FERM 2025 | Ungheni District Council President, Dionisie TERNOVSCHI: “Ungheni can become a regional development hub through modern infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and smart investments”
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025
19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025
Thematic Panel:
Regional and International Cooperation – Partnerships for Development
Speaker:
Dionisie Ternovschi – President of Ungheni District Council
Presentation Topic:
“Successful Practices and Partnerships for Local Development”
Dionisie Ternovschi, President of the Ungheni District Council, presented a broad and ambitious vision for the development of the district, referred to as the “Ungheni Region” during his speech. He highlighted strategic projects that will transform the area into an important logistics, industrial, and agricultural hub for the Republic of Moldova and Eastern Europe.
Regional Brand and Euro Business Park Industrial Zone: a Strategic Priority for Ungheni District Development
A defining element for Ungheni District is the strengthening of the regional brand, developed under the “EU for Moldova Key Regions” program, which aims to increase the visibility and economic attractiveness of the area.
“The regional brand is a powerful tool for promoting our identity and attracting investments,” emphasized Dionisie Ternovschi, President of the Ungheni District Council.
In the context of economic development, Dionisie Ternovschi presented plans for a type B industrial park focused on advanced technologies and innovation, named “Euro Business Park Ungheni”. It will be located on land administered by the Ministry of Defense and will host companies active in sectors including technologies for national defense.
“This industrial park will contribute to creating a competitive business ecosystem and support technological development, including in areas with strategic impact on national security.”
The strategic location of the park, near the future road bridge connecting Iași with Chișinău and, consequently, the Odessa region, will provide logistics facilities and access to expanded markets.
“The bridge linking Romania and the Republic of Moldova is not just a construction, but a gateway to regional economic opportunities, and Euro Business Park will fully benefit from this privileged position.”
Ungheni – Future Multimodal Logistics Hub and Strategic Point on the Eastern European Transport Map
Ungheni District is increasingly positioning itself as a future multimodal logistics hub due to its privileged location at the intersection of the main railway lines of the Republic of Moldova, connecting the north, south, east, and west of the country. According to the District Council President, Dionisie Ternovschi, this infrastructure offers exceptional potential for developing a regional transport and distribution center.
“Few know that the port at Giurgiulești is historically part of the Ungheni river port. It is both a historical reality and a logistical opportunity that we want to capitalize on.”
In this regard, local authorities aim to reactivate and modernize the Ungheni river port through dredging works to enable navigability and relaunch commercial activities on the Danube and Prut rivers.
These initiatives are supported through active international partnerships with actors from Bulgaria, Italy, and Romania.
“We intend to organize a regional logistics panel this fall, bringing together strategic partners and positioning Ungheni on the map of Eastern European trade corridors.”
The new logistics hub, located near the future Euro Business Park industrial zone and the Iași–Chișinău highway, will transform Ungheni into a vital interconnection point for freight transport and regional economic infrastructure.
Access to Water – Strategic Priority for Agricultural Security and Rural Development
One of the most pressing challenges in Ungheni District is ensuring sustainable access to drinking water and efficient irrigation systems – essential factors for supporting agriculture, the region’s main economic pillar. In a context marked by severe climate change and a prolonged soil drought officially declared for over a decade in the Republic of Moldova, this issue has become critical.
“Without modern irrigation systems, our agriculture has no future. We’ve been saying this for years, but now the effects of climate change are painfully felt in every village.”
He emphasized that the lack of sufficient groundwater resources exacerbates the vulnerability of rural communities.
To address these challenges, the Ungheni District Council actively collaborates with the Regional Development Agency (ADR) and implements major water infrastructure projects with European funding. An example is the IFAT project, which foresees investments of over 10 million euros in distribution and irrigation networks, complemented by local authority contributions.
“We have started connecting localities to main water pipelines, and with the support of the European Village Program, communities are developing internal networks. The result? Water is beginning to reach people’s taps effectively.”
Moreover, the projects also aim to support local economic agents, as he stated – “without economic activity in villages, we cannot sustain rural life.”
Cross-Border Cooperation with Romania – A Driver for Local Development through Efficient Partnerships
Cooperation with Romanian authorities represents a strategic pillar for regional development in Ungheni District. Twinning relationships and institutional collaboration with administrative units in Romania have generated concrete projects with visible impacts in local communities.
An emblematic example is the partnership with the city of Cluj-Napoca, materialized through the creation of the “Little Cluj Park” in Ungheni – an investment of over 600,000 euros realized over six years.
“It is one of the best examples of Romanian-Moldovan cooperation, which has produced a clear result and serves as a model for the entire country.”
At the same time, strengthened relationships with the counties of Maramureș, Iași, and Arad have allowed the implementation of essential infrastructure projects. These include: construction of a district sports field with the support of Maramureș County Council; installation of photovoltaic panels at one of the district’s main healthcare centers in partnership with Arad; as well as expansion of medical infrastructure (changing rooms, elevators) with support from Iași County.
“These may seem like small projects at first, but when starting from scratch, they become real sources of oxygen for the community. They help you take concrete steps and build institutional trust and motivation.”
European Funding and Perspectives for Regional Development
Ungheni District has been one of the reference beneficiaries of the “EU for Moldova K-Region” program, which mobilized 26 million euros in the region over five years and “transformed the face of Ungheni municipality,” as emphasized by Dionisie Ternovschi. Visible investments targeted educational infrastructure, modernization of the Central Market, and other public spaces, enhancing urban coherence and the quality of services for citizens.
Although the program is ending at this time, the local administration seeks continuity and new sources of funding. Dionisie Ternovschi expressed concern that, although major national instruments exist such as the “Growth Plan” – “1,900,000,000 will be given to the Government” – authentic regional development must start from local needs and be anchored in community requirements. He emphasized that past successes should have been leveraged to extend the model, and “when something works well, you should use it to make it work even better.”
In this context, the immediate challenge remains ensuring access to institutional resources and trustworthy partners, as well as adapting financing mechanisms to allow local projects to materialize quickly and sustainably.
Conclusions: Strategic Directions for Sustainable Development of Ungheni District
The intervention of Ungheni District Council President Dionisie Ternovschi, within the Panel dedicated to regional and international cooperation at FERM 2025, highlighted a pragmatic vision for territorial development, based on phased investments, functional partnerships, and adaptation to local challenges.
Strengthening multimodal logistics infrastructure, leveraging agricultural potential through expanded irrigation systems and water access, and implementing efficient mechanisms for attracting European funding are strategic directions assumed by the district administration. In parallel, consolidating international partnerships – especially cross-border cooperation with Romania – and creating a favorable framework for private investments, including through projects such as Euro Business Park Ungheni, outlines a coherent and sustainable development approach.
Through major projects and targeted initiatives with direct impact on citizens’ lives, Ungheni District demonstrates that efficient regional development is built step by step, through coordinated actions, long-term vision, and openness to cooperation.
