According to the agency's director, Natalia Bejan, European economic integration is one of the central themes of Moldova Business Week 2026, which will take place from September 28 to October 2. According to her, during Moldova Business Week 2026, representatives of government agencies, the business community, investors, financial institutions, and economic experts will analyze the impact of European economic integration on the competitiveness of companies in our country. The agenda will include sessions dedicated to access to the European market, attracting investment, developing exports, and harmonizing standards developed as part of ongoing economic reforms. The experience of countries that have already gone through this process shows that European integration can accelerate the development of the business environment and create more favorable conditions for investment and exports. For example, in Poland, 20 years after joining the European Union, real GDP per capita was approximately 40% higher than it would have been had the country not joined the EU. During the same period, the value of services exports from the eight Central and Eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004 increased 3.5-fold between 2005 and 2022. In addition, these countries attracted a total of about $630 billion in foreign direct investment between 2004 and 2022. Romania is also a good example: since joining the European Union in 2007, Romania's GDP per capita has risen from 44% of the EU average to approximately 78% in 2024. Moldova is also moving toward European economic integration. The European Union is already our country's main trading partner. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in 2025, EU countries accounted for about 67.5% of Moldova's exports of goods and 54.1% of its imports. At the same time, Moldova's Economic Growth Plan, supported by the European Union with 1.9 billion euros for 2025–2027, creates conditions for attracting investment, modernize infrastructure, and enhance the economy's competitiveness, in parallel with the implementation of the reforms outlined in the Reform Program. "European economic integration creates better conditions for the development of companies in Moldova. This includes access to markets, investment, standards that facilitate trade, and a more competitive business environment. It is important for entrepreneurs and investors to understand how they can benefit from these advantages and identify the tools that can help them grow," noted Natalia Bejan, Director of the Investment Agency. Referring to the specific benefits of European economic integration for companies, she noted that companies benefit from easier access to the European market, which allows them to diversify their sales markets, attract new customers, and expand their operations beyond Moldova. Integration into European value chains is also important: local companies can become suppliers or partners to international companies. Furthermore, an economic framework aligned with European standards and an ongoing reform process boost investor confidence, which can lead to attracting new investments, developing large-scale projects, and creating jobs. Additionally, companies can take advantage of European funding, development programs, financial guarantees, and other instruments that support investment, innovation, digitalization, and increased competitiveness. Furthermore, the harmonization of legislation and standards with EU norms contributes to clearer and more stable regulations, reducing uncertainty and providing companies with a favorable framework for planning investments and long-term development. At the same time, the adoption of European standards and access to technologies, know-how, and international partnerships help improve the quality of products and services, enabling companies to compete more effectively in European and global markets. Registration for Moldova Business Week 2026 is now open on the official platform at www.mbw.md. // 11.08.2026 — InfoMarket