Ion ȘTEFANOVICI, CAPDR, in the context of strengthening economic relations between Saudi Arabia – Romania – Republic of Moldova: “A region becomes strong when it transforms its external relations into instruments of internal development.”

CAPDR participation in the 2025 edition of the Saudi–Romanian Business Council, organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Bucharest

The President of the Center for Regional Development Analysis and Planning (CAPDR), Ion Ștefanovici, participated on Monday, November 10, 2025, in the 2025 edition of the Saudi–Romanian Business Council, organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Bucharest, on the occasion of the visit of the Saudi delegation to Romania.

The event, held at the InterContinental Athenee Palace, brought together representatives of the diplomatic corps, business environment, and economic institutions from Romania and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The event, organized by His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Abdulghani M. Khayat, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bucharest, brought together high-ranking personalities, including Dr. Mohammed S. Mutabagani, President of the Saudi–Romanian Business Council, Mihai Daraban, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania (CCIR), Cătălin Dan, Director of the Foreign Affairs Department within CCIR, and Dr. Sebastian Mitrache, Ambassador of Romania to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

During the discussions, CAPDR President Ion Ștefanovici extended an official invitation to the Saudi side to visit the Moldova Region and the Republic of Moldova in the first part of 2026.

The visit could include a schedule of bilateral meetings in strategic sectors — agri-food, energy, natural resources, and regional development — organized in Iași and Chișinău, aimed at opening new routes for investment and long-term partnerships between the three countries.

In addition, on the sidelines of the event, direct discussions were held with leading figures from the Saudi business community, including:

• Mr. Khalid AlKhudairi, Senior Partner & CEO – Maven Insights, a strategy and investment expert within the MISK 2030 program;
• Mr. Faisal Abdulhadi Habash, Chairman – Ruyat Al Nama for Construction Ltd. Co, a company active in infrastructure and urban development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“This meeting provided a high-level diplomatic framework and real opportunities for collaboration between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Romania, as well as the Republic of Moldova.

Through CAPDR, we aim to actively contribute to opening both the Moldova Region (RO) and the Republic of Moldova to investments and strategic partnerships, strengthening the connection between Bucharest, Iași, and Chișinău in a joint effort for sustainable development.” – Ion Ștefanovici, President of CAPDR.

Call to the private sector and local authorities in the Moldova Region

The CAPDR President is launching a call to the private sector, universities, and local authorities in the Moldova Region and the Republic of Moldova to actively prepare for this new framework of cooperation.

“Development is built through initiative and cooperation.

The Moldova Region now has the historic opportunity to open its doors to the Arab world — a world that thinks in terms of the future, investment, and trust.

It is time for local administrations, academia, and businesses to prepare, with seriousness and professionalism, to harness these new economic opportunities.” — Ion Ștefanovici