Moldova Trade Forum 2021 elevates solutions for integrating Moldovan producers into global value chains

The event represents a platform for establishing business partnerships and promoting exports from the Republic of Moldova and is organized for the second year in a row by UNDP with financial assistance of Sweden in the framework of the “Advanced cross-river capacities for trade” (AdTrade) Project.

Anna Lyberg, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Moldova: ”The support in strengthening competitiveness of Moldovan companies is fully in line with Swedish country strategy priority to contribute to development of Moldova’s market economy, so that the country can make full use of the EU Association Agreement. Our joint efforts were focused to assist companies in reaching new external markets and to find new partners. In this context, it is a pleasure to observe notable progress in all components of the AdTrade Project, despite the pandemic situation. Since the last year was a `test` for competitiveness of local business, it is worth mentioning that so far, the Project has delivered support to 49 companies from both banks of Nistru. Many of them are present today at the Moldova Trade Forum! This year we will continue to come up with other, not less important results for supporting the business environment on both banks of Nistru and promoting the exports. Hopefully Moldova Trade Forum these days will bring new opportunities for local businesses.”

The first day of the forum was dedicated to presentations and discussions about the challenges currently faced by entrepreneurs and the way in which they can successfully get adjusted to the new normality. The agenda of the first day included two sessions, during which top experts have shared their visions regarding the global trends in the area of trade, recommendations for recovery of businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crises, solutions for integrating Moldovan producers in global value chains, with special focus on terms and conditions for accessing European retail chains.

The participants also had the occasion to find out about the financing opportunities provided by development partners for developing export capacities of companies from both banks of the river Nistru, how to increase their presence on the local or foreign market, as well as about the electronic trade advantages in the post-pandemic context.

Dima Al-Khatib, UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova: “We believe the current crisis is equally an opportunity for positive change and building forward better. Emerging opportunities are around us, from the digitalization and modernization of businesses, to new engagement to shape the future of skills and modern education system, greening the economy, implementing the elements of good governance to engaging with citizens and business community around building a better future. Today’s event is of particular importance – we have succeeded in bringing together more than 500 participants from 38 countries and managed to set up 175 B2B individual meetings which are a unique opportunity to establish business contacts and long-lasting partnerships.”

The special guest of the Forum, Kjell Anders Nordström, ranked on the ninth place at the international level and number one in Europe in the ranking of most important management thinkers, talked to the participants about the internationalization of business in the context of new normality and adaptation solutions for Moldovan entrepreneurs in the post-pandemic context.

Also during the first day of the Forum, the participants had the occasion to listen to the recommendations of one of the top five business influencers in the world and number one in Great Britain, Bernard Marr, who presented a number of experiences and useful information about management, leadership, and future of business and global trends for retail trade in 2021.

Moldova Trade Forum 2021 will continue with two days of bilateral meetings among distributors, representatives of foreign trade networks and Moldovan producers, which were present on the https://tradeforum.md/, platform, provided by the Enterprise Europe Networks and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova. Overall, 175 B2B individual meetings were planned on the platform, hence representing a unique opportunity to generate new contacts, contracts and business partnerships.