REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025

19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025

Thematic Panel:

The Role of Infrastructure in Economic Development

Speaker:
Adrian Ciobanu – Mayor, Cordun Commune (Neamț)

Topic of the Intervention:
“Opportunities Created by the Proximity of the A7 Motorway – Cordun Economic Area”

Mayor of Cordun Commune, Adrian Ciobanu, highlighted the profound transformations brought by the A7 Motorway in the Roman–Cordun area, emphasizing the necessity of regaining investor confidence and continuing investments in local and regional infrastructure.

Cordun – A Strategic Position in Neamț County’s Transport Network

Mayor Adrian Ciobanu opened his intervention by highlighting the privileged geographical location of Cordun Commune, situated in the northwest of the municipality of Roman, at a key point of the regional road infrastructure. The territory of the commune is crossed by major arteries, such as the European Road E85, the county road G207B (Roman–Pașcani), and recently, the A7 Motorway, which includes the Roman Nord road junction, located right in the center of the locality.

This configuration grants Cordun a major competitive advantage in attracting investments and creates premises for its transformation into an emerging economic hub, both at the level of Neamț County and in the broader context of Moldova region’s development.

A Japanese Lesson on Trust in Public Infrastructure

To emphasize the importance of efficient mobility and predictable transport infrastructure, Mayor Adrian Ciobanu recounted a significant episode from an official visit by a Japanese delegation to Cordun two years ago. During a walk through the locality, a member of the delegation asked him why residents in the area predominantly use personal cars. In turn, the mayor asked the guest how he travels, and the answer was simple and revealing:

“I live one minute away from the station.”

This seemingly banal reply actually reflected the complete trust Japanese citizens have in the functionality and punctuality of public transport, in a system where the railway infrastructure is so efficient that it eliminates the need for owning a personal vehicle. For Mayor Ciobanu, this example became an aspirational benchmark for local administrations in Romania.

In this context, the mayor raised an essential question for the future economic development of the region:

“Are we, the public authorities, local administrations, the Ministry of Transport, CNAIR, able to regain the trust of investors? Are we still perceived as a real opportunity for private capital?”

Trust – A Key Element in Attracting Sustainable Investments

In his intervention, Mayor Adrian Ciobanu emphasized that trust represents an essential pillar of sustainable economic development, especially in an international context marked by intense competition for capital attraction and accelerated investment mobility.

“Trust is a key word for the development of local economies and, at the same time, for consolidating Romania as a nation. Gaining trust requires consistency, seriousness, and a lot of work. The Romanian state has, from this perspective, a clear obligation: to become again a credible partner for the economic environment.”

This plea for administrative seriousness and institutional accountability was launched as a direct call to central authorities, in the context where foreign investors increasingly lose patience with delays or lack of predictability in major infrastructure projects.

Stagnation on the A7 Construction Site and Local Initiatives for Economic Development

Mayor of Cordun Commune, Adrian Ciobanu, expressed his concern regarding the slow pace of works on the A7 Motorway segment crossing the locality’s territory:

“Recently, I have noticed a slowdown in the progress of works on the A7 motorway, which I viewed with deep concern. The embankments are beginning to be invaded by spontaneous vegetation, a clear sign of an unfortunate stagnation.”

Alongside this situation, the local administration led by the mayor has initiated and is implementing a series of strategic projects aimed at stimulating the sustainable economic development of the commune:

• The construction of a bypass to protect the residential area of Cordun village from heavy traffic, channeling economic circulation along a dedicated route;
• Extending this bypass to ensure a direct and efficient connection to the A7 Motorway, the county road, and the Roman municipality’s road interchange;
• Creating a predictable and collaborative administrative framework focused on supporting investors and attracting capital.

Mayor Adrian Ciobanu emphasized his personal and institutional commitment to honoring all promises made to the business environment:

“Every commitment made to investors who choose Cordun Commune represents a responsibility that I carry with seriousness until the completion of the projects.”

Economic Development – A Strategic Priority for Cordun Commune

Mayor Adrian Ciobanu stressed that economic development represents the foundation of the prosperity and well-being of the community he leads:

“The revenues generated from economic development constitute the main source for the local budget, allowing us to invest in educational infrastructure, water and sewage networks, road modernization, and other indispensable public services for a functional and attractive community.”

Although Cordun Commune has made notable progress in attracting investments in recent years, the mayor emphasized the crucial importance of accelerating works on the A7 Motorway to consolidate and expand these achievements.

“I believe that the A7 Motorway will be a true development engine and a vital impulse for the economic environment of the Moldova region. I eagerly await the rapid completion of this project, which will bring a breath of fresh air to the entire area.”

Conclusions:

Mayor Adrian Ciobanu’s intervention clearly highlights the importance of infrastructure and local economic development as essential pillars for the region’s prosperity. The strategic position of Cordun Commune, crossed by major arteries such as the A7 Motorway, offers real opportunities for attracting investments and increasing economic competitiveness.

At the same time, the inspirational example of the Japanese delegation emphasizes the need to rebuild trust in public transport and national infrastructure, indispensable elements for creating an attractive and stable environment for investors. In this context, trust becomes not merely a concept but a true catalyst for sustainable development, to be earned through sustained effort and transparency.

Although works on the A7 Motorway face some delays, the local administration’s commitment to complete complementary projects, such as the bypass dedicated to the economic area, demonstrates a firm will to support the business environment and to ensure optimal conditions for community growth.

Ultimately, the success of Cordun Commune and the Moldova region will largely depend on the capacity of public and private actors to collaborate efficiently, accelerate infrastructure investments, and place sustainable economic development at the core of their concerns, for the benefit of all citizens.