LIVE TEXT // Investment Conference in Chișinău. Deputy Prime Minister: Moldova advancing toward full integration into European market

Chișinău is hosting today the first Republic of Moldova – European Union Investment Conference. The event is dedicated to investment opportunities in our country and its role as a driver of growth within the European economic area. It brings together political decisionmakers, European institutions, financial organizations, investors, business leaders, and experts from various sectors.

Update 09:36 The Republic of Moldova has made significant progress in the process of integration into the European single market and is approaching the goal of ensuring the four fundamental freedoms of the European Union, said Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization Eugen Osmochescu.

The official recalled that the free movement of capital, goods, services, and people are the pillars of the European internal market, and that the Republic of Moldova has already achieved important results in some of these areas.

“We have almost fully achieved the free movement of people. We benefit from a liberalized visa regime. We participate in initiatives aimed at integrating into the European internal market. What remains is the area of services. This is a difficult task that has to be completed on time and which requires alignment with European standards in the field of services by 2025. This is the Government’s commitment. Next, of course, will follow the free movement of capital,” said Osmochescu.

The Deputy Prime Minister made two important announcements:

“First of all, we are finally launching the Fund of Funds on June 18. It will be officially launched, so I encourage you to submit your expressions of interest. This is the first stage of this governmental financing instrument. Second, today we are announcing, together with the Lithuanian side, the launch of a program implemented in cooperation with Bohmen, an organization which, although not an EU agency, plays an important role in the internationalization process and in attracting investments into the strategic sectors we have identified,” Osmochescu specified.

Update 09:27 The Republic of Moldova is no longer just a country with potential, but one that is turning its European partners’ trust into concrete investments and projects, stated Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu. The head of the Executive emphasized that the Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova, launched by the European Union a year ago, is one of the most important proofs of confidence granted to our country.

“Today we are not gathered here to discuss whether Moldova has potential. That question has already been answered. We are here to discuss how quickly we can turn this potential into economic growth and how fast we can transform trust into investments. The EU–Moldova Investment Conference is more than just an event. It is a platform that brings together investors, business leaders, decisionmakers, and innovators to build partnerships, strengthen economic ties, and create new opportunities for growth and investment. The theme of this year’s conference perfectly captures the moment we are living: ‘Invest in Europe’s next success story.’ For Moldova, this is not just a motto. It is a strategy. A strategy built on reforms, investments, and European integration,” said Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu.

Alexandru Munteanu referred to the European path of other states in the region, such as Croatia and Romania, noting that the Republic of Moldova is now ready to take its place in the European family.

“Moldova’s European future is no longer measured in promises. It is measured in roads being built, modernized energy infrastructure, digitalized public services, funded businesses, and materialized investments. In fact, Moldova is no longer just preparing for the European economy. Moldova is becoming part of the European economy,” Munteanu declared.

The official stressed that European integration is not just a political objective, but a profound economic transformation, which means strong institutions, more efficient governance, increased competitiveness, and a predictable business environment.

Update 09:14 The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, said that the Republic of Moldova is now perceived in the European Union as a country with significant development potential, which is rapidly advancing on the path of reforms and European integration. The message was delivered at the Republic of Moldova – European Union Investment Conference.

“It is a great pleasure to be back in Moldova. It has been about a year since I was here to sign the European Union’s Growth Plan, the largest financial support package offered by the EU to the Republic of Moldova since it gained independence. At that time, I traveled across the country to meet the people who would benefit from this support, the mayors who would help implement the projects, and the entrepreneurs who would turn them into reality. From Ungheni, Bălți, and Edineț to Comrat, Cahul, and the Danube Delta, I met many ambitious and hard-working people. I also met many young people eager to seize the opportunities that their European future will bring here, at home. This is the call we are answering today through this investment conference,” said Marta Kos.

Marta Kos said that the past few years have changed the way Europe sees the Republic of Moldova.

“Europe sees Moldova’s potential,” she underlined. The official remarked that the Republic of Moldova has withstood foreign interference and hybrid attacks, consistently choosing the European path. At the same time, she highlighted the authorities’ efforts to combat corruption and organized crime, as well as the rapid pace of reforms required for accession to the European Union. “Europeans have seen a country fighting against corruption and organized crime, sending to prison people who once seemed untouchable. And we see a nation that is implementing the reforms necessary for accession to the European Union at a record pace,” Marta Kos said.

Update 09:04 The President of the Republic of Moldova opened the proceedings of the Investment Forum. Maia Sandu welcomed the presence of European investors in Chișinău:

“The European path means investments, jobs, and a future here at home. Today in Chișinău we welcome more and more private investors, development banks, and friends from the European Union who want to take part in Moldova’s economic success. Our daily work is to transform Moldova’s European path into real opportunities for people, so that all Moldovans can enjoy peace, security, and prosperity at home, in the European family. Once the reconstruction of Ukraine begins, Moldova will become a natural hub for logistics, services, production, and energy. Thus, when you invest here, you invest in the future of the entire European region. My commitment to you is that you will not walk the investment path in Moldova alone. This government will stand by investors to reduce bureaucracy and solve problems before they become obstacles,” the president declared.

Maia Sandu appealed to European investors to participate in the economic development of the Republic of Moldova and to become part of “Moldova’s success story”:

“Dear friends, we are a small country. And this means that we have to try harder, move faster, and work more than others to earn your trust. That is exactly what we are doing. People often ask me what guarantees Moldova can offer an investor. My answer is simple: our results. We act quickly and we keep our commitments. We have proven this even under the most difficult conditions that a small country can face. And we will prove it to you as well. Be part of Moldova’s success story,” urged Maia Sandu.

The conference aims to become a platform for analyzing strategic investment opportunities between our country and the EU and will be opened by President Maia Sandu, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, and Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu.

According to the Investment Agency, this high-level opening will set the framework for a strategic dialogue on the Republic of Moldova’s investment potential, the country’s integration into European value chains, and the opportunities created by the EU Growth Plan for Moldova.

Held under the motto “Invest in Europe’s next success story,” the conference will focus on investments that can strengthen EU–Moldova supply chains and support our country’s economic growth.

As part of the conference, the signing of several investment partnerships is planned. The program will also include high-level discussions, round tables, sectoral pitching sessions, and B2B business meetings, covering key areas such as energy, the agri-food sector, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, transport and connectivity, innovation, and biotechnology. The priority areas addressed at the conference are the capital market and financial instruments for investments, energy and the green transition, transport, logistics and European connectivity, agro-processing and rural investments, industry and integration into European value chains, innovation, digitalization, health, and biotechnology.

The conference is taking place one year after the launch of the EU Growth Plan for Moldova – an investment package of up to 1.9 billion euros for the period 2025–2027. During the event, Deputy Prime Minister Eugeniu Osmochescu, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, will deliver a speech on the importance of the EU Growth Plan for investors, companies, and the economic future of the Republic of Moldova. His keynote address, “Growth Plan for Moldova,” will highlight how the Republic of Moldova can turn reform progress, European Union support, and sectoral opportunities into concrete investment projects and sustainable economic partnerships.

At the same time, the event is organized in the context of the European Commission’s call for expressions of interest regarding investments in the Republic of Moldova, open to companies from the European Union, the European Economic Area, and the Republic of Moldova. The call has already generated significant interest, with 45 project proposals submitted in the first stage, targeting areas such as energy and renewables, the agri-food sector, digitalization, transport, and logistics.

The Investment Agency announced that the number of registration requests for the event has exceeded the available capacity of the venue, which reflects the high level of interest in the Republic of Moldova’s investment agenda, its ongoing reform efforts, and its deepening integration into the European economic area. Under these conditions, the registration period was closed before the initially announced deadline. The event will also be available online.

The conference is organized by the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the European Commission, with the support of the Investment Agency and the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, and marks one year since the launch of the Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova.

Statistics confirm that the European Union is the main trading partner and the largest foreign investor for the Republic of Moldova. Around 68% of the country’s exports go to the EU market, and most of the direct investments in the economy come from EU member states.