Moderator – Irina Buzu, Advisor to the Deputy Prime-Minister, Minister for Economic Development and Digitalisation of Moldova
Speakers: William Trigg, Economic Growth Office Director at USAID Moldova, Maria Claudia Pachon, Senior Digital Development Specialist at World Bank, Galina Cicanci, Country Officer for Moldova at IFC, Thomas Alveteg, Deputy Head of Cooperation at Embassy of Sweden in Moldova, Dumitru Buhai, Analyst, Advice for Small Business Programme within the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Galina Cicanci, Country Officer for Moldova at IFC
“IFC’s priorities and concerns are primarily driven by the needs of the private sector. Building strong relationships with the state is also crucial for creating an environment that facilitates private sector growth, particularly in terms of the regulatory framework. In many countries, we have encouraged regulators to establish regulatory sandboxes to support them in achieving the right balance between the strictness of regulations and their ability to enable innovation.”
Irina Buzu, Advisor to the Deputy Prime-Minister, Minister for Economic Development and Digitalisation of Moldova.
”Trust is a core pillar that is very hard to earn and very easy to lose, especially in the realm of technology, where it is deeply linked to security. The adoption of technological advancements and digital transformation largely depends on how much trust people, companies, and states have in the process itself.”
Dumitru Buhai, Analyst, Advice for Small Business Programme within the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
“Digitalization is a top priority within a green economy and inclusion pillar. At EBRD, we support SMEs by focusing specifically on access to capital, capacity building, and innovation. Our support is delivered through tailored programs designed to help local SMEs and startups overcome barriers to their development, such as limited access to finance and expertise.
We strongly believe that investing in digital tools is crucial for a company’s growth. These tools can help businesses scale up to three times their current size while requiring less investment compared to physical assets, making them a highly efficient path to development.”
Thomas Alveteg, Deputy Head of Cooperation at Embassy of Sweden in Moldova
“Moldova is investing heavily in the development of digital skills, digital infrastructure, and the digitalization of services for both the public and private sectors. Drawing from Sweden’s positive experience in digitalization, these efforts demonstrate that Moldova is on the right track. We, as donors in Moldova, are committed to supporting these initiatives in collaboration with other donor representatives in the country.”
William Trigg, Economic Growth Office Director at USAID Moldova
“While we see some challenges, there is also a silver lining. Limited infrastructure in rural areas remains an issue, but the 90% penetration rate is remarkable, particularly for a developing country. At the same time, cybersecurity concerns highlight the need for greater collaboration with the private sector.
There are also significant opportunities, especially in growing tech ecosystems and advancing digital transformation in public services to better reach rural areas. USAID is dedicated to expanding digital infrastructure, enhancing public service delivery, and improving digital skills while ensuring a secure and rights-driven digital environment.”
