Maya Sandu and Rob Jetten
The event will bring together representatives of business circles, investors, public authorities and specialized institutions from the Republic of Moldova and the Benelux states – Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Its main goal is to strengthen trade, economic and investment ties between the parties.
The forum’s program will include B2B sessions, thematic panels and networking events aimed at finding new opportunities for economic and investment cooperation. The organizers emphasize that the forum will create a platform for professional dialogue and help establish direct contacts between companies, agencies and business support organizations of the two regions.
Maia Sandu’s visit to The Hague
The announcement of the forum was made in the context of President Maia Sandu’s working visit to The Hague, where the head of state held meetings with Prime Minister Rob Jetten, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Dylan Yeshilgeus-Zegerius, as well as with Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen.
The press service of the presidential administration said that in the economic field, Moldova and the Netherlands have a significant potential for the development of bilateral relations. The mutual trade volumes are growing, and Dutch companies are increasingly active in Moldova, including in the IT sector. At the same time, the agreement on avoiding double taxation is seen as an important element to boost investments and expand economic cooperation.
One and a half million euros to combat challenges
During the discussions, the officials discussed the deepening of the bilateral partnership and the Netherlands’ assistance in the implementation of domestic reforms and Moldova’s advancement on the European integration path. According to the presidential administration, the government in The Hague supports the reform of the justice system, the consolidation of civil society and independent media, as well as the countering of hybrid threats, including information manipulation, illegal financing of political activities and cyberattacks.
The head of state welcomed the allocation to Moldova of additional assistance worth 1.5 million euros for projects in the defense sector and for the improvement of the country’s resistance to cyber and hybrid challenges.
“The Netherlands has been by our side in the fight against hybrid threats. You have contributed to the defense of our elections, our institutions and our democratic processes,” said President Maia Sandu.
