallengage inprocurement ofgoods orconstruction bymeans ofopen
competitive tendering proceedings asthepreferred method ofprocurement. Under special conditions,
aprocuring entity mayusethefollowing methods ofprocurement (Article 19):
- two-stage tendering;
- restricted tendering;
- specialized restricted tendering;
- request forquotations; and
- single-source procurement.
Theprocedures andcriteria foreachtypeofcontract award procedure areasfollows:
- two-stage tendering (Article 20;Article 40):
Aprocuring entity mayengage intwo-stage tendering if
- itisnotfeasible toformulate detailed specifications forthegoods orconstruction, or
toidentify thecharacteristics ofservices;
- theprocuring entity seeks toenter intoacontract forthepurpose ofresearch,
experiment, study ordevelopment;
- thecircumstances existtoengage inspecialised restrictive tendering; or
- tendering proceedings havebeenengaged inbutnotenders weresubmitted oralltenders
wererejected bytheprocuring entity andengaging innewtendering proceedings would
beunlikely toresult inaprocurement contract.
Inthefirststage, thesolicitation documents shallcalluponsuppliers tosubmit initial tenders
containing theirproposals without atender price. Inthesecond stage, theprocuring entity shallinvite
suppliers which participated inthefirststage andwhose tenders havenotbeenrejected, tosubmit
finaltenders withprices withrespect toasingle setofspecifications.
- restricted tendering (Article 21;Article 41):WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page43
Aprocuring entity mayengage inrestricted tendering if
- there isonlyalimited number ofsuppliers; or
- subject toapproval bytheNAPP, where thevalue oftheprocurement contract is
estimated tobelessthantwelve thousand minimum monthly wages andthetimeand
costrequired toevaluate alarge number oftenders would beunreasonably highin
comparison withthevalue ofthegoods, construction orservices tobeprocured.
Theprocuring entity shallsolicit tenders fromallsuppliers fromwhom thegoods,construction
andservices tobeprocured areavailable.
- specialised restricted tendering (Article 22;Article 42):
Aprocuring entity mayengage inspecialised restricted tendering ifthesubject ofthe
procurement involves armament orgoods, construction orservices fornational security or
national defense ofsuchnature astorequire secrecy orconfidentiality.
- request forquotations (Article 23;Article 43):
Aprocuring entity mayengage inprocurement bymeans ofarequest forquotations forthe
procurement ofreadily available goods orservices thatarenotspecially produced orprovided
totheparticular specifications oftheprocuring entity andforwhich there isanestablished
market, solongastheestimated value oftheprocurement contract islessthantwenty-five
hundred minimum monthly wages, orother amount asmaybestipulated intheprocurement
regulations issue bytheNAPP.
- single-source procurement (Article 24;Article 44):
Aprocuring entity mayengage insingle-source procurement if
- thereisanurgentneedforthegoods,constructionorservices,andengagingintendering
proceedings oranyother method ofprocurement would therefore beimpractical;
- there isonlyoneparticular supplier forthegoods, construction orservices tobe
procured;
- theprocuring entity, having procured goods etc.from asupplier, determines that
additional supplies mustbeprocured fromthatsupplier forreasons ofstandardization
orcompatibility;
- theprocuring entity seeks toenter intoacontract withthesupplier forthepurpose
ofresearch, experiment, study ordevelopment; or
- where procurement proceedings havebeenengaged inandonlyonetender, proposal,
offerorquotation wasreceived bytheprocuring entity inresponse tothesolicitation
documents, andengaging innewproceedings would beunlikely toresult ina
procurement contract.
Theprocuring entity mayprocure thegoods etc.bysoliciting aproposal orprice quotation
from, andengaging innegotiations with, asingle supplier.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page44
Criteria forawarding contracts
Question 127.
How arebidsevaluated?
Isprice theonlycriterion inevaluating bids, orarecontracts alsoevaluated byreference toan
"economically most advantageous offer" approach?
Answer:
Tenders forgoods andconstruction shallbeevaluated onthebasis ofthefollowing criteria
(Article 37):
- thetender price;
- other criteria, including thecostofoperating, maintaining andrepairing thegoods or
construction, thetimefordelivery ofthegoods, completion ofconstruction orprovision of
theservices, thefunctional characteristics ofthegoods orconstruction, andtheterms ofpayment
andofguarantees; and
- provision ofnational defence andsecurity.
Thesolicitation documents shallspecify theevaluation criteria andtheirrelative weight inthe
evaluation procedure orbeexpressed inmonetary terms wherever practicable.
Astotheevaluation ofproposals forservices, theevaluation criteria include (Article 48):
- thequalifications,experience,reputation,reliabilityandprofessionalandmanagerialcompetence
ofthesupplier andofthepersonnel tobeinvolved inproviding theservices;
- theeffectiveness oftheproposal inmeeting theneeds oftheprocuring entity;
- theproposal price, including anyancillary orrelated costs; and
- national defence andsecurity considerations.
Theprocuring entity shalldetermine therelative weight ofthecriteria andnotify thesuppliers
about themanner inwhich theyaretobeapplied intheevaluation oftheproposals.
Question 128.
Ifso,under what conditions arethedifferent evaluation methods used?
Answer:
Asexplained above, price isnottheonlycriterion inevaluating bids.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page45
Preferences
Question 129.
DoesMoldovan procurement lawmake provision forasystem ofdomestic andprice preferences?
Arethese mandatory oroptional?
How, precisely, dotheyoperate?
How aretheymanaged?
Answer:
Ifapproved bytheNAPP, aprocuring entity shallhavetherighttogrant amargin ofpreference
forthebenefit oftenders forconstruction bydomestic contractors orforthebenefit oftenders for
domestically produced goods. Themargin ofpreference shallnotexceed 10percent(Article 37).
Question 130.
Does apolicy existtosupport local industry inMoldova?
Answer:
In1996, anindustrial development programme hasbeenadopted bytheParliament, stipulating
priority sectors forindustrial development. Among suchsectors areenergy, transport, roadbuilding
andtelecommunications.
There arenospecial provisions forthesupport oflocalindustry.
Question 131.
Istheprocurement ofcertain products reserved forlocal industry?
Answer:
Noproducts arereserved forlocalindustry.
Offsets
Question 132.
Can foreign suppliers participate intenders?
Answer:
Foreign suppliers arepermitted toparticipate inprocurement proceedings.
Question 133.
Does Moldovan procurement lawmake provision foranyoffset requirements, suchastechnology
transfer orbuy-back arrangements?WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page46
Ifso,howoften areoffset arrangements negotiated onacase-by-case basis?
Answer:
Thedraftprocurement lawdoesnotmake provision foranyoffset requirements.
Information technology
Question 134.
Hasasystem ofelectronic tendering forpublic procurement been setupinMoldova?
Ifso,howdoesthissystem operate?
Ifnot,arethere anyplans tosetupsuchasystem?
Answer:
Asystem ofelectronic tendering forpublic procurement hasnotbeensetupinMoldova yet,
buttheestablishment ofadatabase system foravailability ofdata/information ontendering isforeseen.
International involvement
Question 135.
Does Moldova have anyexisting purchasing agreements withthird countries?
Ifso,withwhich countries?
Could theMoldovan sidealsoprovide theWorking Party withcopies ofthose agreements?
Answer:
Moldova hasnotconcluded anysuchagreements.
Discrimination offoreigners
Question 136.
Arethere anyprovisions inMoldovan lawwhich discriminate against theparticipation offoreigners
inpublic procurement contracts?
Answer:
Theprocuring entity hasnoright toestablish anycriterion, requirement orprocedure with
respecttothequalificationsofsuppliersthatdiscriminatesagainstoramongsuppliersoragainstcategories
thereof onthebasis ofnationality (Article 6).Suppliers arepermitted toparticipate inprocurement
proceedings without regard tonationality, except incases inwhich theprocuring entity decides tolimit
participation inprocurement proceedings onthebasis ofnationality (Article 8).WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page47
4. Policies Affecting Foreign Trade inAgricultural Products
Question 137.
Please provide theinformation requested inWT/ACC/4 ondomestic support andexport subsidies.
Answer:
Moldova indicates thatithasnoexport subsidies ordomestic support measures. However,
itseems from document WT/ACC/MOL/Add.2 thatMoldova isseeking tohavecommitments on
domestic support which donotreflect current levels ofsupport andisseeking toincrease these levels
ofsupport. CanMoldova provide details ofcurrent levels ofsupport andanindication thatthese levels
willbereduced, notincreased.
Moldova hasgiven details ofsupport levels provided in1995 andtheanticipated levels for
1996 andthetotalforthetwoyears. Weexpect thatthese totals willbeaveraged fortheAMS
commitment (using theaverage ofathree yearrepresentative period).
Asnosubsidies foragriculture werepaidin1994, Moldova hasgiven details ofsupport levels
provided in1995, theanticipated levels for1996 andthetotalforthetwoyears.
Thetablebelow gives theactual figures for1996. Weexpect thatthese totals willbeaveraged
fortheAMS commitment.
Level ofSubsidies intheAgricultural Sector in1996
Measure 1996 Amount inMillion MDL
SoilConservation 3.4
Viticulture Improvement 9.5
Fruit-growing Improvement 6.0
Farmer Support Payment 0.0
Livestock Subsidy 8.0
Milk Subsidy 0.0
Total 26.9
(c) Export prohibitions andrestrictions
Question 138.
Aretheregistration requirements forexport contracts covering certain agricultural products export
restrictions orexport prohibitions? Could Moldova explain suchameasure? How longwillthe
registration requirements beinexistence?
Answer:
Theexport registration requirement doesnotconstitute anexport restriction orprohibition for
agricultural goods. Moreover, theGovernment hastheintention toabolish theregistration requirement
assoonaspossible.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page48
Thepurpose ofregistering export contracts hasbeentosafeguard thepublic interest inthe
fieldofexternaleconomicrelations.Thefirstissueisthepreventionoftaxevasion.Companies'proceeds
from exports areregistered andlatercompared withthese companies taxreturns.
Secondly, theregistration requirement hasbeenpartoftheGovernment 'sefforts toensure
thatexport earnings arefullyrepatriated. Export prices which aresignificantly lower thanworld market
prices maygiverisetoaninvestigation. Initially, theGovernment reserved therightnottoregister
export contracts ifthestated price wassignificantly below world market prices butnowregistration
cannolonger bewithheld forthatreason. TheGovernment iscurrently redrafting therelevant
Government Decision toreflect thisliberalization.
Thirdly,theregistrationofexportcontractspermitseasymonitoringofexportpricesandvolumes
ofkeyMoldovan products.
V. TRADE-RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME
1. General
Question 139.
Does Moldova intend tobecome aparty tointernational conventions other thanthose mentioned
inWT/ACC/MOL/2, suchastheRome orBerne Conventions?
Answer:
MoldovaisamemberofboththeRomeandtheBerneConventions.Moreover,Moldovaintends
tobecome aparty tothefollowing international treaties:
- Madrid Agreement fortheRepression ofFalse orDeceptive Indications ofSources onGoods;
- Protocol Relating totheMadrid Agreement Concerning theInternational Registration ofMarks
(1989);
- LisbonAgreementfortheProtectionofAppellationsofOriginandtheirInternationalRegistration
(1958);
- Strasbourg Agreement Concerning theInternational Patent Classification (1971);
- NiceAgreement Concerning theInternational Classification ofGoods andServices forthe
Purposes oftheRegistration ofMarks (1957);
- Vienna Agreement Establishing anInternational Classification oftheFigurative Elements of
Marks (1973);
- Locarno Agreement Establishing anInternational Classification forIndustrial Designs (1968);
- UPOV Convention.
Moldova states thatpursuant toArticle 19ofitsConstitution, foreign nationals havethesame
rights andresponsibilities asthenationals ofMoldova, butthereexistsome exceptions. Please explain
inmore detail whatthese exceptions are.
Moldova applies theprinciple ofnational treatment withregard tointellectual property. The
exceptions stipulated inArticle 19oftheConstitution refertotherights tovoteandtobeelected, military
service andrelated issues.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page49
2. Substantive Standards ofProtection
(a) Copyright andrelated rights
Question 140.
How arecomputer programs andcompilations ofdataprotected?
Answer:
Computer programs andcompilations ofdataareprotected bytheLawonCopyright and
Neighbouring Rights. TheLawgrants theholder ofacopyright theexclusive righttoexploit hiswork
inanyform andbyanymeans. (Article 6,10,LawonCopyright andNeighbouring Rights).
Question 141.
How areperformers, producers ofphonograms andbroadcasting organizations protected?
Answer:
Under Moldovan law,theproducer ofaphonogram hastheexclusive rightforitsuseinany
form, including therighttoobtain remuneration foritsuse,i.e.topermit orprohibit:
- theplay-back ofthephonogram;
- thedistribution ofcopies ofthephonogram (selling, renting);
- themodification orchange ofthephonogram;
- theimportation ofcopies ofthephonogram inorder tobroadcast it.
Theproducer mayalsotransfer therightbymeans ofacontract toanother person (Article 28,
LawOnCopyright andNeighbouring Rights).
Theperformer ofaphonogram hastheexclusive righttopermit orallow:
- therecording ofanunrecorded performance;
- theplay-back oftherecorded performance;
- thetransmission oftheperformance byradio-electronic means, cable orother means of
communication;
- therental ofapublished phonogram.
aswellastherighttodefend theperformance against anydisfigurement orcontortion orundermining
ofthereputation oftheperformer, andtotransfer therightbymeans ofacontract toanother person
(Article 27,LawOnCopyright andNeighbouring Rights).
Broadcasting organizations havetheexclusive righttousephonograms inanyform, including
therighttoobtain remuneration fortheuseofthephonogram, i.e.topermit orallow:
- therecording oftheperformance;
- theplay-back oftheperformance;
- simultaneous broadcasting ofthebroadcast byanother broadcasting orcable distribution
organization;
- communication ofthebroadcast tothepublic overtheairorbycable;
- communication ofthebroadcast tothepublic inplaces towhich acharge ismade foradmission
(Article 29,LawOnCopyright andNeighbouring Rights).WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page50
Foreigners enjoy national treatment withregard tothese provisions.
(b) Trademarks
Question 142.
What aretherights conferred byatrademark under Moldovan law?
Answer:
Moldovan lawgrants theowner ofaregistered trademark throughout thetermofthevalidity
ofthetrademark anexclusive righttodispose ofandexploit itaswellastherighttoprohibit other
persons from using itontheterritory ofMoldova. Noperson shallbeentitled touseatrademark
protected inMoldova without theconsent ofitsowner (Article 6(1), (2)).
Thefollowing actsconstitute aninfringement oftherights ofthetrademark owner ifcarried
outwithout hisconsent: themanufacture, use,import, offerforsale,saleoranyform ofmarketing,
orholding forsuchpurposes, ofatrademark oraproduct designated bysuchtrademark, ortheuse
ofasimilar signliable tomislead theconsumer, inrelation togoods orservices ofthesame type
(Article 6(3)).
MoldovahassubmittedtotheWorkingPartyacopyoftheLawOnTrademarksandAppellations
ofOrigin which isavailable intheSecretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126) forconsultation.
Question 143.
How arewell-known marks protected?
Answer:
IntheRepublic ofMoldova wellknown marks areprotected without registration incompliance
withArticle 6-bis oftheParis Convention fortheProtection ofIndustrial Property (Article 7(4)) of
theMoldovan LawOnTrademarks andAppellations ofOrigin.
Question 144.
Arethere anyexceptions totheprotection ofatrademark?
Answer:
Theexclusive rightdoesnotextend toelements ofthetrademark which, when taken separately,
cannot beregistered astrademarks (Article 6(4)).
Question 145.
Isuseofthetrademark acondition, forexample, forfiling anapplication andtomaintain
registration?
Answer:
Theuseofatrademark isnotacondition forfiling anapplication ortomaintain aregistration.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page51
(c) Geographical indications
Question 146.
Does thedefinition ofageographical indication alsocomprise criteria, such asthequality,
reputation orother characteristics ofaproduct?
Answer:
Thedefinition ofageographical indication ("appellation oforigin") comprises natural properties
oftheproduct which derive essentially orexclusively from thenatural orhuman factors specific to
thatgeographical area.Itmayalsobeaword derived fromacountry oranadministrative orterritorial
subdivision ofacountry (Article 3,LawonTrademarks andAppellations ofOrigin).
Article 7(2,a)oftheLawstipulates grounds forrefusal toregister atrademark oranappellation
oforigin incasetheyaredeceitful orliable tomislead theconsumer.
Question 147.
Could theGovernment ofMoldova explain inmore detail howgeographical indications are
protected (e.g.against unfair competition, misleading thepublic)?
Answer:
Theuseofaregistered geographical indication, evenifaccompanied byastatement ofthe
trueplace oforigin oftheproduct orintranslation orinassociation withwords suchas"kind", "type",
"imitation", orothersimilar notices isprohibited foranyperson whoisnottheholder oftheregistration
certificate. Theuse,forproducts ofthesame type, ofsimilar designation liable tomislead consumers
astotheplace oforigin andspecial properties oftheproducts isalsoprohibited (Article 22(2),Law
onTrademarks andAppellations ofOrigin).
Question 148.
How arewines andspirits protected?
Answer:
Therearenospecificprovisionsfortheprotectionofwinesandspiritsotherthanthosementioned
inthepreceding answer.
(d) Industrial designs
Question 149.
Dothecriteria forprotection incorporate theindependent creation ofanindustrial design aswell
asthecondition ofbeing newandoriginal? Does ithave todiffer from known designs or
combinations ofknown design features?
Answer:
Thecriteria forprotection ofindustrial designs include theindependent creation ofanindustrial
design aswellasthecondition ofbeing newandoriginal. Inorder tobeprotected industrial designsWT/ACC/MOL/3
Page52
havetodiffer fromknown designs orcombinations ofknown design features (Article 4;Article 6(1)
oftheLawOnProtection ofIndustrial Designs).
Question 150.
How aretextile designs protected?
Answer:
Textile designs areprotected inthesame wayasindustrial designs.
(e) Patents
Question 151.
What rights areconferred toapatent holder?
Answer:
Theholder ofapatent hastheexclusive rightontheinvention protected bythepatent which
consists oftherighttousetheinvention, provided theusage doesnotinterfere withtherights ofother
patent holders, todispose ofthepatent andtoforbid others tousetheinvention protected bythepatent
(Article 22(1), LawOnPatents forInvention)
Question 152.
Isthere acondition towork apatent? Ifso,doesimportation ofthepatented product fulfil this
condition?
Answer:
Under Moldovan lawthere isnocondition towork apatent.
Question 153.
Arethere anyprovisions oncompulsory licensing andgovernment use?Ifso,please explain.
Answer:
Iftheinvention hasnotbeenusedforthree years since thepatent hasbeenissued, orithas
notbeensufficiently usedbytheholder, theperson whoisready to,andwishes toutilize theinvention,
incasetheholder refuses toconclude alicensing contract withthatperson, thelatter cansubmit a
request tothecourt orarbitrage tobeawarded anon-exclusive obligatory licence.
Intheinterest ofnational security, theMoldovan Government hastherighttoauthorize the
useoftheinvention bythirdparties without theconsent ofthepatent holder, paying thelatteranadequate
financial compensation. Theholder hastherighttocontest theamount ofcompensation inthecourt
(Article 33(4), LawOnPatents forInvention).
Question 154.
Areprocesses protected under Moldova 'spatent law?WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page53
Answer:
Processes areprotected under Moldovan lawonthesame basis asproducts.
(f) Protection ofplant varieties
Question 155.
Initsanswer Moldova saysthatatpresent plant varieties areprotected likeinventions. Does the
Government ofMoldova intend tochange itsactual protection system? Ifso,inwhat respect?
Answer:
Moldova adopted a"Law OnPlant Variety Protection" which entered intoforce on
28November 1996andprovides forspecial protection ofplantvarieties. Protection isgranted onthe
basisofcertificates issued bytheStateCommission fortheTesting ofPlant Varieties. TheLawgrants
theexclusive rights ofexploitation tothepatentee which arelisted inArticle 13(Law onPlant Variety
Protection). Moldova alsobecame amember ofUPOV.
Moldova hassubmitted acopyoftheLawOnPlant Variety Protection which isavailable in
theSecretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126) forconsultation.
(g) Layout designs ofintegrated circuits
Question 156.
What isthescope ofprotection?
Answer:
Presently, therearenoprovisions governing layout-designs ofintegrated circuits. ADraft Law
onLayout Designs ofIntegrated Circuits which willcomply withrelevant international agreements
iscurrently inpreparation andwillbesubmitted totheWorking Party induecourse.
(h) Protection ofundisclosed information
Question 157.
Does Moldovan lawrequire thesubmission ofundisclosed testorother dataasacondition of
approving themarketing ofpharmaceutical orofagricultural chemical products which utilize
newchemical entities? Ifso,howissuchdataprotected against disclosure?
Answer:
Themarketingofpharmaceuticalsandagriculturalchemicalproductswhichutilizenewchemical
entities without registration ofintellectual property rights isonlysubject toapproval bytheMinistry
ofHealth ortheMinistry ofAgriculture, respectively.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page54
4. Enforcement
Question 158.
WhatarecivilandadministrativeproceduresandremediesavailableunderMoldovanlawtoprotect
intellectual property?
Answer:
Arightholder whobelieves thathisintellectual property rights areinjured mayinitiate acivil,
penal oradministrative caseinthecourts. Incases offraud orsimilar cases thepublic prosecutor may,
inaddition, initiate aseparate caseunder thePenal Code ofMoldova.
Theperson found guilty ofaninfringement canbesentenced topayafine, damages or
compensation. Ifappropriate, theinjured party mayalsorequest thatthegoods ortheequipment used
toproduce thegoods concerned bedestroyed orrendered incapable oftheusewhich infringes onhis
rights.
Theexactprovisionsgoverninglegalremediesforspecificintellectualpropertyrightsareincluded
inthelaws, copies ofwhich Moldova submits together withthese answers (seeArticle 25,Trademark
Law).
Question 159.
Could theGovernment ofMoldova explain inmore detail howarightholder canavailofprovisional
measures?
Answer:
Arightholder inMoldova canrequest fromacourt thataninjunction beissued which would
prevent further infringements ofhisright. Thisprocedure isgoverned bythenormal provisions of
Moldovan law.
Question 160.
Moldova explains thattheadoption ofappropriate standards withregard toborder measures
isforeseen.CouldtheGovernmentofMoldovagivesomeindicationsaboutthepossibletime-frame?
Answer:
Atthepresent time, noindication ofthetime-frame foradoption ofprovisions onborder
measures canbemade.
VI. TRADE-RELATED SERVICES REGIME
1. General
Question 161.
Moldova isrequested toprovide theWorking Party assoonaspossible withasubstantial initial
offer onservices intheGATS framework, binding liberal market access conditions andnational
treatment guarantees onanm.f.n. basis forforeign service suppliers.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page55
Answer:
TheGovernment ofMoldova willinduecourse submit aninitial offeronservices intheGATS
framework.
Question 162.
DocumentWT/ACC/MOL/2notesthatthereisarequirementforforeigninvestorstoseekapproval
from anti-trust authorities foranyinvestment over$5million. Could Moldova explain thecriteria
applied forsuchapproval?
Answer:
Therequirementforforeigninvestorstoseekapprovalfromanti-trustauthoritiesforinvestments
inMoldova exceeding $5million aimsatpreventing theestablishment ofdominating enterprises which
would limitcompetition andinfringe oninterests ofother enterprises orcitizens. Thecriteria forthe
denial ofsuchapproval arelisted inArticle 3.1oftheLawConcerning Restrictions onMonopolistic
Activities andDevelopment ofCompetition which wassubmitted inWT/ACC/MOL/2/Add.1.
Question 163.
Could Moldova explain what legalprovisions govern theentry andstayofforeign keypersonnel
working intheservices sector andofforeign natural persons providing services?
Answer:
Theprovisions governing theentry andstayofforeign keypersonnel working intheservices
sectorandofforeignnaturalpersonsprovidingservicesarecontainedinArticles16and17,respectively,
oftheLawonForeign Investment, which isreferred toinWT/ACC/MOL/2/Add.1.
Question 164.
Itisstated ontheonehand thatadefacto monopoly exists inseveral sectors. Ontheother hand
itisalsostated thatthere arenolegal entry barriers fortheforthesupply ofthese services nor
dothese monopolies enjoy specific monopoly rights. These twodescriptions seem tocontradict
eachother. Could Moldova explain therelationship between thetwo?
Answer:
Thereasons whythere arenofurther suppliers ofservices inthedomains mentioned isa
combination oftoolowprices which inturnarearesult oflowpurchasing power oftheusers and
highincidence ofdefault onpayment byusers. Infact,Moldova welcomes foreign investment inthese
areas anditishoped thataswage arrears willbereduced, economic growth accelerated andthelegal
framework developed further thatmore foreign investment willcome toMoldova, including inthese
areas.
Fortelecommunication services refertothereplies provided inresponse tospecific questions
onChapter VIoftheMemorandum (WT/ACC/MOL/2) laterinthisdocument.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page56
Financial services
Question 165.
Itisnoted thatboththebanking andinsurance sectors areopen toforeign companies withthe
solecondition thattheyfulfil thelicensing requirements -could theMoldovan authorities please
provide asummary ofthelicensing requirements inforce inthebanking andinsurance sectors
andconfirm thatbothdomestic andforeign companies arerequired tomeetthesame requirements
-i.e.thatthere arenospecial conditions forforeign companies?
Answer:
Moldova confirms thatthelicensing requirements governing thebanking sectors arethesame
forforeign anddomestic companies.
Thedetailed rulesgoverning thelicensing requirements forbanks arecontained inArticles 4-11
oftheFinancial Institutions Lawwhich wassubmitted together withtheMemorandum andareavailable
intheSecretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126) forconsultation. Thefollowing isanoverview:
EverybusinessengaginginbankingactivityinMoldovamusthavealicenceissuedbytheCentral
Bank ofMoldova (National Bank).
Licence applications havetobeaddressed totheNational Bank andmustprovide information
onthefollowing:
- qualifications andexperience oftheadministrators oftheproposed institution;
- theamount oftheproposed paid-in capital;
- abusiness plan;
- details ofthose persons proposing toownmore than10percent;
- anyadditional information prescribed byregulation oftheNational Bank.
Thelicence application forabranch office ofaforeign bankmustbemade bytheforeign bank.
Theforeign bankmusthavetherightinitshome country toestablish aforeign branch andmustbe
adequately supervised onaconsolidated basis intheforeign country.
Initially, there wasopen competition forthesupply ofinsurance services. However, the
amendment totheLawonInsurance from 20June1996 stipulates thatforeign insurance companies
canoperate inMoldova onlyinajointventure withMoldovan partners. Theforeign share insuch
ajointventure must notexceed 49percent.
Every company supplying insurance services must havealicence issued bytheMinistry of
Finance. Thedetailed rulesgoverning thelicensing requirements forinsurance companies arecontained
intheRegulation "OntheIssue ofLicences forInsurance Services" from 17November 1995 which
isavailable intheSecretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126) forconsultation.
Thelicence application hastobeaddressed totheState Insurance Service attheMinistry of
Finance andmust provide detailed information onthecompany, including themanagement andthe
financial record.
Question 166.
What rules govern thesaleandpurchase ofsecurities?WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page57
Answer:
ThesaleandpurchaseofsecuritiesinMoldovaisgovernedbytheLaw"OnSecuritiesCirculation
andStock Exchange" andbyregulations introduced inaccordance withthislaw.Acopyofthelaw
isavailable intheSecretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126) forconsultation.
Question 167.
Areforeign legalandnatural persons permitted toparticipate inthesaleandpurchase ofsecurities
onthesame basis asMoldovan nationals?
Answer:
Foreignlegalandnaturalpersonsarepermittedtoparticipateinthesaleandpurchaseofsecurities
onthesame basis asMoldovan nationals.
Question 168.
Areforeign institutions permitted tobuyandsellontheir ownaccount andonbehalf ofothers?
Answer:
Foreign institutions arepermitted tobuyandsellontheirownaccount andonbehalf ofothers.
Telecommunications services
Question 169.
Onpage 32ofdocument WT/ACC/MOL/2, itissaidthatthere isadefacto monopoly for
telecommunication services. Thisdoesnotexplain clearly what theactual situation is-areservices
dejureliberalized?
Answer:
Dejure,theMoldovan Telecommunications Law of1995 contains regulations forthe
liberalization ofthemarket fortelecommunication services. These regulations areoutlined inthetable
below.
Question 170.
Would other operators bepermitted tooperate incompetition withMoldtelecom iftheywished
to?
Answer:
Noother operators arepermitted tocompete withMoldtelecom inthesectors ofinternational
telecommunications, telegraph andtelex, aswellasbasic domestic telecommunication services and
leased circuit provision viathepublic telecommunications network, where Moldtelecom hasexclusive
authorization atleastuntil2005.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page58
Question 171.
Could theMoldovan authorities please specify thecurrent regime ineachaspect ofthetelecoms
sector e.g.forpublic voice, facilities, data, mobile, value-added services andresale?
Answer:
Thefollowing tableshows thecurrent regime inthedifferent telecommunications sectors:
Regimes intheTelecommunication Sector
Telecommunication Sector Regime
International telecommunications,
telegraph andtelex.Exclusive authorization forthesupply ofservices in
thissector isheldbyMoldtelecom, thecountry ’s
national operator ofthepublic telecommunications
network.
Domestic basic telecommunication
services andleased circuit provision via
thepublic telecommunications network.Exclusive authorization fortheprovision ofthese
services isatpresent alsoheldbyMoldtelecom,
scheduled tolastuntil2005. After 2005, open
competition willintroduced. Local telephone operators
willbeawarded operating licences onthebasis of
public tenders. Such licences willbeissued onlyfor
those districts where there issufficient demand.
Mobile telephone services andmobile
radio connected tothepublic
telecommunications network.Onecompany hasbeenawarded alicence for
establishing amobile telephone system. Another four
companies havebeenawarded licences tooperate
trunk typesystems. Further mobile radio licences
shallbeawarded onlyifjustified bydemand and
subject toexisting undertakings andavailability of
frequencies.
Independent localnetworks connected
withthepublic telecommunications
network.There areanumber oflicence holders forsuch
networks. Theaward oflicences iswithout restriction
ofnumber butlicences havelimited scope.
Radio paging. There arecurrently three localsuppliers, eachofthem
holding alicence. Theaward oflicences issubject
onlytotheavailability ofradio frequencies.
Networks requiring theuseofradio
frequencies butnotconnected tothe
public network, suchastaxiradio,
ambulance carradio etc.,and
independent networks notconnected to
thepublic network.There arepresently many suppliers, eachofthem
holding astandard licence oranauthorization touse
certain frequencies. Theaward oflicences issubject
onlytotheavailability ofradio frequencies.
Other services, e.g.conceive, create
andmaintain telecommunications
networks.These services arepresently provided byseveral
suppliers, eachofthem holding astandard licence.
Theaward ofstandard licences iswithout restriction
ofnumber based onopencompetition.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page59
Telecommunication Sector Regime
Customers 'premises equipment. There aremany suppliers, eachofthem holding a
standard trading licence forthesaleofapproved
equipment. Theaward ofstandard trading licences is
without restriction ofnumber onthebasis ofopen
competition.
Question 172.
Which ofthese services arecurrently covered byamonopoly?
Answer:
Moldtelecom ispresently holding alegally sanctioned monopoly inthesector ofinternational
telecommunications, telegraph andtelex, anddomestic basic telecommunications andleased circuit
provision viathepublic telecommunications network. Mobile telephone services andmobile, trunk-type
radio services connected tothepublic telecommunications network areprovided byprivate local
operators.
Question 173.
Arethere anyplans ofreform ?
Answer:
TheGovernment haslaunched aninternational tender fortheprivatization ofMoldtelecom,
supported byaninternational aidagency.
Moreover, inthesector ofmobile telephone services andmobile radio connected tothepublic
telecommunications network, theestablishment ofanother cellular mobile telephone system isenvisaged
in1997. Tothisend,aninternational tender hasbeenlaunched in1996. Thesuccessful tenderer will
setupajointventure andreceive alicence fortheestablishment ofaGSM standard mobile telephone
system.
Question 174.
What isthedefinition of“private cellular telephone networks ”?
Answer:
"Private cellular telephone networks ”isamobile radio system, operated byaprivate firm,
consisting ofamultitude ofgeographically distributed receiving units/boxes inorder totransmit
electromagnetic signals (e.g.emitted byahandy) intothepublic telecommunications network.
Question 175.
Areanyelements ofanindependent regulatory framework inplace inthissector e.g.for
interconnection, forleased lines?WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page60
Answer:
Atpresent, there isnoindependent regulatory framework inplace. However, aregulation
concerning interconnection iscurrently inpreparation.
Question 176.
Itisstated intheMemorandum thatthere arelimitations onthenumber ofservice suppliers in
certain telecommunications services -which services arecovered bythese limitations?
Onwhich basis isprovision ofthese services permitted -availability offrequencies?
Answer:
Thelimitationonthenumberofservicesuppliersincertaintelecommunicationssectorsmentioned
inchapter VI.3.(a) oftheMemorandum (WT/ACC/MOL/2) refers tothemonopoly ofMoldtelecom
inthesector ofinternational telecommunications, telegraph, andtelex, anddomestic basic
telecommunication services andleased circuit provision viathepublic telecommunications network,
where nofurther licences fortheprovision ofservices willbeawarded atleastuntil2005.
Thenumber ofservice suppliers isalsolimited inthesector ofmobile telephone services and
mobile trunk-type radio connected tothepublic telecommunications network. In1997 anewmobile
telephone system oftheGSM typewillbeestablished onthebasisofapublic tender. Additional mobile
radio andradio paging licences willbeawarded onlyifjustified bydemand andsubject toexisting
undertakings andavailability offrequencies.
Audiovisual services
Question 177.
Could theMoldovan authorities please supply acopy ofthe"Law onAudio-Visual Services"
No.603 XIIIof3October 1995?
Answer:
AcopyoftheLawonAudio-Visual Services isavailable intheSecretariat (Accessions Division,
Room 1126) forconsultation.
Question 178.
Could Moldova explain thebasic operation oftheaudio-visual sector andpossibilities for
participation byforeign companies?
Answer:
TheStatecompany "Teleradio-Moldova" isthepublic audio-visual institution andcannot be
privatized (Article 7.1Audio-Visual Law)
Audio-visual public orprivate institutions havetherighttorentaudio-visual communication
networks, irrespective ofwhose property theyare.They canalsoownemission stations andlinesfor
thetransmission ofaudio-visual programmes (Article 8.1,Audio-Visual Law). Cable distributionWT/ACC/MOL/3
Page61
networks foraudio-visual communications aretheproperty ofthepublic orprivate audio-visual
institutions (Article 9,Audio-Visual Law).
Anaudio-visual institution canbecreated byoneormorenatural orlegalpersons oftheRepublic
ofMoldova under anyform oflegalorganization inaccordance withthelegislation. Foreign natural
orlegal persons, except inajoint-venture withMoldovan persons, donothavetheright tocreate
audio-visual institutions inMoldova (Article 5.1and5.2,Audio-Visual Law).
Anatural orlegalperson canholdmore than50percentofthestatutory capital onlyatone
audio-visual institution, butnomore than20percentatother institutions (Article 5.3,Audio-Visual
Law).
Audio-visual institutions must have alicence tobroadcast. Licences areissued bythe
Coordination Council onacompetitive basis (Article 15.2, Audio-Visual Law). They areissued for
aperiod offiveyears fortelevision andthree years forradio transmission. Broadcasting licences are
non-transferable, andtheirmodification requires theapproval oftheCoordination Council (Article 17,
Audio-Visual Law).
Professional services
Question 179.
Could Moldova explain what possibilities areopen toforeign lawyers tooffer legal services?
Towhat extent areforeign lawyers permitted topractice Moldovan law?
Answer:
Inorder tobelicensed asalawyer aperson hastopasstwolawexaminations intheRomanian
language. Such examinations areconducted bytheMinistry ofJustice andtheBar.There isno
discrimination onthebasis ofnationality. Everyone whopasses theexamination willbegranted the
licence.
Lawyers holding alicence issued bythecompetent authorities inCIScountries orinRomania
canpractice lawonthebasis ofthatlicence, inaccordance withbilateral agreements concluded with
thesecountries tothateffect. Moldova isanxious toconclude similar agreements withother, especially
European countries.
Question 180.
Areforeign lawyers permitted togiveadvice ontheir home country lawandinternational law?
Answer:
Foreign lawyers arepermitted togiveadvice ontheirhome country lawandoninternational
law.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page62
Accounting andauditing services
Question 181.
Arethere anyrestrictions ontheoperation offoreign companies?
Answer:
Foreign anddomestic companies cancarry outaccounting andauditing services subject tothe
same rules andregulations.
Question 182.
Arethere anyrestrictions astotheform acompany should takeifitistoparticipate inthe
Moldovan market -e.g.isitrequired thatthecompany should taketheform ofapartnership?
Answer:
There arenorestrictions astotheform acompany should take.
Question 183.
Isthere arequirement toemploy Moldovan citizens?
Answer:
There isnorequirement toemploy Moldovan citizens.
Question 184.
What aretherequirements forforeign auditors andaccountants interms oflicensing/registration?
Answer:
Both,foreignandMoldovannationalsneedalicencetocarryoutauditingoraccountingservices.
Inorder togetalicence theyhavetosubmit adocument fromtheMinistry ofFinance certifying that
theapplicant haspassed theexamination forauditors oraccountants. Instead ofthisdocument, foreign
nationals mayalsosubmit anauditing licence orcertificate from theircountry oforigin.
Auditing oraccounting firms havetosubmit, inaddition, thefollowing documents:
- registration asabusiness from theMinistry ofJustice;
- registration number from theTaxCollection Service;
- seal/stamp;
- company charter.
Question 185.
What isthesituation regarding theparticipation offoreign natural persons andcompanies in
other professional services -e.g.architectural services, engineering services?WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page63
Answer:
There arenorestrictions orspecial provisions governing theparticipation offoreign natural
persons orcompanies inother professional services. Foreigners enjoy national treatment.
Question 186.
What isthesituation regarding theparticipation offoreign natural persons andcompanies in
thebusiness services sector?
Answer:
There isnorestriction regarding theparticipation offoreign natural persons (Articles 16and
17,ForeignInvestmentLaw)andcompanies(Article4,ForeignInvestmentLaw)inthebusinessservices
sector.
Question 187.
Itisstated thatlicences bytheFinance Ministry arerequired inorder toestablish accounting
firms. What arethecriteria toissue suchlicences? Arethere anyrestrictions ontheactivities
offoreign accounting andauditing firms, which aredifferent from therestrictions onthose of
domestic firms?
Answer:
Inorder togetalicence tocarry outauditing andaccounting services acompany hastosubmit
thefollowing documents totheMinistry ofFinance:
- registration asabusiness attheMinistry ofJustice;
- registration number from theTaxCollection Service (Fiscal Code);
- seal/stamp;
- document fromtheMinistry ofFinance certifying thattheapplicant (thephysical person) has
passed theexamination forauditors oraccountants. Foreign companies maysubmit anauditing
oraccounting licence/certificate from theircountry oforigin instead ofthedocument ofthe
Ministry ofFinance;
- company charter.
Allfirms submitting theabove documents willbeissued alicence.
Transport services
Question 188.
Could theMoldovan authorities explain thecurrent situation vis-a-vis thedifferent modes of
transport (road, rail,air)andtransport auxiliary services?WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page64
Answer:
(a) Privatization
Privatization isakeyelement ofeconomic reform inthetransport sector. Today thetotalprivate
capital share inthetransport sector isestimated atmore than50percent:56percentinroadtransport,
39percentinriver transport, 45percentinroadtransport facilities, 35percentinthetransport
industry.
Theprivate sector share increases andprivate enterprises successfully compete withtheState
enterprises.
Asaresult theprocess oftheprivatization anddemonopolization ofthetransport services market
therearemore andmore roadtransport facilities. Inashort timethesystem ofstrict public regulation
andState monopolies wasliquidated andaneweconomic environment based oncompetition and
entrepreneurship wascreated.
Theexperience of1996 proved thatservices provided bytheprivate sector meettheclients ‘
requirements toagreater extent andarecheaper thanthese onesprovided bypublic sector. Asan
example, theshare oftransportation services provided bytheprivate sector inroadtransport accounts
for95percentandhasanupward trend. More than11,000 private companies operate inthecountry,
40ofthem aremedium andlarge ones.
Therefore, thestrategy andtransport development programme for1997 envisages further
privatization inthetransport sector except forStatemonopolization (e.g.railways andbusstations).
(b) Road transport
InMoldova, roadtransport isunder theresponsibility oftheRoads Department oftheMinistry
ofTransport (MoT). TheMoT isresponsible fortheadministration, construction andmaintenance
ofthepublic (national andlocal) roadnetwork, while individual municipalities areresponsible forthe
urban network. Agricultural enterprises administer agricultural andforestry roads.
Road transport isestimated tocarry more than76percent(71million tons)ofMoldovan total
domestic freight transport (92.6 million tons), while theshare ofroadpassenger transport, including
international, intercity, suburban andurban bustransportation aswellastaxis, isestimated atmore
than83percent(75.4millionpassengers)oftotaldomesticpassengertransport(90.7millionpassengers)
in1997.
(c) Railtransport
LiketheRoads Department, Moldovan Railways areadepartment oftheMoT. Thepercentage
ofMoldovan Railways intotaldomestic freight transport isestimated at23percent(21.3 million tons)
andintotalpassenger transport at16percent(15million passengers) in1997.
Today, therailtransport sector facesgreatfinancial difficulties, astransport costshavesharply
increased duetoraising energy costs. Inaddition, railsareinapoortechnical stateandtheobsolete
locomotives andcarsofwhich themajority wasinherited fromtheformer Soviet Union donotmeet
modern transportation requirements.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page65
(d) Airtransport
Atpresent, there are10aviation companies registered inMoldova. Passengers arecarried by
theState-owned AirMoldova andtwoprivate ones-AirMoldova International andMoldovan Airlines.
Theother companies -Renan, Vichi, Valan, Aeriantur-M, NTA, AirTrans NGGgroup, andMicma
ITL-arecargo andmailcarriers, ofwhich Renan isthemost important.
There arethree foreign aviation companies, including Tarom ofRomania, andAeroflot and
Transaero ofRussia, which haveopened theirrepresentations inChisinau.
Estimates for1997indicate ashare of1,7percent(1.6million tons)oftotaldomestic freight
transport andashare of0.1percent(0.11 million passengers) oftotalpassenger transport.
(e) River transport
InMoldova there aretwointernal waterways, theNistru andthePrut, which areincluded in
theEuropean Agreement onInternal Waterways (E-90-03 andE80-07).
Theestimated share ofrivertransport oftotaldomestic freight transport in1997is0.3percent
(0.32 million tons) and0.3percent(0.32 million passengers) oftotalpassenger transport.
Question 189.
Areforeign operators offered national treatment inthese different modes?
Answer:
Foreign operators areoffered national treatment. Adraftlawisinpreparation.
Question 190.
Does Moldova intend toinclude transport initsservices offer?
Answer:
Seereply toquestion under chapter VI.1. -General.
Question 191.
Could theMoldovan authorities explain what provisions (ifany)govern themaritime sector?
Answer:
Atpresent, there arenoprovisions governing themaritime sector. However, adraftlawon
internal naval transport aswellasadraftcodeoncommercial maritime navigation ishasbeenprepared
bytheMoT. These codes incorporate thebasic principles oftherelevant international conventions,
public andprivate law.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page66
VII. INSTITUTIONAL BASE FOR MOLDOVA 'STRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS
WITH THIRD COUNTRIES
Question 192.
Itisstated thatMoldova andeight CIScountries signed aframework agreement towards the
creation ofacustoms union. What istheview ofMoldova ontheprospect forthecreation of
suchacustoms union? How willconsistency withtheWTO Agreement beensured?
Answer:
Moldova supports economic integration within theCIS.TheGovernment ofMoldova cannot
predict when andhowthecustoms union willcome about. ItisMoldova 'sintention toensure thatthe
customs union andthesteps leading toitwillbeinconformity withtheprovisions ofArticle XXIV
oftheGATT.
Asallpotential members ofthefuture customs union areintheprocess ofacceding totheWTO
consistency withtheWTO provisions willbeensured.
Question 193.
Which trade agreements doesMoldova consider willneedtobenotified under Article XXIV of
theGATT 1994 orArticle VoftheGATS?
Answer:
Moldova willinduecourse notify allagreements oncustoms unions andfreetrade areas into
which thecountry hasentered. Atthepresent time, freetradeagreements inthesense ofArticle XXIV
oftheGATT andArticle VoftheGATS havebeenconcluded withthenineCIScountries listed on
page57ofWT/ACC/MOL/2 (Annex 8(a))andwithRomania.
Question 194.
Please provide theWorking Party withthetextsofallFreeTrade Agreements towhich Moldova
isaparty.
Answer:
Thetextsofthefreetrade agreements mentioned inthepreceding answer areavailable inthe
Secretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126) forconsultation.
Question 195.
ForeachFree Trade Agreement, please provide details ofthepercentage trade overall andin
eachmajor sector which isexcluded from thefreetrade regime.
Answer:
Inprinciple, thefreetrade agreements cover thetotaltradeandnoproduct sector isexcluded.
However, parties mayintroduce customs duties forindividual products onatemporary basis.WT/ACC/MOL/3
Page67
Question 196.
Moldova saysthatgoods originating from itsfreetrade agreement partners areexempt from "all
customs tariffs, taxes andfeesthatbeartheequivalent effect onexports andimports". What taxes
andfeesarecovered? Dotheyinclude excise taxes andcustoms userfees?
Answer:
Thefreetrade agreements concluded withRomania andCIScountries provide forexemption
from customs duties. Separate agreements wereconcluded withtheCIScountries which established
theprinciple oforigin forVAT andexcise purposes. Romanian goods aresubject toVAT andexcise
taxes. Customs userfeeshavetobepaidinbothcases.
Theabove notwithstanding Russian oilandoilproducts aresubject toexcise taxes.
Asdescribed inresponse tothequestions onVAT above, theVAT andexcise taxregime is
intheprocess ofchange.
Question 197.
Please explain inmore detail theprovision intheTrade Agreement withIranrelating to"mutual
non-tariff facilities".
Answer:
Article 10oftheTrade Agreement between Moldova andIranof1994 provides thatinorder
topromote commercial relations between thetwocountries, theywillexamine thepossibility toaccord
eachother "non-tariff facilities". There hasbeennofollow-up tothisprovision.