Romania may increase exports to Canada after the free trade agreement between the European Union and Canada, also known as CETA, comes into force.

Romanian producers could be competitive on market segments such as footwear, agricultural products, shipbuilding, automotive, ceramics and textiles, according to a press release of the Canadian Embassy in Romania.

The European Parliament approved the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the EU on February 15. One of the agreement’s consequences is that all Romanians and Bulgarians will be able to travel to Canada without visas starting December 1, 2017, the same as the citizens from other EU member states. For those who have traveled to Canada in the last 10 years, the visas will be lifter starting May 1.

However, besides the visa elimination, CETA also brings economic benefits to the parts involved, including Romania, according to the Canadian Embassy. For example, the cars produced in Romania could become more competitive on the Canadian market.

“The custom duties in the car sector, which are currently 9.5%, will be eliminated after implementing CETA,” the Embassy says.

Canadian investments in EU countries, including Romania, will also be stimulated, according to the same document.

Romanians travel visa-free to Canada after EU Parliament approves CETA deal

editor@romania-insider.com