Moldovan president's speech at Economic Forum in Chisinau

Your Majesty,

Your Royal Highness,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

It is an honor to address you today at the third edition of the Economic Forum in Chisinau — an event that has grown year by year, becoming a laboratory of ideas, partnerships, and opportunities.

Allow me, first of all, to express my gratitude to the Royal Family of Romania — a tireless supporter of our European path and an active partner in building new bridges of cooperation between the two banks of the Prut River.

Your presence in the public life of Moldova is not just a gesture of solidarity. It is a concrete contribution to our country's European future, anchored in the values that unite us and in the community of language, culture and destiny we share.

Under the auspices of the Royal Family, the Economic Forum in Chisinau has become, in just three editions, a vibrant platform for expanding bilateral cooperation.

From ideas born here to projects implemented on the ground, the Forum has managed to create networks, generate investments and strengthen Moldova's profile as an attractive business destination.

Romanian companies have opened branches in Moldova after participating in previous editions — in such fields as IT, urban design, civil engineering and even sports. Here, academic and tourism initiatives have also been born.

Romania is not just our strategic partner. It is also our partner at heart. No other country has invested more, believed more or supported us more consistently on our European way. Our path to the European Union undoubtedly passes through Romania — including through the companies, institutions, support and trust provided by our partners across the Prut.

 

Today, Romania is the number one investor in Moldova. The Romanian economic presence is solid and diversified: from green energy to logistics, IT, furniture, sustainable agriculture or education. However, the changes which we have implemented in Chisinau in recent years show that we can do even more.

Moldova is an open, connected and European economy — and in the not-too-distant future, it will also become a member state of the European Union.

Access for companies from Moldova and the region to an expanded market is already a reality: through our free trade agreements with the European Union, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Ukraine and the Western Balkans. And staring from April 1, this year, the free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, also came into force.

These trade openings occur in parallel with concrete actions for modernizing the economy: digitalizing administration, reducing bureaucracy, developing infrastructure, actively supporting small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs), and providing a competitive tax regime — all contributing to a clear, predictable, and attractive business environment.

Today, 86 per cent of public services for companies are available online. Our IT Park is one of the most dynamic in the region and over 2,300 local and international companies are already developing software, AI solutions, and fintech in Moldova. And the friendly taxation — with 0% tax on reinvested profits for SMEs and a single tax of 7 per cent in IT and BPO services — supports this development.

For investors, we have created one of the most advantageous state aid schemes in the region. We provide reimbursements of up to 60 per cent for investments in key industrial sectors: automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, chemicals, construction materials, and agro-food. The 25-per cent reimbursement is available immediately after the investment and the difference is offered in the form of profit tax reductions.

These measures are supported by another advantage: Moldova's workforce — skilled, multilingual and adaptable. We have specialists working in Romanian, English, French, German, Russian, Ukrainian and Turkish — a valuable resource for any company willing to operate regionally.

Moreover, this year, Moldova has got the European Union Growth Plan- an ambitious investment package of 1.9 billion euros dedicated to economic modernization, infrastructure development and preparation for accession. This is a concrete opportunity for European companies, especially those from Romania, which have the advantage of language, proximity and an already consolidated relationship.

Therefore, I extend an open invitation to Romanian companies to contribute to transforming Moldova. To be part of a growing economy that is gradually joining the European market, to which it is increasingly connected.

We are already working together on concrete projects that facilitate economic ties. We are strengthening energy security through three power lines, investing in green energy, road infrastructure, railways, and, of course, new bridges across the Prut River.

We are working to be even closer to each other.

Moldova is open for business and new opportunities. Romania is already here. And the Forum is a framework in which ideas turn into action.

I wish all participants productive discussions, lasting partnerships and projects that deliver real results for citizens on both banks of the Prut River.

 

Thank you!