Romania is the main commercial partner and supporter of the Republic of Moldova’s European integration into the European Union, said experts invited to IPN’s public debate “Moldovan-Romanian economic cooperation, strategic partnership on the way to European integration”.
The head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova Sergiu Harea said that in the 1990s, Romania was the first window opened to the Moldovan entrepreneurs for exporting to another market than the former Soviet one. Things changed constantly and Romania is now the main export market for Moldova, according to last year’s figures.
“Out of our total exports to foreign markets, nearly 60% go to the European Union. Out of these 60%, 50% go to Romania. Romania last year accounted for approximately 30% of the total exports to other markets. Moreover, the Romanian investments in the Republic of Moldova catalyzed the production process, the economic integration of the Republic of Moldova into the European Union. These figures point not only to a strategic economic partnership, but also to a strategic partnership between companies that day by day learn from each other to penetrate this market of the EU through the agency of Romania. Many companies that export first to Romania later find other markets, like those of France, Germany and not only. To better know the EU market, the requirements and rules of conduct on this market, Romania can help with advice. It is a good partner that helps us to also create joint companies so as to enter third markets,” stated Sergiu Harea.
Ion Iordachi, director of the Investment Agency “Moldova Invest”, said the public authorities and the business community in Romania show great openness. They are always ready to help the Republic of Moldova, including when it goes to events, such as business forums, or when a large investor that is present in Romania wants to be motivated to invest also in the Republic of Moldova.
“The investors from Romania from year to year oscillate between the second and fourth places as a source of investment. In total, over 6 billion lei has been invested so far in the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, the Republic of Moldova is one of the top ten investors in Romania. We consider we have a golden balance. This is the only country with which we have a golden balance, which is imports are equal to exports. In terms of investments, we are exactly on the same step. We have over 1,600 companies with joint capital or with only Romanian capital in the Republic of Moldova. The highest number of joint or separate forums are staged with Romania. The highest number of invitations and study visits are to Romania for the business entities of the Republic of Moldova to see the new tendencies,” stated Ion Iordachi.
Dumitru Pîntea, director of the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA) of Moldova, noted that Romania’s experience and support are essential for the Republic of Moldova on its road to the EU.
“The Romanian experience is very beneficial to us at different levels, including the level of policies and instruments for developing the national economy. Evidently, the crises that affected the Republic of Moldova and also the European states over the last few years showed to us that we need to learn lessons and good practices. In this regard, Romania lent a hand to our organization as a similar institution of Romania practically offered to us the whole support in terms of knowledge, support instruments for integrating into the European Union at different levels. This is the National Credit Guarantee Fund for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises of Romania – an institution that manages a number of support schemes, access to financing. Respectively, the ODA also manages a loan guarantee fund. Last year, we initiated a very fruitful cooperation and went to them on a visit. We familiarized ourselves with all the instruments they apply. They also paid a visit to us and we analyzed what we do, exchanged opinions and practices and laid the basis of further cooperation,” said Dumitru Pîntea.
He also said that owing to Romania’s support, the ODA was accepted as a member organization of the European Association of Guarantee Institutions. “This way, the institution integrated into European forum as regards the support instruments for entrepreneurs. This access enables us to cooperate with the most successful development banks of European states,” stated Dumitru Pîntea.
The public debate entitled “Moldovan-Romanian economic cooperation, strategic partnership on the way to European integration” was staged within the framework of the project “Double integration through cooperation and information”, which is implemented by IPN News Agency with support from the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova of the Government of Romania.
