The event’s agenda included discussions on the evolution and challenges facing Moldova’s clusters, on enhancing economic competitiveness, on promoting innovation, and on identifying opportunities for collaboration between government agencies and the private sector.
During the dialogue, Inna Butuchel, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Industry, and Rural Development (MAIA), spoke about the impact of the prospect of joining the European Union on the agricultural sector of the Republic of Moldova. The ministry representative explained what compliance with European policies and standards entails. She also outlined opportunities related to European funds for the modernization of agriculture in candidate countries.
During the event, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between three clusters specializing in the production and marketing of table grapes. This document will serve as the basis for a common platform to coordinate and develop this segment of fruit growing under the “Moldovan Grapes” concept. The initiative is a pilot project for cooperation between clusters, with the potential for expansion and replication in other sectors of the country’s economy.
The “Clusters Meet Clusters” forums are a preliminary stage in the process of establishing the Association of Clusters of the Republic of Moldova.
In recent years, the United Nations Development Programme in Moldova, in collaboration with development partners, has supported the creation and development of 21 economic clusters in the Republic of Moldova through a number of programs and initiatives, including EU4Moldova: Focal Regions, AdTrade, and PRIM. These clusters bring together businesses, local governments, educational and research institutions, as well as other organizations around regional and sectoral value chains.
