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This article was originally published at: https://blacksea-cbc.net/projects-newsevents/winet-bsb-638-first-cooperation-agreements-were-signed-with-the-representatives-of-the-wine-sector/

The winemaking companies from the Republic of Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria will receive another opportunity to promote their business. This will lead to export increasing on the international level, grow of cross-border trade operations and modernization for the whole agricultural sector.The cross-border project “WINET – Trade and innovation in wine sector” will unite the wine producers from Moldova, 6 regions of Romania (Tulcea, Constanta, Galati, Braila, Buzau and Vrancea), and from Bulgaria Severoiztochen region (which includes Varna, Dobrich, Targovishte and Shumen) and Yugoiztochen region (Burgas, Sliven, Yambol, and Stara Zagora). The project has successfully reached the stage of creation the participants’ network. On 31 January 2020, the ceremony of signing the collaboration protocols with wine producing companies from mentioned regions took place in a cross-border format. This will be a starting point for online platform creation.

The Moldovan Investment Agency is responsible for project implementation, being the lead partner of the project in the field of trade and cooperation for the wine sector. Agency works together with partners: Chamber of Commerce and Industry Stara Zagora (CCISZ) from Bulgaria and Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Tulcea (CCIATL) from Romania.

Rodica Verbeniuc, the General Manager of Moldovan Investment Agency: „The WINET project is in line with the Agency’s strategy of developing the platforms for strengthening and widening the possibilities for promotion and exporting of products and services produced in Moldova. Moreover, this initiative became a premiere for our country because it is for the first time when Moldova is partner and a leader of the first cross-border project for the Black Sea Region in trade and cooperation for wine sector. WINET online platform will become a new instrument of digital communication – effective, rapid and free of charge. The winemakers from different countries will be able to promote their products and increase the brand awareness of their products. Everyone knows that Wine of Moldova brand has become a true ambassador of our country abroad, and due to the high quality of our wines, last year, Moldovan winemakers have brought back home over 800 medals from important international competitions. We would like these successes to grow, and the communication with the potential consumer and distributors become more effective”.

Daniel Ionita, Ambassador of Romania in the Republic of Moldova: „Congratulation with this wonderful initiative, which aims to unite Romania, Bulgaria and Republic of Moldova in a common effort to promote one of the most essential components of our national legacy. Why this project is so important? First of all, because one of results will be experience exchange between third parties, including the best practices, like wine routes, wine selling networks and shops and secondly, because of the increasing export to other countries. The project joins the Europe 2020 objectives by facilitating cross-border product offerings online, by implementing high-speed networks and an advanced ICT solution – WINET platform to help stakeholders, target groups in the wine sector to better know each offer. From our point of view, WINET contributes to the approximation of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union, and this objective is constantly supported by Romania and promoted at European level and with other opportunities. We want your results to be known and appreciated by all of us and I believe that if you want such interactions the Union can be born.”

Evgueni Stefanov Stoytchev, Ambassador of Bulgaria in the Republic of Moldova: „WINET is the first cross-border project between Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova, which unite their efforts to develop the wine economy of the three countries. This project is essential for increasing the capacity and professional experience of the professionals in this sector, and the employees in the field must cooperate, exchange ideas and partner to increase the competitiveness of the products in this industry. I wish you success and we hope that by the end of 2020 we will see the results of this wonderful initiative.”

The WINET project involves the creation of a communication platform that can attract important players in the wine sector from all three participating countries. More than 114 wineries of the Black Sea countries, 22 national administration bodies (local and regional), 17 interest groups and public organizations, 10 research centers, representatives of the IT industry and higher education institutions, 3 business support organizations and 3 regional agencies will become participants in the platform.

The benefits of being a part of the WINET project

Here are just some of the benefits that participation in the project provides:

• The opportunity to become a member of the first international online network of manufacturers and exporters, which will bring together more than 114 wine industry companies from the countries of the Black Sea region;
• Access to a network of international distributors with the ability to conclude direct contracts;
• Access to an extensive wine market that brings together several countries;
• The presence of company information in a mobile application available to users of  Android and iOS systems. The application, in one click, will provide the user with direct access to goods and services;
• Optimization of expenses for the promotion of products in international markets as part of various events and in social networks;
• The opportunity to become part of the tourist route in the territory of the participating countries and the opportunity to promote own events and cultural and tourist initiatives.

You may address questions or requests about the conditions of participation in the WINET project to the Network coordinator Elena Oleinic-Slivinschi at office@winet.wine,  elena.oleinic-slivinschi@invest.gov.md or by phone 022273654.