100 Opportunities / A7: “Integration of the A7 Highway into the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T): European Opportunities for Moldova” 2 – Centrul de Analiză și Planificare a Dezvoltării Regionale’>

CAMPAIGN: “100 Economic Opportunities for the Development of the Moldova Region along the A7 Highway”

Author: Ion Ștefanovici, President of CAPDR

The integration of the A7 Highway into the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) will open new horizons for Moldova, facilitating access to European funds and enhancing the strategic importance of the region on the map of international transport. CAPDR believes that this integration will bring significant benefits, both economically and logistically.

1. Access to European funds for infrastructure development

Through integration into TEN-T, Moldova will gain access to European funding for the modernization and expansion of transport infrastructure. These funds will support the development of road, railway, and energy infrastructure along the A7 Highway, contributing to the economic growth of the region and improving international connectivity.

2. Facilitating trade and international transport

The A7 Highway will become an international transport corridor, facilitating the rapid movement of goods between Central and Eastern Europe. This enhanced connectivity will attract logistics and international transport companies, using Moldova as a nodal point in global supply chains. This will stimulate the local economy and create new jobs.

3. Opportunities for expanding private investments

In addition to access to European funds, the integration of the A7 Highway into TEN-T will attract private investments in transport and logistics infrastructure. Companies will be interested in developing logistics facilities, intermodal terminals, and other essential infrastructure for international trade. This will lead to a significant increase in investment flows into Moldova.

4. Increasing attractiveness for foreign investors

The A7 Highway, as part of the TEN-T network, will make Moldova more attractive to foreign investors. Enhanced connectivity and quick access to international markets will turn Moldova into a preferred destination for companies looking to expand their operations in Eastern Europe.

Conclusion

The integration of the A7 Highway into TEN-T will bring major benefits to Moldova, facilitating access to European funds, private investments, and economic growth. CAPDR supports this opportunity for European integration, which will transform Moldova into a transport and logistics hub.

About the campaign “100 Economic Opportunities for the Development of the Moldova Region along the A7 Highway”

The A7 Highway, one of the largest infrastructure projects in Romania, will represent a vital artery for the economic development of the Moldova Region, directly connecting it to other regions of the country and international markets. As construction progresses, this highway will not only improve mobility but will create a new framework for significant economic opportunities.

In this context, our campaign aims to highlight and explore 100 economic opportunities that will transform the Moldova Region into a hub for economic growth, benefiting local communities, the business environment, and international investors.

Campaign Objectives:

1. Raising awareness of the economic potential offered by the A7 Highway, by highlighting advantages for sectors such as transport, logistics, energy, agriculture, tourism, and technology.
2. Identifying and promoting investment opportunities for SMEs, large companies, and foreign investors, presenting concrete examples of economic development in areas adjacent to the highway.
3. Creating a collaboration framework between local authorities, academia, entrepreneurs, and international organizations to maximize the economic benefits of this project.
4. Providing solutions and strategic directions for the development of the Moldova Region through these 100 economic opportunities that will generate jobs, economic growth, and regional stability.

How the 100 opportunities will be structured:

Over the next 4 months, we will present a different economic opportunity each day, offering a clear and applicable vision on how various industries and economic sectors can benefit from this new infrastructure.

Each opportunity will be structured around the following directions:

1. Description of the opportunity – A clear analysis of the economic opportunity within the targeted sector (e.g., agriculture, energy, logistics).
2. Impact on the Moldova Region – An overview of how the opportunity will contribute to local development, job creation, and improvement of economic conditions.
3. Success stories – Models of best practices from other regions or countries that could be replicated in Moldova.
4. Partnerships and collaborations – Identification of key stakeholders (public authorities, companies, investors) who can facilitate the implementation of this opportunity.
5. Economic forecast – A brief estimate of the economic impact (GDP, jobs, attracting investments) generated by each opportunity.

Key targeted sectors:

The campaign will cover a wide range of industries, focusing on:

• Infrastructure and transport: Building logistics parks, developing public and private transport networks, investing in storage facilities.
• Energy and environment: Renewable energy projects along the highway, optimizing energy transport networks.
• Agriculture and rural development: Developing a modern irrigation system, expanding supply chains, and facilitating access to international markets.
• Industry and manufacturing: Creating industrial clusters, attracting foreign investments in production fields.
• Technology and innovation: Supporting technology start-ups, implementing smart technologies in infrastructure.
• Tourism and hospitality: Promoting cultural tourism, ecotourism, and business tourism in Moldova.
• Education and vocational training: Adapting vocational training programs to meet the new requirements of industry and logistics.
• Healthcare services and medical infrastructure development: The A7 Highway will contribute to improving access to healthcare services in Moldova, reducing transport time between localities and regional medical centers. This will facilitate the development of modern medical infrastructure along the route, creating partnerships between public and private medical institutions and attracting investments in state-of-the-art equipment. Additionally, better connectivity will help with the redistribution of patients from crowded centers to new regional hospitals, reducing the pressure on the healthcare system in large urban areas.

Promotion Channels:

The campaign will be promoted through various media channels to maximize impact and reach a wider audience:

1. Social Media and Official Website: Daily presentation of each opportunity, along with detailed articles.
2. Traditional Media (TV, radio, print): Interviews with industry experts and local leaders to explain the economic potential of the highway.
3. Public Events and Conferences: Organizing seminars and economic forums to discuss and present these opportunities in detail.
4. Partnerships with Universities and Business Organizations: Workshops and information sessions for students, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Expected Outcomes:

• Increased visibility and interest from investors in the Moldova Region and the potential of the A7 Highway.
• Operationalization of the MEMORANDUM of collaboration for Mapping Opportunities Generated by the construction of the MOLDOVA Highway – A7
• Mobilization of public authorities and the private sector for the implementation of long-term economic projects supported by the opportunities offered by the infrastructure.
• Development of a strategic plan for the next 6 years, based on the 100 opportunities identified in the campaign and the directions established by the MOLDOVA 2030 strategy.
• Implementation of the 8 stages of the strategic economic development of Moldova through the A7 Highway. These include creating a multi-sector consortium, conducting an impact study, collaboration between academia and business, dialogue with authorities, promoting the region as an investment hub, integrating ecological solutions, monitoring progress, and digital innovation. Each stage is designed to maximize the economic and social impact of the A7 Highway on the region. More details can be found here: A7 STRATEGY.