Ion ȘTEFANOVICI: “Moldova Regional Economic Forum 2025 – Partnership with the Business Environment for the Development of Suceava’s Economy”
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
Ion Stefanovici, President of CAPDR
The Business Environment in Suceava: A Key Factor for the County’s Economic Future
The economy of Suceava needs close collaboration between local administration, the Suceava Chamber of Commerce and Industry, SMEs, and private investors to create a favorable environment for sustainable development.
In a difficult national and international economic context, the business environment must play an active role in shaping local economic policies and attracting funding and investments.
In this regard, we invite business representatives to actively participate in the 19th edition of the Regional Economic Forum Moldova 2025, which will take place in July in Vatra Dornei. This event represents a key opportunity for discussing economic development projects and identifying viable solutions for Suceava County and the entire region.
Current Economic Situation and Business Environment Challenges. The Migration of the Workforce from Suceava to Cluj, Iași, Bucharest, or Europe Cannot Be Reduced Through Empty Words and Political Declarations
| County | GDP per Capita (euro) |
| Iași | 14,403 |
| Bacău | 10,984 |
| Neamț | 9,568 |
| Suceava | 8,833 |
| Botoșani | 7,594 |
| Vaslui | 7,498 |
These figures reflect significant economic disparities in the Moldova region, highlighting the urgent need for investments and development policies aimed at reducing these gaps.
The GDP per capita in Suceava County is 8,833 euros, which is below the national average and significantly lower than in counties such as Cluj, Timiș, or Brașov. This discrepancy underscores the need for proactive economic policies to accelerate economic growth.
Access to European funds is a major opportunity that should be more effectively leveraged by local entrepreneurs, with support from authorities and experts in non-repayable financing.
Skilled workforce represents a key challenge. Suceava needs vocational training programs tailored to market demands and incentives for young people to stay in the county. The migration of the workforce from Suceava to Cluj, Iași, Bucharest, or Europe cannot be reduced through empty words and political declarations.
Strategic Directions for the Business Environment in Suceava
- Revitalization of the Mountain Economy: promoting and developing agritourism, supporting local small producers, and encouraging the processing of natural resources from the mountain area. Implementing collection and processing centers for mountain products (milk, meat, wild fruits, medicinal plants), as well as facilitating their access to national and international markets. Developing programs to boost ecotourism and active tourism (hiking, winter sports, mountain biking), as well as implementing sustainable strategies for forest exploitation and water resource management.
- Development of Economic Infrastructure: the completion of the A7 Highway will bring huge opportunities for businesses and investments, connecting the county to powerful economic networks.
- Supporting the HoReCa Sector and Tourism: Bukovina needs to be promoted more efficiently as a tourist destination, with an active partnership between entrepreneurs and local administration.
- Creating a favorable climate for foreign investments and the development of local SMEs through favorable tax measures and support schemes for businesses.
- Attracting investments in the food industry and processing local products to increase the added value of Suceava’s agriculture.
- Involvement of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the formation and support of new businesses, including by facilitating access to expertise and financing.
- Expanding Economic Cooperation with Ukraine and Moldova: developing trade and industrial relations with these neighboring countries is essential for stimulating local markets and accessing new business opportunities.
- Creating Economic Bridges with Arab Countries and Asia: diversifying international trade partnerships can open new markets for local products and attract strategic investments to Suceava County.
- Developing Training Bases in the Mountain Area: attracting athletes and outdoor enthusiasts through modern infrastructure and sports training facilities.
- Building Themed Aqua Parks: stimulating leisure tourism and the local economy through the development of modern water parks, integrated into the regional landscape.
- Wood Processing: attracting investment for building a furniture factory to reduce the export of raw wood and develop an added-value chain in the local forestry industry.
- Integrating a specific direction for the development of Suceava’s cultural-historical identity on the Ștefaniană dimension, alongside the film project “Soarele Moldovei”, could add value and coherence to the county’s overall development strategy. This direction could be structured in multiple dimensions.
A Call for Unity and Concrete Action
We need a joint effort between administration, entrepreneurs, and investors to position Suceava on Romania’s economic map.
The Suceava business environment must become an active partner in developing the county’s economic strategy, participate in debates, and initiate viable development projects.
Supporting economic education and professional training is vital for the county’s long-term competitiveness.
The 19th edition of the Regional Economic Forum Moldova 2025 in Vatra Dornei is the perfect framework to discuss Suceava’s economic future. We invite all economic actors to join this joint effort for development.
The Largest County Economies in Romania
| County | GDP per capita (euro) |
| Bucharest | 46,968 |
| Cluj | 24,856 |
| Timiș | 22,723 |
| Brașov | 19,665 |
| Constanța | 18,832 |
| Prahova | 17,315 |
These counties represent the strong economic centers of Romania, with a significantly higher GDP per capita compared to the national average. The differences reflect easier access to infrastructure, foreign investments, and more advanced economic development.
Appeal to Political Parties and Lack of Response
For correct and complete information, we must consider that the entire Moldova Region has parliamentary representation of 78 parliamentarians. Why so many? Because we, the Moldova Region, are the largest region of Romania in terms of population. We lead the national ranking with 3,959,219 inhabitants, while the other regions each have approximately 2.5 million inhabitants.
However, from the perspective of political representation, although we have the largest political contingent, we are the least represented. The political establishment of Moldovan parliamentarians lacks the most basic will to assert themselves in Bucharest. They are weak, disorganized, divided, and completely uninterested in representing their counties in the regional spectrum.
Political Representation of the Moldova Region
| County | PSD | AUR | PNL | SOS | USR | POT | Poloni | UDMR | Total |
| Iași | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Suceava | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 15 |
| Bacău | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Neamț | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Botoșani | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Vaslui | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Total Region | 22 | 19 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 78 |
I made an individual appeal to each branch of the parliamentary political parties in Suceava County to concretely address the county’s economic projects and directions. The response? For now, a wall of silence.
After the conclusion of the electoral campaign, political parties seem unwilling to engage in any kind of dialogue with the business environment or with the structures attempting to create solutions for development. This is why we are on our own.
For correct and complete information, we must consider that the entire Moldova Region has parliamentary representation of 78 parliamentarians.
Why so many? Because we, the Moldova Region, are the largest region of Romania in terms of population. We lead the national ranking with 3,959,219 inhabitants, while the other regions each have approximately 2.5 million inhabitants.
However, from the perspective of political representation, although we have the largest political contingent, we are the least represented. The political establishment of Moldovan parliamentarians lacks the most basic will to assert themselves in Bucharest. They are weak, disorganized, divided, and completely uninterested in representing their counties in the regional spectrum.
Notice the party structure
Between PSD, which is the largest parliamentary group in our region with 22 parliamentarians, and the next group, which is AUR, with 19 parliamentarians, there is a difference of only 3 parliamentarians. This means that the Moldovans have granted a very high level of importance and trust to AUR.
PSD+AUR = 41 Moldovan parliamentarians
At the same time, if we add the parliamentarians of PSD and AUR, the total results in 41 parliamentarians, meaning more than half the sum of the other parties combined. A considerable power! What are the 41 Moldovan parliamentarians in the PSD and AUR groups doing?
AUR+SOS+POT = 34 Moldovan parliamentarians
But what are the sovereigntists doing? AUR+SOS+POT together total 35 parliamentarians in the Moldova Region! Where are their projects related to supporting the producers in the Moldova Region? Supporting cultural-historical projects, supporting tourism projects? Supporting the pieces of industry that still remain in the Moldova Region?
Do they want to inform us?
PNL+PSD+USR+Poloni+UDMR = 45 Moldovan parliamentarians
PNL+PSD+USR together total 43 parliamentarians in the Moldova Region! Do they want to adopt the theme of European funds in the Moldova Region and truly represent us in relation to the Ministry of Development, the Ministry of Investments, and European Projects?
I made an individual appeal to each branch of the parliamentary political parties in Suceava County to concretely report on the projects and economic directions of the county. The response? A wall of silence and indifference.
After the electoral campaign, the political parties are no longer willing to engage in any kind of dialogue with the business environment or with structures that are trying to create solutions for development. That is why we are on our own.
In Suceava, we have a lineup of 15 parliamentarians, a true political force, but one that must demonstrate through actions:
- 4 parliamentarians from AUR
- 3 from PSD
- 2 from PNL
- 3 from SOS
- 1 from POT
- 1 from USR
- 1 from the Polish Party
This parliamentary block could have a significant impact on the development of the county, but without commitment and concrete involvement, Suceava risks losing major development opportunities.
