Ion Ștefanovici (CAPDR): “The Moldova region must become a unified whole. We cannot build development on administrative insularity”

Appearing on a show broadcast by the Antena 3 Suceava channel, Ion Ștefanovici, President of the Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development (CAPDR), delivered a firm message regarding the need for a unified approach to infrastructure development in the North-East region, emphasizing inter-county coordination, regional specialization, and the capitalization of specific economic chains in each county.

The Need for a Coherent Regional Vision

“We must start from the idea that we are one region. The Moldova region. Which until now has existed only on paper, in regional programs,” stated Ion Ștefanovici, drawing attention to decision-making fragmentation and unfair competition between counties, which weakens the region’s chances to attract European funds and to build sustainable infrastructure.

According to him, each county has so far acted more in isolation: “I do whatever I want in Botoșani. I do the same in Suceava. In Iași they say: ‘everyone come to Iași, that’s where decisions are made.’ Or Vaslui says: ‘you forgot about me.’ Bacău plays isolation and moves towards A13. This is not regional development, but administrative centrifugal fragmentation.”

Infrastructure, the Real Test of Cohesion

Ion Ștefanovici extensively addressed the infrastructure situation in the region – road, air, and rail – arguing that it must be treated integrally. “By rail, air transport infrastructure, or road – all these projects must not remain only phased investments without real impact,” he emphasized, referring to projects such as the transshipment terminal in Durnești, Botoșani, built in the context of the conflict in Ukraine.

The CAPDR President also cited positive examples of Austrian companies that have demonstrated seriousness and long-term involvement, mentioning a firm that, after 100 years, still operates in Austria and participates in infrastructure projects.

Malfunctions in Regional Coordination: The Case of Airports

Another example of the lack of a common vision, according to Ștefanovici, is the absence of an integrated strategy for the three airports in the region: “I have never seen all of them at the same table. Let’s say: we have three airports – what role does each one play?”

This lack of harmonization is also reflected in the difficulty of organizing the Regional Economic Forum Moldova, an annual event that tries to bring together authorities, private companies, NGOs, government and international representatives, including from the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. “Every year, I still find it hard to bring them all to the same place for an honest and practical dialogue,” he added.

European Funds: Where Do They Go and What Impact Do They Have?

President Ion Ștefanovici explained that although Romania is not yet administratively regionalized, the Regional Development Agencies (ADR) have become management authorities and directly manage European funds. “Hundreds of millions or billions over the years come directly to Piatra Neamț, for example. The question is: where are these funds visible and how are they used?”

He called for a strategic use of funds, prioritizing digitalization, basic infrastructure – water, sewage, gas – and projects with long-term impact.

Economic Specialization of Counties, the Key to Value Chains

In a practical economic approach, the CAPDR president argued that each county should focus on its competitive advantages and contribute complementarily to the region’s development:

• Suceava: tourism, HORECA industry, timber and non-timber product exploitation
• Botoșani: agriculture, processing, animal husbandry
• Iași: university and medical center, regional decision-making hub and investment attraction
• Bacău: underground resources, mountain potential
• Neamț and Vaslui: other resources to be valorized in the logic of a specialized regional economy

“This is what I have seen in major countries – provinces specialized, cooperated, and divided roles. We need to do the same. To get out of the 19th-century barter logic and build modern value chains based on current realities.”

Cross-Border Cooperation: The Role of BRCTs

Ion Ștefanovici emphasized that expertise on Ukraine, regarding cross-border cooperation projects, belongs to Suceava through the Suceava BRCT, coordinated by Cezaru Grozavu, while the Republic of Moldova falls under Iași’s responsibility. “Let’s each keep the responsibilities we have. If we don’t even respect each other, where can we go as a region?”

Conclusion: Moldova Has a Chance for Reconstruction, but Only if It Functions as a Whole

Ion Ștefanovici concluded by appealing to regional solidarity, balanced decision-making, and development based on collaboration rather than internal competition: “I am not against Iași. I was born there, I lived there for 40 years. But it is not normal for everything to be there. It’s about the good of the whole region. If we don’t learn to function as a unified whole, we will be left behind.”