Six newly established economic clusters along the Nistru River are receiving financial support totaling approximately US$1.3 million to boost their development and foster economic cooperation between communities on both riverbanks. The assistance is provided by Sweden and the United Kingdom through the UNDP project "Advanced Cross-River Capacities for Trade" (AdTrade).

Each of the six clusters is benefiting from non-reimbursable financial assistance of up to $275,000 in the form of equipment, services, and goods. This support aims to strengthen production capacities, expand value chains, improve product quality and increase competitiveness on both local and international markets. It also includes mentoring activities and training sessions for cluster members, focused on process optimization, innovation, and job creation.

The six supported clusters were established in 2024 with the support of UNDP, Sweden, and the United Kingdom under the AdTrade project. Each cluster operates under its own management entity and follows a three-year strategic development plan. The supported clusters include:

• Light Industry Cluster “Moldova Textile Export”. This cluster brings together 12 factories and workshops from the light industry sector across the micro-region of Rezina, Rîbnița, and Șoldănești. With the support provided by AdTrade, the cluster aims to help small producers in the region access foreign markets by modernizing equipment and improving collaboration along the value chain.
• Vegetable Sector Cluster “Lower Nistru”. This initiative unites 12 entrepreneurs traditionally engaged in vegetable production from the micro-region encompassing the localities of Ștefan Vodă, Slobozia, Tighina, Grigoriopol, and Căușeni. The cluster focuses on enhancing the quality of vegetable production and post-harvest infrastructure in the region.
• Tourism Cluster “Nistru Riviera”. Comprising 17 entrepreneurs from communities surrounding the Dubăsari Reservoir, also known as the “Sea of Moldova,” the largest lake in the country, this cluster promotes sustainable tourism with an emphasis on leisure, ecotourism, and integrated services for visitors. The support received will enhance the competitiveness of the region’s tourism offer.
• Agri-Food Cluster “Fruit Export Hub”. This cluster brings together 13 entrepreneurs from the Șoldănești and Camenca micro-region, with an annual fruit production of approximately 10,000 tonnes. The investment will target post-harvest infrastructure, packaging, and promotion on international markets.
• Table Grapes Cluster “Gold Grapes Logistic”. Consisting of 11 entrepreneurs from the Ștefan Vodă, Căușeni, Slobozia, and Grigoriopol micro-region, the cluster will benefit from support aimed at improving product quality and establishing a modern logistics platform for storing, sorting, and packaging grapes to increase export volumes.
• Beekeeping Cluster “Trade Honey Group”. This cluster unites 11 entrepreneurs from the Căușeni, Slobozia, Grigoriopol, and Basarabeasca micro-region, collectively managing over 3,500 beehives. Its goal is to increase the added value of honey products by modernizing harvesting, processing, and certification practices.

The assistance provided to the clusters will enhance their operational capacity, expand value chains and promote interregional cooperation and economic integration between communities on both sides of the Nistru River. In total, 64 businesses from both banks are set to improve their competitiveness, labor productivity, and export capacity.

Since 2019, UNDP Moldova and its partners, the European Union, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, have supported the formation and development of 17 economic clusters, with a total investment of $4.8 million. The clusters operate in a variety of sectors, including livestock farming, horticulture, tourism, and manufacturing.

These clusters aim to generate higher added value for local economic growth and improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises.

In 2024, nine clusters from the Republic of Moldova successfully completed the ECEI Bronze Label “Striving for Cluster Excellence” certification process, reflecting their strong commitment to performance and excellence.