Ion ȘTEFANOVICI: „The future of the Moldova Region is being written now. And we are writing it together. Participate in FERM 2025 – July 9–13, Vatra Dornei”

The Moldova region is currently going through a defining period, marked by historic opportunities, but also by complex challenges. In this context, the Multiannual Programmatic Document of the Moldova Region – 2025 (MPDRM) reflects our firm and pragmatic commitment to ensuring the sustainable, integrated and competitive development of this region. It is our common responsibility to capitalize on these opportunities and find effective solutions to the emerging challenges.

2025 represents a key moment in the evolution of the Moldova Region. The strategic projects launched, such as the A7 Highway and the MoldovaHUB digital platform, become central pillars for economic growth, attracting investments and strengthening regional and international cooperation. Within the framework of the Moldova Regional Economic Forum (FERM 2025), we managed to involve relevant actors at regional, national and international levels to build this strategic vision together.

DPMRM 2025 It is structured around three fundamental priorities, which are based on pragmatic and applied principles:

Priority 1 – Bringing together demand and supply: Every private or state actor operates based on the logic of demand and supply, thus strengthening the circular economy of the region. This simple but effective principle underlies our economic development and sustainability.

Priority 2 – Identifying and solving systemic problems: We aim to address in a timely and efficient manner the challenges faced by actors in our region, facilitating the optimization and improvement of economic and social activities.

Priority 3 – External relations – “going out into the world” of the Moldova Region: We aim to consolidate our presence on foreign markets and strengthen cross-border cooperation, for deep integration into international economic, cultural, educational and medical-social flows.

Expected impact

Improving the quality of life of our citizens (Panel 5 – Public Health; Panel 7 – Agriculture and Rural Development; Panel 8 – Education and Workforce) through:

  • Expanded access, in every county of the Moldova Region, to quality regional products that support the local economy.
  • Stimulating the sense of belonging and regional pride, created through the programs of the Regional Culture and Identity Panel, which can favor the return of the diaspora and reduce the exodus of young people. • Guiding our young people, both on a human and professional level, from each county of the Region, by implementing the Regional Excellence Program, which will attract elite mentors — businessmen, teachers, doctors, officers, athletes — who will transmit to them not only the values, but also the secrets of the professional successes achieved by these high-performance people.

The coherent implementation of the DPMRM 2025 will generate the following measurable results by 2030:

  • Continuous mapping and capitalization of regional economic opportunities: constant identification and mapping of opportunities generated by the development of the A7 Highway and the unique potential of the natural resources of the Moldova Region (fertile agricultural lands, mineral and micellar waters, forest and underground resources); periodic updating of an interactive digital portfolio available through the MoldovaHUB platform.
  • Supporting and revitalizing the strategic industry of the Moldova Region as much as remains in each county, through adapted measures aimed at maintaining, modernizing and capitalizing on existing industrial capacities.
  • Significantly increasing the volume of regional exports, an objective that specifically involves increasing external competitiveness through: • obtaining inputs and raw materials at lower costs; • continuous technologicalization of production processes; • continuous professionalization of the workforce; • development of efficient distribution networks; • efficient promotion and negotiation abroad for the favorable positioning of products and services from the Moldovan Region; • adoption of adapted Romanian legislation, which would support the competitiveness of domestic production and facilitate access to foreign markets.
  • Increasing the number of tourists in the Moldova Region and conquering new international tourist markets through unified strategies for creating regional tourist packages and through sustained promotion on foreign markets.
  • Developing and implementing a unified public health strategy in the Moldova Region, which would ensure: • Adequate coverage of the entire region with modern and accessible medical services. • Correcting current imbalances by reducing overcrowding in the Iași University Medical Center. • Reducing professional depopulation in the other 5 counties by attracting and retaining medical personnel. • Modern equipment and balanced distribution of medical resources at the regional level.
  • Activating regional identity through impactful economic, cultural and gastronomic events. Emblematic example: Regional Fair “Gust de Moldova / Taste of Moldova” – FERM 2025

    Taste of Moldova Fair is the ideal model for implementing this priority, as:

    • brings supply and demand together (products, services, tourism, crafts)
    • creates direct interaction between producers and consumers – regional and cross-border
    • highlights the problems and concrete potential of the mountain area
    • provides a stage for the affirmation of local cultural and gastronomic identity , but also of a unified external image
    • stimulates tourism, partnerships and investments , being a visible platform for the entire historical Moldova

    Succeeding:

    • to promote “complete regional experiences” that combine: local economy + culture + gastronomy + tourism
    • to encourage the creation of regional brands like “Gust de Moldova” – replicable in other areas
    • to develop living spaces for connection between public, private and community actors
    • to transform these events into engines of external visibility and internal cohesion

    This priority works complementary to the three already defined, but brings emphasis on communication, belonging, and symbolic capital – all fundamental for the long-term development of the Moldova Region.

    • Youth involvement – the foundation of the development of the Moldova Region. For whom do we work and for whom do we want to raise this region, if not for our young people? If we do not involve them directly in these programs, everything is useless. That is why we have created the distinct Youth Panel, with the role of: • Developing unitary programs of leadership, mentoring and civic involvement in each county of the Moldova Region. • Supporting the integration of young people in strategic projects, in the economy and in local and regional public administration. • Implementing the Regional Excellence Program, through which young people will be guided by elite mentors — businessmen, teachers, doctors , officers, athletes — who will transmit to them not only the values, but also the secrets of professional success. • Encouraging the return of young people from the diaspora and stopping the exodus by creating real opportunities for affirmation.
    • Launching and expanding the “MADE IN MOLDOVA” store network, a pilot project proposed as a possible counterweight on the regional market to large international chains, the implementation of which depends exclusively on large Moldovan producers and their ability to understand the fundamental need for association and joint action. Its thematic expansion is being pursued.
    • Creating a strong and recognized regional identity. Our citizens, 4 million Moldovans, suffer from a misconception consolidated in Romania. By capitalizing on Moldova’s own elements of culture and regional identity, we will gain pride and appropriate recognition by highlighting the historical-cultural and literary-artistic heritage of our predecessors. It is worth noting that Transylvania has already developed concrete initiatives in the direction of supporting cinematographic productions and organizing major cultural events, such as film festivals (Film Festival). If the cultural factors in Moldova understand the opportunities for joint and concerted actions, our region will be able to achieve similar results in a short time horizon. That is why we have created the Culture and Regional Identity Panel separately and did not agree to include culture in the field of tourism or to bypass it, considering it an area of strategic importance for the future of the Moldovan Region.
    • The international opening of the Moldova Region in the European and international context, in direct relation to the reset of international geopolitics triggered by the events in Ukraine (war, peace negotiations, repositioning in the sphere of international relations). The proximity to Ukraine gives Romania, and implicitly the Moldovan Region, a major strategic responsibility and opportunity, requiring the assumption of thematic cross-border projects, both institutionally and in the private economy, to consolidate regional cooperation and stability.
    • Strengthening the strategic relationship with the Republic of Moldova . The historical, cultural and economic relationship between the Moldova Region and the Republic of Moldova gives us a significant competitive advantage in the current regional context. If we act together, we can transform this relationship into a major opportunity through: • Thematic cross-border projects, developed in priority areas: infrastructure, health, education, culture, industry and trade. • Building common economic networks and partnerships between private and institutional actors from the two regions. • Creating integrated value chains, including for export, for the benefit of both regions. • Jointly accessing external markets through consortia, networks and regional initiatives. • Coordinating these initiatives in an organized manner through the activity of Panel 11 – Regional and International Cooperation.