Moldovan entrepreneurs living abroad now have more opportunities to expand their businesses and connect directly with producers in the Republic of Moldova. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Moldova, with financial support from the UN Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund, is supporting the “Buy Diaspora” initiative – a tool dedicated to strengthening economic ties between the diaspora and local producers.

Implemented by the Invest Moldova Agency in partnership with the Diaspora Relations Bureau, the programme aims to boost exports, increase visibility of Moldovan products on international markets, and promote the Republic of Moldova as a destination for investment and tourism.

“The involvement of the diaspora in the country's economic development is essential. Through the Buy Diaspora programme, we aim to offer to the Moldovan entrepreneurs established abroad concrete tools to collaborate with local producers and bring back home new ideas and opportunities”, said Daniela Gasparikova, UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.

“Our goal is to increase Moldova’s visibility on international markets and create sustainable partnerships that benefit both entrepreneurs and the national economy,” stated Natalia Bejan, Director of the Invest Moldova Agency.

The “Buy Diaspora” programme is intended for companies founded or managed by members of the Moldovan diaspora who promote national culture and products through business activities abroad – such as restaurants, specialty shops, wine bars, event agencies, and food import and distribution companies.

Financial support of up to 5,000 euros per project will be provided in the form of material contributions and specialized expertise, including:

• goods and services necessary for project implementation;
• support for organizing or participating in promotional events abroad;
• consultancy in gastronomy, tourism, trade, and exports;
• marketing, branding, and logistics services.

To be eligible, companies must be legally registered in the country where they operate, co-finance at least 20% of the proposed project, not be undergoing insolvency, liquidation or suspension procedures, and have no blocked accounts or debts to the state budget. Applications can be submitted through the Invest Moldova platform.

Through “Buy Diaspora”, UNDP Moldova and Invest Moldova Agency aim to strengthen the presence of Moldovan products on international markets by facilitating partnerships between Moldovan diaspora entrepreneurs and producers or exporters from the Republic of Moldova.

The Invest Moldova Agency, in partnership with UNDP, cooperates in supporting the business sector and enhancing the country’s visibility as an attractive destination for investment and international trade. Recently, the Export Platform was launched, a digital tool developed as part of this partnership, aimed at supporting local companies in accessing foreign markets and strengthening their export capacities.

Complementary tools developed by the Invest Moldova Agency, in partnership with UNDP and the European Union, include the Interactive Investment Map, available in Romanian and English, which offers detailed information on the socio-economic potential of each region, investment opportunities, available human resources, and sectoral profiles.

Another recently developed tool is a market analytical tool – the SDG Investment Map, which identifies 5 priority sectors and 11 concrete areas of investment opportunities, ranging from renewable energy and digital agriculture solutions to medical tourism, pharmaceutical production, and technology services.

With support from the Government of Switzerland and UNDP, the Invest Moldova Agency is preparing investment profiles for six key industries: IT and creative industries, business process outsourcing, medical and social services, tourism and hospitality, agriculture and agri-processing, and industrial real estate.

Previously, UNDP provided technical assistance in developing investment proposals aimed at international partners (including the Middle East, Nordic countries, Romania, and Italy), identifying sectors with high competitive potential and areas of interest for regional investors.