FERM 2024 Message from the Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova Mihai BÎLBA

Panel „INVESTMENTS”

Module IV – “Collaboration Romania – Republic of Moldova through the Moldova Region,” the XVIIIth Edition of the Moldova Regional Economic Forum, Vatra Dornei, 2024

SPEAKER – Mihai BÎLBA, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova

TOPIC: „The role of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova in developing bilateral trade relations”

During the “Investment Panel,” Mihai Bîlba, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova (CCI of RM), highlighted the institution’s role in developing Moldovan-Romanian bilateral trade relations. According to the Vice President of CCI of RM, Romania is the Republic of Moldova’s top trading partner and the largest foreign investor.

Exhibition „Republic of Moldova Presents”

“The Republic of Moldova has a strong cooperation with Romania. The most recent example is the 4th edition of the “Republic of Moldova Presents” exhibition, held in Piața Sfatului in Brașov, where over 40 Moldovan companies showcased their products and services to more than 15,000 visitors”, declared Mihai Bîlba. Over the three days of the exhibition, more than 20 contacts and memorandums of understanding were initiated between businesses from the two countries.

Manager Capacity Building Program

Mihai Bîlba also highlighted the importance of collaboration in the field of managerial capacity development: „Entrepreneurs from Moldova and Romania have participated in joint events, such as economic missions, forums, and experience exchanges. Since this year, CCI of RM and colleagues from Brașov have launched the Manager Capacity Building Program for the Republic of Moldova, establishing business contacts with Romanian entrepreneurs”.

Activities of the CCI of RM

The Vice President of CCI of RM also spoke about the diverse activities of the institution, emphasizing its role in promoting exports, attracting investments, and facilitating international trade. „The Chamber organizes fairs, exhibitions, economic missions, and other promotional events. It offers consultancy services in various fields, including taxation, international trade, and marketing”, explained Vice President Mihai Bîlba.

Major Events and Cooperation

Notable events organized by CCI of RM include the National Exhibition “Made in Moldova”, the “Golden Barrel” Competition, the “Moldovan Business Gala,” and the “Exporters’ Academy.” Mihai Bîlba also extended an invitation to Romanian businesses to participate with a joint stand at the “Made in Moldova” exhibition.

Current Trade Relations in Figures

Currently, the Republic of Moldova and Romania have signed 185 agreements in various fields. Throughout 2023, Romania ranked first among the Republic of Moldova’s global trading partners, accounting for 21.4% of the total trade value. The value of Moldova’s foreign trade with Romania was 2.7 billion USD, showing a 5.8% decrease compared to 2022, primarily due to a reduction in imports of Romanian goods.

At the end of his speech, Vice President Mihai Bîlba thanked the event organizers – the Center for Regional Analysis and Planning (CAPDR) – for the opportunity to promote Moldova’s economic initiatives. „The event brought together experts, leaders, and decision-makers to discuss the planning and cooperation needed to achieve the strategic objectives set for Moldova 2030”, concluded Mihai Bîlba.

The Vice President’s speech highlighted once again the importance of close collaboration between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, emphasizing the need to continue and expand economic and commercial cooperation initiatives to achieve the strategic goals of both countries.