Moldova could serve as platform for Ukrainian businesses expanding into Romanian market

The Republic of Moldova could become a platform for Ukrainian entrepreneurs seeking to expand their businesses into the Romanian market and the Balkans, benefiting from a familiar cultural environment, infrastructure, and close economic ties with Romania. The statement was made by Prime Minister Vasile Tofan at the International Economic Forum in Kyiv.

The Prime Minister said that the Republic of Moldova is open to contributing to the development of Ukrainian businesses by creating additional logistics routes, developing production platforms, and facilitating access to regional markets.


“For Ukrainian entrepreneurs, the Republic of Moldova can serve as a platform for expanding their businesses into the Romanian market, within a familiar cultural environment,” said Vasile Tofan.




He particularly highlighted the opportunities for cooperation with Romania, an economy with a gross domestic product of more than $450 billion, with which the Republic of Moldova shares a language, infrastructure, and close economic ties.


“We want Ukrainian businesses to become stronger. And if the Republic of Moldova can contribute to this goal, we are open to doing so,” the Prime Minister emphasized.




At the same time, Vasile Tofan acknowledged that the small size of the domestic market is a challenge for the Republic of Moldova. In his view, the country must attract investment and become more competitive through faster administrative processes, simple rules, and an investor-friendly attitude.


“Therefore, we must compete not through size, but through speed, simple rules, and an investor-friendly attitude,” the Prime Minister said.


Vasile Tofan said that the authorities are working to make the state more efficient, faster, and more predictable, noting that before taking public office, he had been an investor for many years and was familiar with the difficulties faced by the business community in its dealings with state institutions.


“I am now on the other side of the table, and I remember very well how frustrating this can be,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the Republic of Moldova would openly support joint projects with the Ukrainian business community.


He also referred to the possibility that, in the long term, the Republic of Moldova could become “a kind of Ireland of Eastern Europe,” while noting that much work remains to be done to achieve this goal.



Prime Minister Vasile Tofan participated in the International Economic Forum in Kyiv, where he spoke about the resilience of the Ukrainian economy, investment opportunities, and the role of the Republic of Moldova in strengthening regional economic ties. In his speech, the head of the government highlighted the ability of Ukrainian entrepreneurs to continue developing businesses, investing, and innovating despite the war and Russia’s systematic attacks on energy, industrial, and logistics infrastructure.


“For many years, I believed in Ukraine as an investor. Today, I believe in Ukraine’s economic future as a neighbor and a friend. Not because I underestimate the risks, but because I know the people who are building this future. I am convinced that, once peace comes, investors will want to participate in the revival of the Ukrainian economy,” the Prime Minister said.


The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Republic of Moldova’s support for Ukraine and expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian soldiers who, by defending their country, contribute to the security of the Republic of Moldova. He emphasized that solidarity between the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine must also be reflected in concrete measures to support the Ukrainian economy.