VIDEO // Global trade trends, identification of new export markets discussed at Moldova Trade Forum 2025

Dozens of producers from across Moldova, including from the left bank of the Dniester, international experts, government officials and representatives of development partners have gathered at the fifth edition of the Moldova Trade Forum. Participants analyzed global trade trends, identified new export markets, and discussed solutions for integrating innovation and sustainability in business.





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Swedish Ambassador to Moldova Petra Lärke emphasized that recent challenges – the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the energy crisis – had proved the need for adaptability and innovation.

“Starting from the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, characterized by drought trade wars and energy shocks, today is an opportunity to adapt and prepare our way forward. As the global trade landscape has changed, in addition to innovation and strategies, we need new solutions for survival. Sweden supports Moldova on its path to a responsible, competitive and inclusive economy. Also, Sweden strongly supports Moldova's aspirations to join the EU, and much of our efforts to support reforms in this country aim at supporting this process,” said Petra Lärke.

For her part, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Moldova Fern Horine  described the Forum as a platform for fair trade and development of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); increasing Moldova's competitiveness and European integration; supporting economic governance, access to finance and creating a friendly environment for the private sector.

The diplomat reaffirmed the UK's role as a strategic partner of Moldova for the country's economic security and prosperity.

“The United Kingdom is a long-standing and reliable partner of Moldova, supporting its efforts to build a more resilient, sustainable and inclusive economy. Through the Ad Trade project, the United Kingdom has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs on both banks of the Dniester expand their markets, modernize production processes and establish new business partnerships. This year's theme, ‘Navigating and Changing,’ is extremely relevant for businesses in Moldova, as strategic adaptation is not only about the facing of challenges, but also an opportunity to become more competitive in the long term. As Moldova advances in its process of European integration, aligning standards with the requirements of the European single market, more small and medium-sized enterprises will be opened. Therefore, the United Kingdom stays committed to supporting this transformation, by strengthening economic governance, expanding access to finance and creating favorable conditions for private sector development,” noted Fern Horine.

Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Moldova Daniela Gasparikova said that the event supported exporters from both banks of the Dniester, with the main aim of strengthening export skills and promoting innovation.

“We are proud to organize the Moldova Trade Forum, a reference platform that connects decision-makers, exporters and global experts, in order to identify strategic solutions to economic challenges. The Forum supports local businesses in establishing partnerships with national retailers and international networks,” estimated Gasparikova.

The second day of the Moldova Trade Forum, scheduled for November 20, 2025, will be held online and will be dedicated to connecting Moldovan entrepreneurs with international trade partners and networks through a special B2B platform.

The Moldova Trade Forum is organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) project, Strengthening Export Capacities on the Dniester Banks (AdTrade), with financial support on behalf of Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Under the AdTrade project, hundreds of SMEs benefited from training, mentoring and consultancy for expanding export markets and modernizing production processes and implementing international standards.

At the same time, the project facilitated the creation of new business partnerships and connections with international retail networks, including among producers on both banks of the Dniester, promoting innovation and sustainability.