Romanian firms create 12,000 jobs in Moldova as trade nears €4.5B
Romanian Prime Minister Luca Niculescu pledged expanded support for cross-border investors during a visit to Chișinău on Tuesday, as bilateral trade approached €4.5 billion and Romanian companies generated roughly 12,000 Moldovan jobs.
Speaking to Romanian entrepreneurs in Chișinău on his first foreign visit since taking office, Niculescu assured business leaders that Bucharest will step up institutional backing for cross-border capital ventures. The prime minister underscored that beyond generating commercial profits, Romanian investments serve as critical anchors for regional stability and strategic integration.
“We learned that bilateral trade is approaching €4.5 billion [approx. 88.5 billion MDL], a figure we do not reach with many partner states,” the prime minister said. “These investments must yield profits, but they also constitute strategic pillars for our bilateral relationship.”
Niculescu commended the audacity of business executives operating across the Prut River amid complex regional headwinds. “I am deeply impressed by your resilience, but I would also add audacity, boldness, and the willingness to assume entrepreneurial risk,” said Niculescu.
Strategic investments and fiscal consolidation
Addressing broader economic priorities, the head of the Romanian executive outlined plans to spur growth, balance the state budget, and facilitate external expansion for domestic firms. He reiterated that Bucharest aims to achieve fiscal consolidation by eliminating public waste and enhancing tax collection rather than imposing new taxes.
“We do not intend to raise taxes and duties, as our assessments are ongoing, but that is the government's clear objective,” Niculescu said. “Fiscal consolidation means curbing waste, spending public funds more efficiently, and improving revenue collection, and we will work intensively on this with the finance minister.”
Niculescu added that Romania now benefits from a fully empowered cabinet following nearly six months of domestic political stalemate. He noted that attracting foreign capital requires regulatory predictability and macroeconomic stability to protect strategic sectors and foster private innovation.
High-level talks and energy infrastructure
The Romanian premier began his Chișinău itinerary on Tuesday morning with talks with Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia, followed by meetings with consular and embassy staff. His schedule includes bilateral consultations with Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan at the government headquarters, followed by an expanded plenary session and a joint press briefing.
Later in the afternoon, both prime ministers will inspect the Chișinău Electrical Substation and the 400-kV Vulcănești–Chișinău power transmission line, a cornerstone interconnection designed to link Moldova directly to the European energy grid and bypass legacy suppliers. Niculescu is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Moldovan President Maia Sandu and Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, while municipal authorities in Chișinău temporarily restrict public gatherings and perimeter traffic along the airport corridor until 22:00.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
RELATED COVERAGE
- Moldova deepens energy integration with Romania and Ukraine
- Experts: Moldova needs $700 million in foreign investment annually for real development
- Moldova seeks to keep 7% tax rate for IT companies after EU accession
- Twinning: Mayor of a commune in Cluj shares insights for Moldova on investments, EU funds
- Moldova's prime minister visits Kyiv for high-level talks
