Dialog at FERM 2025 between Ana NEDELCU (Cahul City Hall, Republic of Moldova) and Gelu CHEN (Importer of Romanian Wines in China): Moldova Shapes Its Strategic Role in the Romania–China Economic Partnership
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
The third panel session of the Moldova Regional Economic Forum (FERM) focused on a strategic topic for the economic future of the region: Moldova’s Positioning in the Romania – China Economic Partnership. The event brought together representatives from local public administration, the business community, and international cooperation structures in a practical, results-oriented setting, facilitating a meaningful dialogue centered on concrete development opportunities.
Speakers:
Gelu Chen – Importer of Romanian wines in China
Ana Nedelcu – Manager of the Project Management Center, Cahul, Republic of Moldova
From the Heart of Southern Moldova to the Asian Market: Opportunities for Small Wine Producers
Ana Nedelcu, Manager of the Project Management Center within the Cahul City Hall and also an aspiring entrepreneur in the wine sector, opened the discussion with a pertinent question.
How can small wineries in the Republic of Moldova, currently in development, access the Chinese market, given that they produce small quantities but maintain high-quality standards?
Currently, over 70 small artisanal wine producers operate in the Cahul region, organized into a regional cluster and supported by a new oenological center. This network thus becomes a potential vector for promotion and export beyond national borders, if strategically supported.
Strategic Cooperation and Capacity Building
Gelu Chen – expert in developing Romanian-Chinese commercial partnerships – highlighted that for small wineries, success in the Chinese market does not depend on production volume but on positioning in the premium wine segment and inter-institutional collaboration.
“For a small-scale winery, it is challenging to sustain a constant export logistically. However, by focusing on superior quality and limited editions, in partnership with similar wineries, relevant export volumes can be achieved with more efficient cost control,” explained Gelu Chen.
This approach supports the directions already outlined in the Southern Region of the Republic of Moldova, where associations of small producers, backed by recently developed infrastructure, can form a solid foundation for initiating consolidated exports to Asian markets.
FERM – From Debate Forum to Operational Platform for Development
Panel 3 highlighted the increasingly evident transformation of the Moldova Regional Economic Forum (FERM) from a simple dialogue platform into a real working instrument for regional development. The focus has shifted from idea exchange to generating concrete solutions, built on efficient collaborations between public administrations, the business environment, and international partners.
The discussion between Ana Nedelcu and Gelu Chen clearly illustrated how local initiatives can be connected with opportunities offered by external markets, demonstrating the forum’s real potential to function as a bridge between regional needs and global perspectives.
