Premier Pavel Filip has met representatives of the Chinese companies China Railway 14th Bureau Group and International Engineering Branch who are interested in investing in Moldova. The prime minister appreciated the traditional friendship relations with the People's Republic of China and the upward dynamics of bilateral trade and economic cooperation. China is currently the fifth trading partner of our country.

Pavel Filip specified that a government team is negotiating the possibility of obtaining a Free Trade Agreement between Moldova and China. Also, in order to boost bilateral relations, Moldova simplifies the procedure for entry into country of Chinese citizens who don't need invitation in this purpose, and those holding a US or a Schengen visa or residence permit, or a member of the EU, do not need an entry visa on our country.

"Moldova has a favorable legal framework, a favorable geographical position and it has free economic space with the EU and the CIS. We are ready to talk about different forms of cooperation," said Pavel Filip.

The prime minister encouraged Chinese companies to participate in projects in strategic sectors in our country such as road, rail and airport infrastructure, aqueduct construction, energy and waste processing.

Representatives of Chinese companies have confirmed their readiness to invest in these areas and come up with concrete proposals, concluding Memoranda of Understanding to this end, even during the current visit.

In Moldova there are 85 companies with Chinese investments, the capital invested being almost 5 million lei. The volume of foreign trade from countries in January-May 2018 amounted to over 245 million dollars, 36% more than in 2017.