Sergiu Munteanu
LP: – What is the share of companies from the winegrowing and winemaking industry in the total number of maib business clients? How many of them are large?
– The winemaking sector is strategic for the economy of the Republic of Moldova and occupies a special place in maib‘s client portfolio.
At the national level, the wine sector (cultivation of grapes and production of wines from grapes) contributes about 2% to the country’s GDP.
In comparison, the share of this sector in other countries is much lower: in Romania – 0.1%, Poland – 0.2%, Czech Republic – less than 0.05%.
According to the data of the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) for 2024, Moldova ranks 16th in the world in terms of vineyard area and 20th in terms of the volume of wine produced.
Moldovan wine exports (still and sparkling wines) in 2024 reached $144 million, which is 4% of the country’s total exports ($3.5 billion).
This is the best indicator for the last 10 years. The absolute maximum was recorded in 2013. – $149 mln.
For comparison: wine exports from Romania amount to $42 mln, from Poland – $84 mln, from the Czech Republic – $25 mln.
If we talk about the wine sector, there are about 129 companies active in it, with a total revenue of 4.6 billion lei (data for 2023), of which 13 belong to the category of corporate clients, and 11 of them are actively served in maib, within the Corporate Clients Department.
It is important to note that these 13 large clients generate about 62% of the sector’s total sales, which confirms the importance of the partnership established between maib and the key representatives of the Moldovan wine industry.
These data confirm that maib not only serves the leading companies of the sector, but also actively contributes to the development and strengthening of this key sector of the economy.
LP: – Why do they choose maib as a financial partner?
– Companies from the wine sector choose maib because they find in us a partner who understands the specifics and complexity of this industry. Our advantage lies in our combination of expertise, customized financial products and strategic support.
Firstly, we have a solid experience and an active history of working with industry leaders, which allows us to practically understand the real needs of these businesses – be it investments in technology, vineyards, inventory, exports or regional expansion.
Secondly, maib offers flexible financing structures adapted to the seasonal cycles and financial characteristics of the sector. We can structure customized products, flexible grace periods and advise on cash flow management.
Another important advantage is access to international financing, including through partnerships with BERD and IFC, which allows us to offer favorable interest rates and repayment terms. Here it is also worth mentioning the cooperation with such projects as Filiera Vinului, Livada Moldovei and others.
Finally, maib offers a unique service on the Moldovan market – the provision of sectoral analytical reviews. This allows our clients to better navigate trends, identify growth opportunities and make more informed strategic decisions
LP: – I guess the support measures for large clients are different from those offered to SMEs. What does maib offer for large enterprises?
– At maib, the customer is at the center of attention at all levels, including the Corporate Clients Department, where we work individually with each company, taking into account the specifics of the business, the pace of development and long-term goals.
For large enterprises, including those from the wine sector, we offer a strategic and personalized approach with comprehensive solutions tailored to the needs of each business.
Among them I would point out:
- seasonal credit lines and working capital loans with repayment schedules adapted to the specificities of this sector;
- investment loans for the modernization of production facilities, purchase of equipment, logistics or expansion of vineyard areas;
- specialized financial products such as factoring, reverse factoring, bank guarantees;
- support from dedicated managers who know the industry and provide ongoing support;
- assistance in structuring investment projects eligible for international financing or in raising grant funds.
This approach allows us to be not just a provider of financial services, but an active partner in the sustainable development of our clients’ businesses.
LP: – What international projects is maib currently working with, thanks to which it can offer more favorable lending terms?
– Maib actively cooperates with such international financial organizations as BERD and IFC, which allows us to offer more favorable lending terms to our clients.
Thanks to this partnership, we provide access not only to loans with flexible repayment schedules, but also to grant programs that can partially cover clients’ investments in development and modernization. This gives businesses additional resources for growth and increases the efficiency of the projects being implemented.
LP: – In your opinion, what advantages does maib have that make winegrowing and winemaking businesses choose your bank?
– Maib is first and foremost a reliable partner for companies in the wine sector. Our advantages start with a deep understanding of the industry, confirmed by our successful experience with major producers, and extend to flexibility in the solutions we provide and strategic support at every stage of business development.
As far as I know, we are the only bank in Moldova that also provides clients with strategic industry analytics, including the wine sector. This gives companies a real advantage in planning and decision-making. We have specialized products, experienced teams and a constant readiness to adapt solutions, depending on the stage each company is at. All this makes working with maib a true and long-term partnership.
LP: – What are some of the success stories that have been created and continue to be created through business collaboration with maib?
– We have considerable experience in successfully realizing investment projects with representatives of the wine sector. Among them – modernization of production lines, expansion of processing capacities, introduction of modern technological solutions and increase of vineyard area. These investments have allowed the enterprises to significantly increase production volumes, improve product quality and successfully enter foreign markets, which is reflected in the growth of sales and strengthening of export potential.
An important part of the strategy of some clients has also become the development of wine tourism – the creation of infrastructure to receive tourists, the organization of wine routes, integration with agricultural festivals and events, which allows to increase brand recognition and attract additional income.
These success stories confirm maib ‘s active, long-term and sustainable involvement in the development of the Moldovan wine industry. We act not only as a source of financing, but also as a strategic partner, supporting clients at all stages – from idea to growth and expansion.
LP: – We wish maib and all its clients a successful development for the benefit of the Moldovan economy.
