Press releases

Meeting with the Generic “Women’s Entrepreneurship – Potential for Regional Development” brought together more than 300 successful women from all fields of activity.

Iulia Costin, President of the National Platform of Women of Moldova (PNFM) welcomed the presence of women from all over the country, noting that the event was dedicated to feminine entrepreneurship as a potential for regional development. “Moldovan women lead 27 % of businesses in the country, and the majority – 85 % – are in urban settings, of which 60 % in the capital. The gap between the work of women in villages and towns remains wide, which is why it is important to support rural women in particular. The actions promoted in this Forum are intended to support women’s economic initiatives in business. We wanted a complex event, a day to inspire women to take action throughout 2018, "reiterated Iulia Costin.

Lilia Palii, Secretary General of the Government of the Republic of Moldova praised the work of the PNFM, noting that it helps educate a generation of safe female entrepreneurs on its forces and capacities, and the Government of the Republic of Moldova supports the active involvement of women in society through a number of government programmes. “A safe woman is the pillar of a healthy family, society and a country, and the PNFM is an ideal platform to promote private public dialogue,” Lilia Palii added.

H.E. Valeria Biagiotti, Italian Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, expressed her support for this initiative, pointing out that in Italy, women have managed to become increasingly involved in economic activity thanks to the association and fortification of forces through various associations. “At the same time we encourage the development of female entrepreneurship, as there is a rather large Moldovan community in Italy and for them this is a way back home,” said H.E. Valeria Biagiotti.

H.E. Christine Freilinger, Austrian Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova reiterated the importance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in the development of the European economy, noting that they create the most jobs.

Asya Varbanova, acting country representative UN Women Moldova, said that Moldovan women are courageous, have leadership and leadership but concrete actions need to be taken to achieve gender equality. He also urged: “Today is a special day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. In this context, I invite you to stand in solidarity and fight violence against women”.

Raluca Costache, project team leader, representative of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, presented the project “Visibility and communication for actions related to AA/DCFTA implementation in EU-funded assistance programmes”, noting that exact actions will be carried out in 2018 to help women entrepreneurs identify the opportunities offered by the Association Agreement step by step.

Nina Rotaru, founder of the company “Vioniservice” SRL participated in the first panel of the Forum with an inspirational speech, sharing from the expert of 20 years of activity on the Moldovan market. “I urge women who have a business idea to develop it, not to be afraid. It’s good to have a shoulder of man with us, but if we can raise and educate children, we can certainly also grow a business!”

“The reason why women start a business is not the provision of a minimum living income, but the desire to engage in entrepreneurial activity, to show new qualities and then the intention to increase personal and family income. This means that entrepreneurial activity is becoming more attractive to women and that some indigenous women are quite active, entrepreneurial, have a sense of initiative to start their own business with the aim of self-realisation and raising living standards ", the results of the study show. “Analysis of the current situation of women entrepreneurs in the Republic of Moldova, including in the regions of Transnistria and UTA Gagauzia and identification of their development potential”presented by Elena Culai, Doctor of Economics, senior lecturer and INCE researcher.

At the same time, the study shows that businesswomen face various problems such as: insufficient financial and human resources, unstable business environment, tax burden, etc. and can be addressed through association, cooperation and support from advocacy organisations.

Eugenia Sîli, manager of the Women in Business (PFA) pilot programme, then informed women about the funding and business development opportunities offered by this programme: “We aim to stimulate business start-up and development, especially in rural areas. The Grant Competition has now started, in this context, we urge all women with an entrepreneurial spirit to apply for grant funding and make their dream a reality ", stressed Eugenia Sîli.

Another opportunity to support women entrepreneurs is offered through the Business Academy for Woman project, presented by Ana Sochircă, project manager. “With this project we want to help women entrepreneurs increase the company’s analytical and diagnostic management capacity, develop their skills in marketing, business management and export-import operations in the context of the DCFTA,” said Ana Sochircă.

In the second part of the Forum, participants attended a master class on the balance between a woman’s successful career and family life, presented by Sorana Baciu, representative of the International Network of Professional Women (Romania).

The National Competition winners were also awarded at the Forum. ‘Feminin Entrepreneurship Gala 2017’. During the Forum, an Exhibition of indigenous products created by female entrepreneurs from all regions of the Republic of Moldova was organised, dedicated to Winter Festivals.

The organisation of this forum joins the efforts of International Organisations to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, included in the 2030 Agenda, which provides for a gender-equal planet, a world where women and men will enjoy equal rights and opportunities, and is organised by the National Platform of Women of Moldova in partnership with the Organisation for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (ODSME).

Directorate for Communication and ODIMM RP