The Challenge

Moldova, a small landlocked nation between Romania and Ukraine, is one of the most trade-dependent countries in Europe. Its agrarian economy depends largely on key exports such as wine, fruits, cereals, and sunflower oil. And more than half of all Moldovan trade flows to and from the European Union (EU).

Yet Moldova’s trade infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with the country’s growing ambitions, hampered by paper-based procedures, fragmented digital systems, and outdated inspection models—particularly in sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls and border clearance. As the country pursues its goal of integrating with the EU, its two main trade governance institutions—Moldova Customs Service and the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA)—are under increasing pressure to modernise operations, reduce trade bottlenecks, and align with EU regulatory standards.

To realise its EU integration ambitions, Moldova must shift away from manual, fragmented processes and embrace a modern, digital, and risk-based approach to trade and SPS management.

 

What We Are Doing

Through targeted digital transformation and inter-agency coordination, the Alliance initiative in Moldova aims to streamline trade procedures, reduce compliance burdens, and align the country’s systems with EU and global standards.

Specifically, the project will:

  • Develop eight priority digital services at ANSA, improving traceability, transparency, and risk-based controls.
  • Pilot an Agricultural AEO programme, extending trusted trader benefits to registered agri-food businesses to encourage voluntary compliance and expedite processing.
  • Establish real-time data exchange between Customs and ANSA, enabling more efficient, coordinated border management.
  • Create a Modernisation Unit within Moldova Customs to institutionalise continuous improvement and regulatory reform.

While the full scope of the project is still to be confirmed, activities will be implemented in line with the Alliance’s public-private partnership model, engaging local businesses, customs brokers, and agricultural exporters to ensure reforms are practical, effective, and sustainable.

 

The Impacts

By strengthening border governance and digitalising key regulatory services, the project will:

  • Reduce clearance times and compliance costs, particularly for small and medium-sized agri-food traders.
  • Enhance risk management through targeted inspections, replacing blanket checks with smarter, data-driven processes.
  • Improve collaboration between Customs and ANSA, supporting coordinated decision-making and minimising duplication.
  • Build trust and transparency in SPS controls, reinforcing Moldova’s readiness for EU market access.
  • Boost the competitiveness of Moldovan businesses by increasing their capacity to engage in European and global markets.

In the longer term, the project lays the foundation for deeper regulatory alignment with the EU and supports Moldova’s broader economic development and trade integration goals.