Tenth session of Türkiye – Moldova Intergovernmental Joint Economic Commission (JEC), held in Ministry of Health, Ankara, ended after signing the protocol. Minister Dr. Fahrettin Koca met Minister of Economy of Moldova Sergiu Gaibu before JEC meeting.
During his speech, Minister Koca stated that JEC meetings were important platforms where economic and commercial affairs were discussed thoroughly and roadmaps for upcoming periods were determined. Minister also noted that current situation on commercial and economic affairs were discussed and actions to be taken were determined before possible visit of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Moldova.
Koca said “The protocol we will sign today will be an important step in increasing our trade volume, which increased by 61 percent in 2021 and by 43 percent in the first half of 2022, to the level of 1 billion dollars in the near future.”
Having a fruitful bilateral meeting with Minister of Economy of Moldova Sergiu Gaibu and exchanging views on enhancing cooperation in many fields, primarily commerce, economy, industry, transport, agriculture, health and energy, Koca added:
“We agree that initiating the activities on expansion of Free Trade Agreement will be an important step in terms of our trade. There is no doubt that our agreement will contribute into our long-term amicable relations. What we are going to do next is to keep working hard and to seek an answer on what we can do better.”
Health investments and health service procurement areas
Minister Fahrettin Koca stated that he touched on the health issues with guest minister, and added:
“With Joint Working Group to be established between Ministries of Health, we will determine our priorities regarding the activities carried out in the field of health and take the necessary steps rapidly. Türkiye is a crucial centre of attraction in terms of robust infrastructure in public and private sector, doctors and other health professionals with high level of knowledge and experience, and also especially international patient treatment, in other words, health tourism.
We expressed that Türkiye is an important trade partner for Moldova in the fields of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and medical supplies, international patient treatment, health information systems, health investments and service procurements, and we are ready for the activities that will increase our mutual market share in this field. I believe that we can progress even faster in such areas within the framework of the protocols to be signed between the International Health Services Incorporated Company (USHAŞ), which is a private company affiliated to Ministry of Health, and its Moldovan partners.”
Koca wished that the protocol would further the existing relations between two brotherly countries.
“Türkiye is one of the most important trade partners for Moldova worldwide.”
Highlighting that they will provide support in order to further develop economic and commercial relations between two countries, Gaibu said “Türkiye is one of the most important trade partners for Moldova worldwide.”
Gaibu also stated that there are more than 1100 Turkish-capitalized companies and they have invested 70 million dollars.
The ministers signed JEC Protocol following their speeches.