Approximately two hundred entrepreneurs from both banks of the Nistru River, economic experts, business leaders, government officials, and development partners gathered on 14 November 2025 in Chișinău for the fifth edition of the Moldova Trade Forum - a flagship event dedicated to fostering business partnerships and promoting Moldovan exports.

This anniversary edition, organized by the UNDP project “Advanced Cross-River Capacities for Trade” (AdTrade) with financial support from Sweden and the United Kingdom, provided a platform for dialogue on emerging trends in international trade. Participants explored strategies to help Moldovan producers strengthen their resilience and competitiveness, harnessing their export potential.

The forum tackled key topics shaping the future of Moldova’s economy: aligning Moldovan businesses with the requirements of the EU Single Market, diversifying export-oriented products, expanding into emerging markets, and strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises through strategic adaptation, innovation, and digitalization.

Representatives of public institutions, business community, and international organizations discussed needed steps to align trade strategies with the new economic realities and identified ways to support Moldovan producers in expanding their presence on foreign markets while leveraging international assistance dedicated to export development.

During the conference, entrepreneurs from various sectors shared success stories demonstrating how innovation and collaboration can transform challenges into opportunities. Representatives of agricultural cooperatives, economic clusters, business associations, and entrepreneurs from both banks of the Nistru River highlighted how integrating green practices, adopting innovative technologies, digitalizing processes, and fostering cooperation within value chains can generate added value, open new markets for Moldovan producers, and contribute to long-term sustainable development.

Participants also discussed innovative solutions for promoting exports and developing business models capable of responding to the demands of an economy in constant transformation.

Valeriu Jalobă, president of Fruitmol Group, one of the largest producer cooperatives in Moldova specializing in the production and export of dried plums to markets in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, emphasized during the event that adaptation and cooperation are essential for success in international markets: "Today, through association, innovation, and perseverance, we are demonstrating that competitive agricultural businesses capable of conquering European markets can also be built in Moldova." According to him, investments in technology and quality standards, supported by projects such as UNDP/AdTrade, provide local producers with the tools they need to become reliable players in the global market.

Inna Baryshnikova, representative of the Association of Social Entrepreneurs in Tiraspol, noted that more and more companies on the left bank of the Nistru are interested in integrating into foreign markets and collaborating with partners on the right bank: "More and more entrepreneurs on the left bank are looking to develop their businesses in line with European standards, investing in quality, packaging, and partnerships. Cooperation between the two banks brings real benefits to everyone, whether it is the exchange of raw materials, production orders, or joint exports. Entrepreneurs on the left bank of the Nistru are increasingly active, motivated, and open to innovation, but they need financial, logistical, and educational support, and forums such as today's are essential for joining forces and finding concrete solutions.”

At the same time, entrepreneurs had the opportunity to connect directly with representatives of major retail networks in the Republic of Moldova during B2B sessions. These business meetings provided a practical setting for negotiating partnerships and exploring new trade opportunities among producers, distributors, and partners from both banks of the Nistru River.

On 20 November, online International Online B2B Sessions will be conducted via the platform www.tradeforum.md. These sessions are open to participants, offering the opportunity for Moldovan producers and suppliers to connect with entrepreneurs, retailers, and potential business partners from around the world.

The “Advanced Cross-River Capacities for Trader” (AdTrade) project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with financial support from Sweden and the United Kingdom, contributes to fostering entrepreneurship, strengthening economic partnerships between producers on both banks of the Nistru River, and integrating Moldovan companies into external markets.