Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu’s speech at the European Business Summit in Brussels
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished business leaders,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Mes chers collègues et amis,
It is a great honor to deliver the closing remarks of this second day of the European Business Summit — a gathering of leaders who shape Europe’s economy, competitiveness, and strategic direction.
Just a month ago, I would have been sitting among you as part of the European business community. Today, together with my exceptional team in the Government of the Republic of Moldova, we are working to take our country to a completely new level.
This Summit is about choices and opportunities — the essence of democracy and the essence of Europe. And Moldova has made its choice: we embrace Europe fully and without hesitation.
We are returning to the place where we belong — a space of freedom, opportunity, and development.
The rest is only technicalities… and a great deal of hard work.
In my closing remarks, I want to bring the perspective of a country that is transforming at unprecedented speed — a country aligning its laws, institutions, economy, and business environment with European standards, turning challenges into momentum and complexity into opportunity.
1. Moldova’s Economy: Resilient, Reform-Driven, and Growing
Despite successive global shocks, Moldova’s economy is not only stable — it is accelerating.
We have lived through our share of Black Swans, to borrow Nassim Taleb’s metaphor: a pandemic, regional energy crises, outside interference, and now a major war at our doorstep. Yet we have stabilized our economy and prepared it for sustainable development.
In Q2 2025, GDP grew by 1.1% year-on-year and 1.6% quarter-on-quarter — modest, but a decisive break from decline.
Growth is driven by:
Construction (+7.2%), supported by strong residential and industrial investment;
A 20% expansion in the energy sector, thanks to domestic production and renewables;
ICT (+2%), one of our flagship sectors, boosted by digitalisation and external demand;
A 10% increase in service exports, which now exceed goods exports by more than 26% — clear evidence of structural transition.
Private consumption is rising, supported by real wage growth and a 30% increase in consumer lending. Investments are expanding.
We have inherited many structural problems — but we move forward. We have a plan. We have the determination. And we are accelerating reforms.
2. EU Accession: Moldova Is Delivering at Full Speed
Our European path is a national project. It is not about reaching the finish line quickly — it is about becoming our best version every single day.
The 2025 EU Enlargement Package confirms Moldova’s remarkable progress. Among all candidate countries, we registered the biggest improvement in preparedness for accession.
And we are not slowing down. We are committed to maintaining this pace and to making Moldova a full EU Member State by 2030.
3. Moldova’s Growth Strategy: Resilience, Innovation, Convergence
Looking forward, Moldova will transform resilience into sustained convergence with the European Union.
Our priorities are clear:
Deepen production, innovation, and investment-driven growth;
Accelerate the energy transition — more domestic generation, more renewables, more security;
Advance ICT as a dynamic growth pole;
Expand high-value service exports and sustain structural transformation;
Increase domestic demand through real wage growth, responsible credit expansion, and targeted public investment.
We will tackle inherited weaknesses with a comprehensive reform agenda: regulatory modernisation, better governance, and an investment climate designed to unlock private capital and EU partnerships.
Moldova is ready to accelerate. Moldova is ready to partner.
4. The €1.9 Billion EU Growth Plan: A Game-Changer
The EU Growth Plan for Moldova — the largest support package in our history — is transformative.
Over 150 reforms are being implemented between now and 2027.
The Growth Plan is expected to raise GDP growth to up to 7% by 2028.
On 4 September, we launched the first-ever EU–Moldova Strategic Investment Call in six priority sectors, with projects starting at €10 million and requiring 15% equity participation.
This is more than support.
This is Moldova’s entry into Europe’s investment architecture — a system that mobilises private capital alongside European financial institutions.
5. Trade Integration: Moldova Becomes a European Export Powerhouse
The EU remains our largest partner:
68% of Moldova’s exports and 53% of our imports are with the European Union.
This year brought major achievements:
Full liberalisation for several agricultural products, including tomatoes, garlic, and grape juice;
Significant increases in export quotas for plums, cherries, table grapes, and apples;
Moldova became the largest plum exporter to the EU — a sign of quality, competitiveness, and trust;
For the first time, Moldova is included in EU regulations for animal-origin products and now exports poultry, meat, eggs, and fresh poultry to the EU.
This is not Moldova integrating “someday.”
This is Moldova integrating now — every single day.
6. Quality Infrastructure and Consumer Protection: Full Alignment with the Single Market
Over the past year, Moldova has moved decisively toward European standards:
By January 2026 all legacy Soviet GOST standards will be removed. Moldova has already adopted 100% of the voluntary technical and safety specification that aim to remove trade barriers,
foster the European economy, and ensure the quality and safety of products and services across Europe, as well as 90% of the globally applicable standards for Information and Communication Technologies;
MOLDAC now operates fully at European and international levels;
Consumer protection legislation is aligned with the EU’s General Product Safety Regulation;
The European Consumer Centre in Moldova is operational;
And we launched a unified consumer hotline integrating 12 authorities.
These are solid foundations for a predictable, trustworthy business environment.
7. Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity: Moldova as a Rising European Tech Hub
Moldova is becoming one of Europe’s most dynamic digital performers.
We have:
Met all requirements for Roam Like at Home, entering into force on 1 January 2026;
We are fully aligned with the 2016 framework for electronic identification and trust services, as well as enhanced cybersecurity across member states. We have also gained access to the EU Cybersecurity Reserve.
Our goal is clear:
By 2030, Moldova will be a fully digital, smart state.
We are developing a Sandbox Law for agriculture, health, and energy, and launching a national AI skills programme to train 1,000 specialists by 2028.
8. Investment Promotion and Industrial Development
Moldova has introduced:
New industrial platform regulations;
A national programme for industrial parks (€250 million under the Growth Plan);
A €200 million Regional State Aid Scheme, compensating up to 60% of strategic investments;
A new late-payments law to protect SME liquidity;
The International Stock Exchange of Moldova, launched with the Bucharest Stock Exchange;
A fully digitalised permit and SME support system;
And a Credit Guarantee Fund covering 80% of loans — with 11% of all SME lending guaranteed.
This is a market opening with clarity, predictability, and European best practice.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Moldova is no longer a small market at Europe’s edge.
Moldova is becoming:
a platform for growth,
a hub for digital innovation,
a trusted partner in the Single Market,
and a future EU Member State — preparing responsibly and ambitiously.
To the European business community, I say this:
Moldova is open. Moldova is competitive. Moldova is ready.
Let us build together the next chapter of Europe’s competitiveness — one that includes Moldova as a contributor to stability, innovation, and economic growth across our continent.
Thank you for your partnership, for your confidence, and for your vision of a stronger Europe.
Last, but not least, I invite you all to visit Moldova. We’re family, after all!
Thank you. Je vous remercie!
