Press releases

10 October 2024, Chisinau— The Industrial Forum Suppliers and Engineering brought together government decision-makers, industry leaders and SME representatives to discuss the future of Moldovan industry in the context of international innovations and export opportunities. The event, organised by the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation in collaboration with the Organisation for the Development of Entrepreneurship, was a key meeting point for business seeking to align with the requirements of the European single market.

The forum’s first panel, on Transforming industry through the green and digital transition, raised the challenges and opportunities of integrating SMEs into the European market. The panel was moderate by Cornel Coșer and included interventions by special guests:

Viorel Garaz, State Secretary, Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation stressed the importance of the digital transition for competitiveness in the European market.

Irina Tolstousov, Deputy Director to the Investment Agency, presented opportunities to attract external investment to local industry.

Mariana Rufa, Executive Director of the European Business Association, highlighted the need for legislative support for the integration of Moldovan industry into European value chains.

The second panel of the Forum was dedicated to international certifications and access to finance to increase the competitiveness of SMEs. The panel moderator, Cornel Coșer, facilitated the dynamic discussion about the importance of alignment with international standards, with interventions by leading experts:

Liliana Buza, expert in international certifications, explained the benefits they bring in terms of credibility and access to external markets.

Aurel Casian, Executive Director of UIPAC – World Bank Competitiveness Improvement Project, discussed how SMEs can access finance to implement the required certifications.

The Vice-Chair of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported on the steps that e-industry entrepreneurs need to take in order to be able to export their production. Natalia Calenic urged entrepreneurs in the Republic of Moldova to take advantage of the support measures provided by the State to reach out to international markets more easily.

In the discussion panel Elena Maevski, the Executive Director of the Association of Companies of the Electronic Industries of Moldova highlighted the substantial contribution of specialised companies to the economic development of the country.

“More than 210 companies in the electronic industry are currently active in Moldova, with more than 14 thousand employees. Exports of domestic electronic products totalled more than lei half billion in terms of value last year“” noted Elena Maevski.

This event takes place with the support of the “Long Business and Commons for Moldova” project, funded by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Government of Switzerland, implemented by GIZ Moldova.