More opportunities for small-, medium-sized enterprises in Moldova; national legislation to be harmonized with EU acquis

Chisinau, October 15, 2026 – The parliament will harmonize the regulatory framework concerning small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the EU acquis, which will enable them to expand their access to support programmes and instruments. The parliamentary commission for economy, budget and finance has approved the report on the draft law developed by the Economic Development and Digitalization Ministry, which aims to harmonize the criteria for classifying SMEs and establish advanced mechanisms to support export competitiveness and access to financing.

The draft law provides for changes to the criteria for classifying SMEs, by increasing the turnover threshold from 25 million euros to 50 million euros and the asset ceiling EUR 21.5 million euros to 43 million euros. The application of the new financial thresholds and the methodology harmonized with European standards would allow an additional 147 enterprises to be included in the SME category. Thus, more businesses will be able to benefit from the available support programmes and instruments.

At the same time, the draft proposes the legal regulation of the category of small mid-cap enterprises (small mid-caps). Presently, the classification framework provides only for the categories of micro-enterprises, small enterprises and medium-sized enterprises. Enterprises that exceed the applicable thresholds are directly classified as large enterprises, with no intermediate category. This situation may limit incentives for business expansion and new investments, affecting enterprises’ growth potential and the consolidation of their competitiveness.

Another provision concerns the establishment of a specific support mechanism for financing export activities. This will include such instruments as the provision of guarantees or insurance for export credits, direct financing or refinancing of such credits and interest-rate support measures.

These measures are meant to diversify sources of financing, reduce exclusive dependence on bank lending and strengthen alternative mechanisms for supporting enterprises.

The draft law aimed at harmonizing the regulatory framework concerning SMEs will be submitted to the parliament for consideration in the first reading.

It should be noted that the small and medium-sized enterprises’ sector represents the main segment of Moldova’s economy. SMEs account for 99.6 per cent of the total number of enterprises and generate more than 72 per cent of turnover nationwide.

 

Directorate of Communication and Public Relations of Moldova’s Parliament