Cristina SÎRBU (PPC Romania) and Nicolae VASILESCU (Romania–China Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Debate at FERM 2025: “Chinese Perspectives on the Green Industry and Regional Development of Moldova”
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:
Positioning Moldova in the Romania–China Economic Partnership
Speakers:
Cristina Sîrbu – Corporate Key Account Manager at PPC Romania
Nicolae Vasilescu – President of the Romania–China Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Discussion Topic:
“Exploring Chinese Investment Opportunities in Industry and Green Energy in the Moldova Region”
During Panel 3 – Positioning Moldova in the Romania–China Economic Partnership, an applied exchange of perspectives took place between Cristina Sîrbu, Corporate Key Account Manager at PPC Romania, and Nicolae Vasilescu, President of the Romania–China Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Moldova’s Potential – A Magnet for Chinese Industrial Investments
Cristina Sîrbu raised a key question regarding regional development perspectives.
“Is there concrete interest from Chinese investors to engage in industrial projects in the Moldova area, particularly in the parks planned along the highway?”
In response, Nicolae Vasilescu confirmed a growing appetite from Chinese companies for direct investments, specifying that they are exclusively interested in developing production units within industrial parks, rather than speculative or real estate initiatives. According to him, there are currently 12 industrial parks with Chinese participation in various stages of implementation in Romania, one of which is located in Iași County.
However, Nicolae Vasilescu emphasized that a significant obstacle in attracting investors is the insufficient administrative preparation at the local level – many authorities still lack urban planning documentation and the necessary permits to operationalize these strategic projects.
Renewable Energy and Storage – New Directions in the Romania–China Partnership
Beyond infrastructure development, the renewable energy sector is emerging as one of the most dynamic areas of interest for Chinese investors in Romania. Cristina Sîrbu, Corporate Key Account Manager at PPC Romania, highlighted that the company’s portfolio extends beyond traditional electricity and natural gas supply, also including the implementation of integrated photovoltaic solutions aimed at the corporate sector and local public administration, especially in Iași, Suceava, and Botoșani counties.
In this context, Nicolae Vasilescu pointed out a significant shift in Chinese companies’ approach: from merely equipment suppliers (solar panels, inverters), they have moved to the role of direct investors and development partners in energy projects. In the past three months, the Romania–China Chamber of Commerce and Industry has facilitated transactions totaling approximately 300 MW of installed capacity, reflecting strong and consistent Chinese capital interest in the Romanian energy market.
Additionally, energy storage technologies are an emerging priority.
“Photovoltaic panels are the recent past; the future is storage,” stated Cristina Sîrbu, highlighting the sector’s future direction.
Confirming this trend, Vasilescu mentioned the involvement of two leading companies from Guangzhou and Shenzhen – global centers of excellence in battery technology – in pilot projects already underway in Romania, with potential for large-scale expansion.
Legislative Challenges and Bottlenecks in Energy Distribution Infrastructure
A sensitive topic addressed during the dialogue was the malfunctions in Romania’s electricity distribution system, highlighted by Cristina Sîrbu. She emphasized significant interoperability deficiencies between distribution operators and suppliers, especially regarding the transmission and recording of data from prosumers. The lack of a modern IT infrastructure and coherent regulatory framework severely limits the efficient integration of distributed generation into the national grid.
Additionally, Nicolae Vasilescu acknowledged a legislative gap: currently, the legislation does not explicitly prohibit upgrading metering and energy management systems, but also does not provide incentives or clear rules to facilitate this process. Romania is therefore in a regulatory gray area, which complicates the development of technical solutions adapted to current needs.
Vasilescu mentioned that in foreign markets such as Germany or Italy, smart metering and storage kits are already used, provided by specialized companies (such as Zimans – possibly a regional integrator or a reference to Siemens). In Romania, similar solutions are in the pilot phase in partnership with Chinese software development companies, capable of adapting technology according to the specifics of each production or grid injection project.
Future Perspectives: Applied Partnerships and Legislative Modernization
The discussion highlighted the urgent need to strengthen functional partnerships between the public and private sectors, alongside intensified collaboration with international actors from Asia who already possess advanced technologies and expertise in strategic fields, such as renewable energy and grid digitalization.
Nicolae Vasilescu emphasized that Romania must adapt its legislation to current energy market realities by creating a clear, predictable, and flexible regulatory framework that allows rapid and efficient investment implementation while ensuring transparency and legal security for international investors.
This legislative openness, combined with concrete partnerships and well-founded pilot projects, could transform the Moldova Region into a strategic hub for industrial and energy investments, strengthening Romania’s position in the economic partnership with China and other emerging Asian economies.
Conclusion:
The dialogue between Cristina Sîrbu and Nicolae Vasilescu clearly highlighted both significant opportunities and structural challenges shaping the Moldova Region’s path towards becoming a strategic hub for Chinese investments in the industrial and energy sectors. The development of industrial parks, solar energy expansion, implementation of energy storage technologies, and digitalization of distribution infrastructure are high-potential areas where Romania–China partnerships can bring tangible added value.
For this potential to become a sustainable engine for regional development, it is imperative that local public administrations proactively prepare, both in terms of urban planning and capacity to attract and manage investments. Simultaneously, modernization of the national legislative framework must advance in step with technological developments and global investment dynamics, providing a stable, transparent, and predictable environment for all stakeholders involved.
