Survey: What do entrepreneurs think about the implementation of the DCFTA in the Republic of Moldova

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, with the support of the European Union, launched in late 2015 a study regarding the DCFTA challenges and opportunities for SMEs from Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

The total number of SMEs surveyed in Moldova is 67 comprising 29 in North region, 16 in Center region, 6 in South region, 5 in Gagauzia and 11 in Transnistria.

More than 54% of respondents do carry out both import and export operations, 4% of firms are dealing mostly with import and other 13% with export operations, while about 8 % of respondents do not have neither import nor export operations.

According to the respondents’ opinion the most favoured domestic industries that will benefit from the DCFTA are the following: agriculture, food industry, textile industry, wholesale and retail trade, hotels and restaurants etc.

In opinion of the 75% of respondents DCFTA will have a positive impact on the quality improvement of domestic goods, 18% suppose that the quality will remain unchanged and 7% of interviewees expect that the quality of domestic goods will be worsen after DCFTA implementation.

However, from the other side, businesses in agriculture, wholesale trade, food industry, textile industry, retail trade and engineering industry could feel some negative impact of the DCFTA. To mention, that the most of negative quotations came from respondents from Transnistria region.

In conclusion, the respondents’ opinion referring to the possible impact of the DCFTA over their businesses is rather positive that was mentioned by about 72% of interviewees. Some 18% of respondents do not have specific expectations considering that there will be no impact after this event, and only 11% of the interviewed entrepreneurs expect a negative impact of the DCFTA implementation. To mention, that only respondents from North region and Transnistria have negative expectations from DCFTA.

The survey can be downloaded below: