EU-Moldova Private Sector Mobilisation Conference : Supporting Business Growth

April 22, 2024

The recent EU-Moldova Private Sector Mobilisation Conference, held in Chisinau on 10 April, aimed at promoting greater awareness of the opportunities offered by EU’s financial instruments in support to investments and to the private sector in Moldova. The conference was an EU initiative financed under the EU4Business Facility, a four-year project implemented by GOPA Worldwide ConsultantsGOPA Com. and Technopolis.

Gathering over 200 attendees from European and Moldovan businesses, associations, and representatives working on investment promotion, the Conference facilitated discussions on investments and commercial opportunities in renewable energy, agri-food, and digital technologies in Moldova.

High-level representatives, including Adrienn Kiraly, European Commission Director for the Neighbourhood East, and Dumitru Alaiba, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, attended alongside other government dignitaries.

Participants discussed opportunities for cooperation and growth, including available EU support.

  • Renewable Energy: Moldova's aim to boost renewable energy production from 6% to 30% by 2030 aligns with EU support of SMEs with renewable energy and sustainability projects, through initiatives such as EU4Environment and EU4Climate, as well as larger investments in renewable energy generation.
  • Agri-food: Agriculture remains the main pillar of the Moldovan economy, accounting for approximately 1/3 of the country’s labour force and, when combined with the food processing industry, represents more than 16% of GDP and approximately 45% of total exports. The EU provides significant support to Moldovan farmers through loans and helps small food producers integrate into global supply chains. 
  • Digital Technologies: Moldovan entrepreneurs are encouraged through EU4Digital and various EU programmes to invest in innovations that streamline and automate processes, including grape cultivation and agricultural drone use.