100 OPPORTUNITIES / A7: “The A7 Highway and the economic security of Moldova: A new artery for growth and stability” 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 CAPDR

The A7 Highway is not just a road infrastructure project, but also an economic security vector for Moldova. In an uncertain global context, with supply chain disruptions and geopolitical challenges, this highway will provide economic stability and growth opportunities for the long term in the Moldova region.

1. Reducing economic vulnerabilities through connectivity

Moldova, until now isolated in terms of infrastructure, has been vulnerable to economic fluctuations and logistical disruptions from other regions. The A7 Highway will reduce these vulnerabilities by providing a fast and secure connection to national and international transport networks. This infrastructure will make the Moldovan economy more resilient to crises and better integrated into global supply chains.

2. Diversifying trading partners and reducing dependence on local markets

By connecting Moldova to international markets, the A7 Highway will allow companies to diversify their trading partners and reduce dependence on local markets. This will enhance economic security, enabling Moldovan companies to access new markets, including in Western Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, through the port of Constanța.

3. Impact on energy and transport infrastructure

With the A7 Highway, Moldova will have the opportunity to modernize not only its transport infrastructure but also its energy infrastructure. This project will stimulate investments in energy corridors in the region, providing Moldova with greater energy independence and access to diversified energy sources. This modernization will support long-term economic security.

4. Job stability and reducing migration

By creating new jobs and fostering local economic development, the A7 Highway will help reduce migration of the workforce from Moldova to other countries. The job stability offered by new investments will enhance the region’s economic security, providing people with reasons to stay in the country and contribute to local economic development.

Conclusion

The A7 Highway will provide Moldova with a new dimension of economic security, reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing resilience to external changes. This project will transform Moldova into a stable and prosperous region, capable of facing global economic challenges.

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 with other regions of the country and international markets. As construction progresses, this highway will not only improve mobility but also 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 of 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 framework for collaboration 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 every day, providing a clear and applicable vision of how various industries and economic sectors can benefit from this new infrastructure.

Each opportunity will be structured along 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 – A presentation of how the opportunity will contribute to local development, job creation, and improving economic conditions.
3. Success examples – Models of best practices from other regions or countries that could be replicated in Moldova.
4. Partnerships and collaborations – Identifying key players (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 sectors targeted:

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 startups, 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 the new requirements of industry and logistics.
• Health services and the development of medical infrastructure: The A7 Highway will contribute to improving access to health services in Moldova by reducing transportation 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 redistribute patients from overcrowded centers to new regional hospitals, reducing 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: Presentation of each daily opportunity, accompanied by detailed articles.
2. Traditional media (TV, radio, print): Interviews with industry experts and local leaders explaining 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 Results:

• Increased visibility and interest from investors in the Moldova Region and the potential of the A7 Highway.
• Operationalization of the MEMORANDUM 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 through the MOLDOVA 2030 strategy.
• Implementation of the 8 stages of strategic economic development for Moldova through the A7 Highway. These include creating a multi-sector consortium, conducting an impact study, fostering collaboration between academia and business, engaging with authorities, promoting the region as an investment hub, integrating ecological solutions, monitoring progress, and driving 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.