The fourth edition of the Moldova Trade Forum – one of the most important business partnership-building and export promotion events in the Republic of Moldova – started on 21 November 2024. The event is organized within the framework of UNDP Project "Advanced Cross-River Capacities for Trade" (AdTrade), with financial support of Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Over 120 producers from both banks of the Nistru River, international experts, government officials, and development partners gathered on the event's first day to discuss current trends in international trade, explore new export markets for Moldova, and identify solutions to integrate innovation and sustainability into business practices.

In her opening remarks, Fern Horine, British Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, stated: "Through the AdTrade project, the United Kingdom encourages local businesses to increase their competitiveness, stay current with international standards and contribute to the country's economic development. I hope today's discussions will bring us closer to our common vision – a more prosperous, sustainable and resilient Moldova."

The first conference session focused on aligning Moldova's trade policies with international standards, expanding export markets and integrating technological innovations into trade. International economic expert Dr. Jan-Philipp Kramer shared insights on MSMEs export expansion, while experts and officials discussed Moldovan exporters' challenges and successes in EU markets, offering sector-specific recommendations. Representatives from several companies and business associations from both banks of the Nistru shared their experiences in adapting to international market requirements.

Thomas Alveteg, Deputy Head of the Development Cooperation Section at the Embassy of Sweden in Chișinău, mentioned during the event: "Moldova has indeed increased its efforts to harmonise its regulations with the European standards. This is an important step towards EU-integration and increases opportunities for trade with the EU-member states. The Government has introduced measures to make Moldova more attractive for startups and cutting red tape to promote investments."

The second session of the conference addressed sustainable finance principles, the adoption of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) practices in trade and the role of clusters in promoting exports by fostering collaboration among companies, accessing shared resources, and enhancing competitiveness in international markets. Economic experts highlighted the long-term positive impact of integrating sustainability principles into business processes, showcased innovations in digital platforms as catalysts for market diversification, and presented innovative solutions and practical perspectives on entering foreign markets.

Daniela Gasparikova, UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova, stated: "We are proud to convene the fourth edition of Moldova Trade Forum, that has become a renowned platform for Moldovan policymakers, exporters, and global trade experts to collaborate and explore strategic responses to the evolving economic landscape. At the same time, the Forum connects local businesses to national retailers, offering them opportunities to cooperate."

In the second part of the day, a series of B2B sessions were organized, providing producers from both banks of the Nistru with the opportunity to present their commercial offers and establish business partnerships with representatives of Moldova's largest trade networks, as well as with other producers.

The forum will continue on 22 November with online business meetings via the Business-to-Business Matchmaking platform www.tradeforum.md, enabling direct contact between Moldovan producers, international business partners, and diaspora representatives. At the same time, members of the diaspora will use this platform to connect with the business environment in the Republic of Moldova, thereby strengthening commercial ties.