The fourth edition of the Moldova Trade Forum – one of the most important business partnership-building and export promotion events in the Republic of Moldova – started on 21 November 2024. The event was organized within the framework of UNDP Project "Advanced Cross-River Capacities for Trade" (AdTrade), with financial support of Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Over 120 producers from both banks of the Nistru River, international experts, government officials, and development partners gathered on the event's first day to discuss current trends in international trade, explore new export markets for Moldova, and identify solutions to integrate innovation and sustainability into business practices.

The first conference session focused on aligning Moldova's trade policies with international standards, expanding export markets and integrating technological innovations into trade. International economic expert Dr. Jan-Philipp Kramer shared insights on MSMEs export expansion, while experts and officials discussed Moldovan exporters' challenges and successes in EU markets, offering sector-specific recommendations. Representatives from several companies and business associations from both banks of the Nistru shared their experiences in adapting to international market requirements.

The second session of the conference addressed sustainable finance principles, the adoption of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) practices in trade and the role of clusters in promoting exports by fostering collaboration among companies, accessing shared resources, and enhancing competitiveness in international markets. Economic experts highlighted the long-term positive impact of integrating sustainability principles into business processes, showcased innovations in digital platforms as catalysts for market diversification, and presented innovative solutions and practical perspectives on entering foreign markets. In the second panel discussion, the Director of the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development, Vadim Codreanu, highlighted the opportunities that open up for Moldovan entrepreneurs as they access new export markets. 

In the second part of the day, a series of B2B sessions were organized, providing producers from both banks of the Nistru with the opportunity to present their commercial offers and establish business partnerships with representatives of Moldova's largest trade networks, as well as with other producers.