Nicolae VASILESCU, President of the Romania – China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, at FERM 2025: “Italy has signed contracts with China worth 143 billion. Romania blocks”
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
Speaker:
Nicolae Vasilescu – President, Romania – China Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Topic of the intervention:
“Moldova’s potential to become a green region through direct imports of Chinese technology. Barriers imposed by national policies.”
At the Regional Economic Forum Moldova 2025, held in Vatra Dornei, Panel 3 – “Positioning Moldova in the Romania–China Economic Partnership” hosted a substantial and practical dialogue between two relevant voices from the international economic cooperation sphere.
On one side, Nicolae Vasilescu, President of the Romania–China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, discussed the harsh realities and systemic challenges limiting Chinese investment potential in Romania. On the other side, Marius Danciu, an entrepreneur active in green energy and President of the Neamț SME Employers’ Association, presented the concrete experience of a local investor importing technology from China but facing bureaucracy, lack of logistical infrastructure, and the absence of a coherent regional strategy.
Marius Danciu: “We import in an organized manner, but through external hubs. Moldova needs a regional green energy hub”
Marius Danciu took the floor from the audience, presenting his own experience in importing photovoltaic panels from China and the challenges faced due to the lack of regional commercial infrastructure.
“We have been importing everything related to photovoltaic systems from China for several years. We install up to 15-20 MW annually, but without a regional hub, we get stuck in bureaucracy. We want a greener Moldova, but we need infrastructure and institutional support.”
He argued that although he works with advanced technology adapted to European standards, the lack of a regional distribution and intermediary point with Chinese suppliers reduces economic efficiency and increases costs.
Nicolae Vasilescu: “We are at the mercy of dealers from Germany and Greece. We work directly with China, and that’s what you should do too”
Nicolae Vasilescu’s response came with a realistic and informed tone. He explained that at the level of the Romania–China Chamber of Commerce there is already a specialized green energy department, established in response to growing interest from Romanian entrepreneurs.
“All the companies that have come to the chamber were advised to work directly with the Chinese firm, which is now building a hub in Greece. Through Piraeus, transport is fast, and prices are not marked up.”
He pointed out that importers working through dealers from Germany or Greece pay “second-hand prices,” without direct access to production plants. He also gave details about the diversification of new technologies: lightweight panels, panels shaped like tiles, or flexible panels that can be installed even on old buildings.
“A panel has reached 3 kg. Panels are now made that can be rolled or installed as tiles. If you have projects in the ATR phase, we can put you directly in touch with suppliers from China.”
“Romania risks losing ground because of absurd anti-Huawei legislation”
The discussion then shifted to a broader direction, related to the impact of political decisions on technological investments. Nicolae Vasilescu issued a harsh warning about national legislation blocking Huawei’s participation in public tenders in Romania.
“We are the only country in the world that by law has banned all Huawei devices, including those in toys. Not even the USA has gone this far. Europe has found solutions. We are passing laws that hurt and cost.”
He mentioned that telecom operators signaled the Romanian government about huge costs for replacing equipment (1.8 billion dollars) without state budget support. In his opinion, if the law is not changed, there is a risk that mobile phone prices will increase up to 4 times after the elections.
“Maybe after the campaign we will all pay the bills for this law. It would be better to have a balanced regulation that protects security but does not sabotage the economy.”
Huawei, the undisputed leader in energy: “If you don’t use Huawei, you don’t have the best project”
The discussion returned to the energy sector, where Vasilescu emphasized that Huawei dominates the photovoltaic inverter market worldwide.
“Huawei invests 1.2 billion dollars in research. In big projects, there is no real alternative. If you don’t put Huawei, you don’t have the optimized project. Both in Germany and Italy, Huawei is the choice.”
Marius Danciu confirmed.
“For big projects, we only use Huawei. Absolutely.”
Opposite strategies in Europe: “Italy signed with China for 143 billion. Romania blocks”
Finally, Vasilescu drew a sharp contrast between Romania’s approach and that of other European countries.
“Italy has contracts worth 143 billion with China. Germany is investing massively. We, on the other hand, sabotage ourselves. This is not foreign policy, it is economic isolation.”
Conclusions: between potential and blockage
The dialogue between Nicolae Vasilescu and Marius Danciu revealed two realities coexisting in Romania and in the Moldova region: on one hand, a huge potential in green energy, supported by competitive prices and cutting-edge technology from China; on the other hand, legislative blockages and lack of regional infrastructure, which slow down investments and increase the cost of the green transition.
Without a dedicated logistics hub in Moldova and without a coherent national policy, the dream of a green region remains dependent on detour routes – either through Piraeus or Rotterdam – and indirect negotiations with European dealers.
