Moldova: Road Transport

The transportation system and the road network are the most important elements of the productive infrastructure of the Republic's economy. Their level of development influences considerably the way in which the economic and social tasks of the entire country are performed.

Transportation, as a basic field of the productive infrastructure is oriented towards offering high quality and efficient services to the economy and population and this requires regular improvement of this sphere.

The roads carry more than 70% of the total volume of goods. They form a key element of the potential of the national economy. Roads convey the major part of raw materials, goods, agricultural products, local labour force, on national and international levels.

The public roads network is under State administration and is supervised by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Total length of public roads network in the Republic of Moldova is 9,402 km, from which: 2,814 km are national roads, 6,588 km – local roads.

The main international roads are Cernovtsy –Balti – Chisinau and Iasi –Sculeni – Balti – Soroca.

There are 5,755 economic agents involved in the road transportation, including 3,720 enterprises involved in goods transportation and 2,035 enterprises engaged in passenger transportation.

Passenger traffic, carried on by buses and mini? buses, runs at a constant level, from 70 to 75 million passengers per year.

International road transport is regulated through international bilateral agreements signed with 30 countries and six international conventions to which the Republic of Moldova is a party. At the moment, drafts of bilateral agreements with 16 countries are drawn up. Road traffic bound for Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Italy and other countries is developing.

One of the most important objectives is the inclusion of the Republic of Moldova in the European transportation system. The 9th European transportation corridor linking the Scandinavian countries with the Balkan states will pass through the territory of the Republic of Moldova. This will accelerate integration of the Republic of Moldova into the European Union, and create favorable environment for the economy and employment.