The European Business Women’s Employers’ Association – PEFA organizes the second edition of the Economic Forum Romania – Republic of Moldova – F.E.R.M. , an event dedicated to strengthening economic relations between the two states and developing new investment opportunities, partnerships and joint projects. The event will take place on Thursday, September 17, 2026, starting at 10:00, at the Glia Impact Hub in Chisinau, being organized under the aegis of the National Bank of Moldova and in strategic partnership with the Embassy of Romania in the Republic of Moldova, with the support of AFAM – Association of Women Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Moldova and Association of Romanian Investors in the Republic of Moldova – AIR.
F.E.R.M. brings to the same table representatives of the public administration, the diplomatic environment, the financial-banking sector, employers’ organizations and companies from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, in a format built to transform institutional dialogue into concrete economic collaborations. Among the participants announced at the official opening are Cristian-Leon Țurcanu, Ambassador of Romania to the Republic of Moldova, Anca Dragu, Governor of the National Bank of Moldova, Vali Priceputu, MP and Vice-President of the Committee on Entrepreneurship and Tourism of the Chamber of Deputies, Carolina Bugaian, President of AFAM, and Victor Vevera, Director General of ICI Bucharest.
Anca Dragu, Governor of the National Bank of Moldova, highlighted the importance of bilateral collaboration and a stable financial environment in attracting investments and developing the economy: “Today, the partnership between the Republic of Moldova and Romania is based on a constant dialogue, exchange of best practices and modern reforms aimed at strengthening our financial system. By relying on predictability, digital transformation and innovation, we are building together an environment in which investors are confident to place their capital, companies find it easier to find the resources they need to grow, and citizens benefit from secure and needs-based financial services. This partnership brings us closer and closer to the European single market and the rigors of a solid, resilient and well-connected economy.”
Andreea Negru, President of the European Business Women’s Employers’ Association – PEFA, underlines the role of the Forum as a platform for moving from dialogue to concrete economic results:
“Romania and the Republic of Moldova need more than proximity, history and common values. They need joint projects, investments and economic partnerships capable of generating long-term development. Through F.E.R.M. we aim to build a platform where public institutions, the financial-banking environment and entrepreneurs can meet to identify concrete solutions and real opportunities for collaboration. The Republic of Moldova is going through an important process of European integration, and Romania can and must be one of its main economic partners. I
believe that the next stage of the relationship between the two states must be defined through investments, connectivity, competitiveness and projects developed together.”
The PEFA president also highlights the need to strengthen the presence of Romanian companies in the Republic of Moldova and to facilitate the access of Moldovan companies to the Romanian and European market.
In her turn, Lorena Stoian, First Vice-President of PEFA, emphasizes the role of entrepreneurs and private partnerships in bringing the two economies closer together:
“Economic integration is not achieved only through agreements and public policies, but especially through companies that invest, create jobs, develop supply chains and build sustainable trade relations. Romania represents an important gateway to the European market for entrepreneurs from the Republic of Moldova, and the Republic of Moldova offers, in turn, relevant opportunities for Romanian investors. Through the Romania-Republic of Moldova Economic Forum we want to bring these business communities closer together and transform the contacts established here into partnerships and concrete projects.”
An important component of this year’s edition is dedicated to the development of Romanian-Moldovan bilateral relations, with the participation of representatives of the banking, entrepreneurial, institutional and associative sectors.
The discussions will address access to finance, cross-border investments, SME development, cooperation between business organizations, the role of companies in the European integration process, as well as the importance of public-private partnerships.
The Forum benefits from the involvement of international and institutional strategic partners and brings together important organizations and companies from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, including BCR, Garanti BBVA, maib, OTP Bank, Team Montage, Baumit, PPC, Austrotherm, Electrica, Moldcell, UP, Association for the Development of Domestic Entrepreneurship ADAA, AES, DO Security. Institutional partners: Department for Sustainable Development, SME Romania and ICI Bucharest.
Media partners: Antena 3CNN, AGERPRESS, Financial Intelligence, Club Economicul, Economistul, Cursdeguverare, Transilvania Business, Ziarul Bursa, IAM Sport, știripesurse.ro, InvesTenergy, Profit.ro, News.ro, The Diplomat, EM360, Club Entrepreneur, Focus Energetic, Money.ro, Energy Industry Review, News One, V4Media, Iubim Brașovul Group.
Through the second edition of the F.E.R.M., PEFA aims to develop a permanent platform for economic cooperation Romania-the Republic of Moldova, which will facilitate direct connections between entrepreneurs, investors, institutions and the financial sector and contribute to transforming the identified opportunities into concrete projects.