President of CAPDR, Ion ȘTEFANOVICI: “However, we will not be able to overcome and even emerge stronger from the current difficulties unless we fully leverage the advantages and resources at our disposal.”

On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, the first edition of the Regional Economic Forum “Moldova – Investment Priorities in 2023” took place in Iași, a major event for private companies, public institutions, and non-governmental organizations interested in understanding current opportunities for accessing European and government funding.

The event, organized by the Center for Analysis and Regional Development Planning (CAPDR) in partnership with Moldova Invest – the economic magazine of Moldova and with the support of the North East Regional Development Agency, was held in the Aula of the “Nicolae Leon” Building within the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” Iași. It included panel discussions focused on:

• Investments in the healthcare sector
• Presentation of opportunities for accessing European and government funding in the public sector in 2023
• Presentation of opportunities for accessing European and government funding in the private sector in 2023
• Enhancing the economic-administrative relationship between Romania and the Republic of Moldova.

At the opening of the event, Ion ȘTEFANOVICI, President of the Center for Analysis and Regional Development Planning (CAPDR) and Editorial Director of Moldova Invest, presented both the panels of the Forum and its overall purpose to the participants.

President of Iași County Council, Costel ALEXE: “However, we cannot speak of a strong and developed Moldova without a strong Iași, without Suceava, Neamț, Bacău, Vaslui, and Botoșani equally strong.”

President of Iași County Council, Costel ALEXE, emphasized that the Regional Economic Forum “Moldova – Investment Priorities in 2023” represented an excellent opportunity to present the priority objectives that will contribute to the development of the entire Moldova region.

 

 

Terente CIUI, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy: “In relation to the Republic of Moldova, the Ministry of Economy is particularly interested in economic cooperation in the energy sector as well as investment aspects.”

 

 

“The Moldova region is on the government’s list of priorities. Investments underway or in the process of implementation demonstrate this fact. Over the past year, many long-awaited investments have taken significant steps forward. Just mentioning that work is progressing on nearly all sections of the A7 highway from Ploiești to Pașcani, and that the A8 highway (Ungheni – Iași – Târgu Mureș) has overcome long-standing obstacles, shows that Moldova is finally receiving attention from central authorities.

The Ministry of Transport, under Minister Sorin Grindeanu, has allocated necessary funds for the modernization of Iași International Airport, as well as funds for many other airports across the country.

Additionally, Minister Alexandru Rafila has unlocked the Regional Hospital project, and we hope that a series of construction works will commence this year. Today, at the Regional Economic Forum ‘Moldova – Investment Priorities in 2023,’ we discussed investments under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, as well as governmental measures aimed at supporting the business environment,” stated the prefect.

Alexandru MURARU (PNL): “In Iași, major investments of 1 billion euros are on the horizon, which will also benefit the Republic of Moldova.”

PNL Deputy Alexandru MURARU saw the Economic Forum organized by Moldova Invest as an opportunity to highlight the progress made by Iași County regionally, emphasizing its strategic importance in relation to the Republic of Moldova.

• In Iași, major investments of 1 billion euros are underway: the Emergency Regional Hospital, the Regional Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, the Multipurpose Hall, and the two highways A7 and A8 – investments that will also benefit the Republic of Moldova given their coverage area. Emergency cases will be better treated in Iași, and establishing modern sports infrastructure will provide a suitable platform for hosting international competitions.

• The Romanian government is preparing a scheme to guarantee Romanian private investments across the Prut River, which will open numerous opportunities. The two governments of Romania and the Republic of Moldova are working on a legislative project that includes Romanian government support through loans and state guarantees for Romanian companies investing in Moldova in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, manufacturing industry, agriculture, and food industry.

• Iași County is the most involved in relations with the Republic of Moldova. Let’s not forget that, with the support of Iași County Council, we managed to bring back to Iași the presidency of the Siret-Prut-Nistru Euroregion, the most relevant driver of cross-border development between Romania and the Republic of Moldova. We have numerous joint projects, we are bound by historical friendship, and Iași is home to a large Bessarabian community,” emphasized PNL Deputy Alexandru MURARU.

 

 

Ion COJOCARI, from the Glodeni district: “We are discussing the challenges faced by the Glodeni district and potential solutions to them, investment perspectives, and the economic climate in the district.”

The list of participants at the event was completed by the presidents of the districts from the Republic of Moldova:

• Iurie LEVINSCHI, President of Hîncești District
• Vasile SECRIERU, President of Rîșcani District
• Ion COJOCARI, President of Glodeni District

 

At the event, there were over 150 participants, 30 speakers, and 20 partners, including personalities such as Costel ALEXE (President of Iași County Council), Vasile ASANDEI (General Director of ADR North-East), Gabriela MACOVEIU (Director of Communication Department, ADR North-East), Doina IACOBAN (Deputy Secretary of State, MIPE, Bucharest).

The event provided an excellent opportunity for participants to obtain financial resources, technical support, and access to extensive networks of partners and business contacts, which will help them improve their capacities and implement their own projects.

Romanians from the Republic of Moldova, the Romanian Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade, county public administrations from the North-East Region of Romania, members of the Siret – Prut – Nistru Euroregion, management of County Hospitals from the North-East Region of Romania, authorities responsible for road infrastructure and land/air transport, representatives from the medical field in the Republic of Moldova, ADRs from the Republic of Moldova, and the business environment in the Republic of Moldova through professional associations, all participated in the event.

According to Ion Ștefanovici, President of C.A.P.D.R., in the “Conclusions” section outlined in the Forum’s Program, there was a desire to decide on the feasibility of implementing Public-Private Partnerships (P.P.P.), aimed at providing a framework to accelerate the development process of the entire MOLDOVA region on both sides of the Prut River.