The Republic of Moldova is increasingly consolidating its position on the global IT industry map, demonstrating significant potential in exporting services to international markets, especially to customers in the European Union. In 2024, service exports accounted for 43.2% of total exports, doubling in just four years. At the same time, over 88% of IT services produced in Moldova are export-oriented.
Today, the skills of Moldovan specialists are valued all over the world, thanks to companies that invest in local development and connect indigenous resources to global projects.
One of the success stories is “Stefanini Moldova”, a subsidiary of the international group “Stefanini Group”, a company of Brazilian origin, with over 37 years of experience in the field of information technology and a presence in 41 countries. From the heart of Chisinau, the “Stefanini Moldova” team provides IT support and software development services for sectors such as e-commerce, health, telecommunications and automotive, collaborating with top global brands. Founded in 2016 with only 10 employees, the company now counts approximately 500 Moldovan professionals – a clear proof of the potential and competitiveness of the IT industry in the Republic of Moldova.
“The company was founded in 2016, when the Stefanini group decided to invest in a new location with the aim of providing services to various customers in Europe. The Republic of Moldova proved attractive, primarily due to its geographical position, but also because of its well-trained workforce, with a good level of English language skills, which easily integrates into the teams and structures of our European customers. In addition, competitive costs were an added advantage”, said Ion Girleanu, country manager for Stefanini Moldova.
Global brands, solutions created in the Republic of Moldova
Even though the services provided by Stefanini Moldova’s employees are not intended for the local market, we can take pride in the fact that the work and talent of our specialists are found in projects of renowned international brands. Wherever in the world you may go and purchase a product from “H&M” stores, for example, you are using, perhaps unknowingly, a software developed here, in the Republic of Moldova. The same is true for “Auchan” or “Mazda”, companies that are clients of Stefanini, benefiting from IT solutions created by teams from our country.
“The local customer market is small. Local companies do not have the budgets to invest in product development and, for the most part, limit themselves to purchasing licenses and implementing products developed elsewhere. Thus, it is much more promising for an IT company in Moldova to focus on providing services to external customers or creating products for foreign markets. I believe that the Republic of Moldova has significant advantages compared to other regions of the world, such as India, Mexico or Brazil, where resources are cheaper. The advantages we have here in Moldova are proximity to the end customer and, most importantly, a similar culture. Thus, a person from the Republic of Moldova will integrate much more easily with a customer in France or Germany than someone from India or Brazil”, emphasized Ion Girleanu.
The company offers flexibility to its employees, they can work from home, but also have the opportunity to transfer and collaborate in various countries, without geographical boundaries.
“We had employees of the Stefanini company in Moldova who were transferred to Sweden and Romania and later returned. We support these changes and transitions so that people have the opportunity to develop, gain new experience and then return to the country, bringing with them the knowledge they have acquired, thus contributing to the growth of the company”, said the country manager of Stefanini Moldova.
Also, for a foreign company such as Stefanini, an important pillar is the government’s IT Park initiative. It provides a clear and simplified tax framework for IT companies. Taxes are fixed and transparent, which allows companies to plan their costs and investments more easily. Thanks to this favorable ecosystem, companies such as Stefanini Moldova can continue to grow and contribute to the development of the local IT industry.
This material is part of the campaign “From Moldova. To the Whole World.” — an initiative of the Invest Moldova Agency to promote local producers on international markets. Discover more success stories of Moldovan exporters on invest.gov.md website.
