VIDEO // Moldexpo Exhibition Center aims to become Moldova Expo Park, regional hub for business, leisure, accommodation

The Moldexpo International Exhibition Center plans to transform into a multifunctional business park, with modern exhibition spaces, conference halls, business areas, leisure facilities and accommodation, under the new identity Moldova Expo Park (MXP). Investments of at least several tens of millions of euros are needed to create an internationally standardized center, while the sources of funding and the legal framework for implementing the project are yet to be established.





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The development vision today was presented by the Moldexpo management during a news conference held in Chisinau, in order to mark 30 years since the institution was founded and 70 years of exhibition tradition. According to the institution’s director, Zinaida Popa, the transformation is meant to overcome the current infrastructure’s limitations and adapt the center to the requirements of today’s business environment.

„MXP stands for Moldova Expo Park. It means moving from a traditional exhibition center to a multifunctional business park, an integrated economic ecosystem with the ambition of becoming a regional business hub,” the head of Moldexpo said.

The new visual identity represents not only a change of name, but also a broader vision of how the territory managed by the institution should be used. The concept provides for the integration of exhibition activities with the services necessary for business development, so that entrepreneurs can find promotion opportunities, partners and access to new markets in one place.

„What does this involve? It means building a space where an entrepreneur can benefit from the entire range of services needed to develop a business in one place. From presenting products and identifying markets to B2B meetings, matchmaking, training, conferences, experience sharing and establishing partnerships. It also includes complementary services, such as accommodation, gastronomy, leisure, cultural activities and spaces for interaction,” Popa said.

She stressed that the traditional model of organizing exhibitions no longer meets, on its own, the current needs of companies. Economic events increasingly involve meetings between partners, forums, conferences, innovation presentations and knowledge transfer, while the infrastructure must allow these activities to take place.

„Today, an exhibition is no longer, or no longer means, just stands, products and visitors. A modern exhibition means business meetings, matchmaking, conferences, forums, knowledge transfer, networking, innovation presentations and access to new markets. It means creating an environment where a company does not come merely to display a product, but to find solutions, partners and development opportunities,” the head of the institution stated.

Existing infrastructure has reached its capacity limits

One of the arguments in favor of the transformation is the lack of available space. According to Moldexpo management, exhibition revenue increased by more than 6 per cent over the past two years, but business expansion is limited by the existing areas, the lack of modern pavilions and the absence of conference halls adapted to international events.

„Moldexpo’s current infrastructure has reached its capacity limits and no longer fully meets the requirements of a modern exhibition center. We need larger exhibition areas, modern pavilions, halls for international conferences and forums, specialized spaces for B2B meetings and infrastructure adapted to new event formats,” Zinaida Popa said.

According to her, the team has tried to diversify its offer and attract participants and experts from various fields, but the capacity for expansion remains limited by the infrastructure.

„We can attract more events, develop new concepts and bring in more participants. But there is a physical limit that cannot be overcome through management support alone. We cannot sell more exhibition space than we have available,” she noted.

Over the past two years, Moldexpo has launched new exhibition concepts, including Beauty Autumn, Beauty Prof, Home Sweet Home and the Real Estate Exhibition. In addition, the Food & Drinks, Food Technology and Packaging Depot exhibitions were brought together in an integrated concept dedicated to the food industry and the HoReCa sector. The institution has also organized professional events, including an energy forum and a congress for specialists in the cosmetology sector.

In 2025, Moldexpo got ISO certification in quality management and in 2026 it underwent the surveillance assessment related to the certification.

The territory is to be divided into five functional zones

To develop the concept, the institution’s team prepared the Strategic Development Programme for 2025–2029, which includes priorities for the next five years and development directions for a horizon of more than ten years. A concept for the functional use of the existing territory was also developed, structured into five zones: exhibition, business, leisure, green spaces and an area with tourism potential, including future accommodation facilities.

Projects for which conceptual plans have been prepared include the development of a sakura avenue and topic-related green spaces, with the aim of integrating the Moldexpo territory into the city’s recreational network and creating a connection with „Valea Morilor” (Mills’ Valley) Park.

„A regional hub is not built exclusively from exhibition pavilions and conference halls. It needs life, communities and spaces where people want to return even when they are not attending an exhibition. We want Moldexpo to be a place for business communities, as well as cultural and social communities,” the director of the Moldexpo Center said.

Another project concerns the development of sports and leisure infrastructure through the creation of padel and pickleball courts and other recreational spaces. These facilities are expected to attract visitors even outside exhibition periods.

At the same time, a project is underway to modernize access control systems, reorganize parking areas and install video surveillance throughout the territory. According to management, the completion deadline was extended for reasons unrelated to the institution’s direct activities, but the project is continuing and remains a priority.

Investments of at least several tens of millions of euros

The total cost of the transformation has not yet been finalized. Asked about the resources needed to create a modern center, the Moldexpo head estimated that investments should amount to at least several tens of millions of euros.

„If we are talking about a modern center, we are talking about a minimum of tens of millions of euros,” the director said.

She noted that various international models are being analyzed, in order to estimate the exact costs, and that investment profiles are to be finalized with the support of the Investments Agency. In this context, management cited the exhibition center in Munich as an example, where the cost of one square meter of built exhibition space can reach 5,000 euros, due to the complex infrastructure. According to her, the example is indicative, and Moldexpo will identify solutions suited to its needs and capabilities.

„We are now determining what is most suitable for us and are working with the Investments Agency. They are helping us, and we are now finalizing our investment profiles. The exact figures will be included there. When I have more details, I will present them,” the head of the institution said.

At present, Moldexpo does not have the resources needed to build, for example, a hotel on its premises. Management is analyzing ways to attract investments, including for the development of the tourism component and accommodation facilities.

The legal framework through which such projects could be implemented has not been decided. According to the general director, the available options will be analyzed, including a possible public-private partnership or other cooperation mechanisms.

„Today, Moldexpo obviously does not have the money to build a hotel, but a solution must be found. At this point, I cannot say what legal form this would take. An analysis by experts is needed to determine the most appropriate option. It could be a public-private partnership, a concession or something else. I would not venture to say which would be most suitable, because that must be determined by those with greater expertise in this area,” she said.

Moldexpo management is holding discussions with the Economy Ministry and the government to identify solutions for the center’s development and modernization. At the same time, the institution has initiated contacts with potential partners from Romania, Greece, Slovenia and Kazakhstan, in order to exchange experience and develop joint projects.

„We are not claiming that all these projects have already been completed. We are not claiming that the transformation can happen overnight. But we say with full responsibility that we have a vision, we have a strategy, we have initiated concrete actions and we are prepared to continue this process,” the director emphasized.

Moldexpo has fewer than 50 employees

During the conference, the institution’s management also spoke about the human resources used to operate the center. The team consists of fewer than 50 employees who organize events, maintain the territory, administer the infrastructure and develop projects.

According to Zinaida Popa, the number of people involved in maintaining the territory has decreased considerably compared with previous years. At present, this activity is carried out by three employees, while the sales team manages a larger workload than before the pandemic, despite the reduced staff.

„Moldexpo is not just buildings, pavilions and hectares of land. Moldexpo means, above all, people. The people who kept this institution operational during difficult periods and the people who believe in its future today,” she said.

The director also mentioned the institution’s social role, noting that it made its infrastructure available to the authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic and hosted refugees.

„Moldexpo was more than just a space for exhibitions,” she noted.

The management says that the transformation will be a long-term process requiring investment, institutional support and partnerships. At this stage, the development directions and investment profiles are being defined, while the project still has no final overall budget or established financing mechanism.

„We are not only aiming to modernize Moldexpo. We aim to redefine its role in the economy of Moldova,” the general director concluded.

The Moldexpo International Exhibition Center is a state-owned institution founded 30 years ago and continuing a 70-year exhibition tradition. The center organizes fairs, exhibitions and forums, as well as provides a platform for promoting domestic products, developing trade relations and connecting the business environment of Moldova with international partners.