OREANDA-NEWS. Deputy Prime Minister, Economics Minister Stephane Bride met French Ambassador to Chisinau Pascal Vagogne on 7 October. The officials discussed issues of development of economic relations and deepening bilateral cooperation between Moldova and France.

Stephane Bride stressed that Moldova was interested in deepening and extending the bilateral cooperation with France. In the context, the economics minister reiterated Moldova's interest in fostering the bilateral ties at all levels, working out and implementing investment projects in the country with the participation of French companies. The minister gave the example of successful histories on the Moldovan market of France Telecom enterprises in telecommunications, Lafarge in constructions, Lactalis and Bargues Agro Industry in agriculture and Societe Generale in the banking sector.

The official said that boosting the economic relations were included on the agenda of his talks both with French Minister of the Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs Emmanuel Macron and representatives of different state institutions from France, business environment, during a working visit to France, scheduled for 28-30 October.

For his part, Pascal Vagogne reiterated France's interest  to develop the bilateral relations with Moldova. He noted that the analysis of their current stage showed unused reserves in different sectors. 

Touching upon the extension of the bilateral cooperation, attracting French investments in the Moldovan economy, the diplomat stressed that the Moldovan authorities had to carry out a more active campaign on promoting opportunities offered to potential investors in all sectors, including by more clearly presenting the agenda of reforms, scheduled for short, medium and long terms. Also, Vagogne said that Bride's visit to France was a good opportunity for companies and business people to learn from the first source about Moldova, projects on reformation and development of the national economy.

In January-June 2015, the exports made by Moldovan economic agents to France amounted to 22.3 million dollars, up by 16.4 per cent against the same period of 2014. The quota of exports to France was estimated at 2.25 per cent in the first six months against 1.6 per cent in January-June 2014.