Previous articles in this series:
The Republic of Moldova: From Crisis to a New Form of Statehood. Introduction
The Republic of Moldova: From Crisis to a New Form of Statehood. A Vision of the Future
After formulating a vision of the future, understanding the person of the future, and defining the country’s cultural code aimed at development in line with the times, the next important stage begins: building the relevant architecture of the spaces we inhabit, the things we create, and the things we take pride in—both today and tomorrow.
The Architecture of the Future
So, we have a vision of the future of the Republic of Moldova, an understanding of the person of the future, and a cultural code for the country that embodies the realization of potential, aspiration, and creativity; we have knowledge of the new global paradigm that has replaced the old one; we have an understanding of the times and current issues… All that remains is to choose a starting point for rebuilding the country in line with the realities of the future. That starting point must be the economy.
By observing the manifestations of the new global paradigm, analyzing Moldova’s history, taking our sovereign interests into account, and considering which sectors could become drivers of our development, we can identify four key sectors. And these sectors should no longer be single-component, as they were in the past, but rather cross-sectoral to ensure economic coherence, alignment with emerging trends, and the sustainable development of the state in the 21st century.
This is how our country’s development matrix was born:
– IT (science, education, technology, energy, environment)
– Industry (with an innovative focus)
– Tourism (history, culture, geography, environment, infrastructure)
– Agriculture (traditional, with innovative tools)
This matrix can serve as a foundation for understanding the nature and operations of the listed sectors, for forming new development regions within the Republic of Moldova’s internationally recognized borders, for reconfiguring public administration institutions, and for preparing the people of the future.
It is important to note that the matrix encompasses not merely the four economic sectors of the Republic of Moldova, but four interconnected systems for reproducing its national potential:
– The IT branch of the matrix develops as a cognitive-technological system that unlocks the potential of people and technologies;
– Industry —as a production-industrial system that creates a new generation of industry;
– Tourism —as a geocultural system aimed at capitalizing on Moldova’s territory;
– Agriculture —as a biosystemic structure managing the bioresources and food systems of the future.
The “5 Regions” Model
Officials in the Republic of Moldova are currently preparing to implement an administrative-territorial reform, which involves merging settlements into agglomerations based on the principle of consolidating the population into new territorial units and reducing administrative personnel costs in the organizational structures being phased out.
The reform is driven by the country’s low standard of living (Numbeo Cost of Living Index), a demographic crisis (low birth rate, natural population decline, and migration of active and able-bodied people to other countries— World Bank), the weak competitiveness of local products due to high resource prices and logistical challenges, high electricity and heating rates, the unbalanced structure of the country’s energy system as a whole, and other factors.
In light of the above, what solution did Moldovan officials come up with? A mechanical-mathematical one (consolidation) and an accounting one (cost reduction). Such an approach makes sense for a structural crisis, but is misguided for the phased and multi-level crises in which we currently find ourselves.
How should we proceed in our case? In our view (INBRASA), the only viable model for 21st-century Moldova is one consisting of five cluster-based development regions.
The total number of regions provides the country with stability and proper coordination, while the boundaries (there are a total of 32 districts in Moldova, the Gagauzia Autonomous Territorial Unit, and the unrecognized Transnistrian region) These regions could be centered around the following administrative units:
CENTER—Chisinau Municipality, Ialoveni, Strășeni.
NORTH – the municipalities of Bălți, Edineț, Soroca, and Florești.
WEST – Ungheni, Nisporeni, Călărași, and Hîncești.
SOUTH – Gagauzia Autonomous Territorial Unit (Comrat), Cahul, Cimișlia, Taraclia.
EAST – Transnistria region (Tiraspol), Căușeni, Orhei, Criuleni.
We haven’t forgotten that there are more district centers than are indicated here. Which districts and centers will be included in the cluster development regions is a secondary issue. The primary significance lies in the conceptual framework of this division.
The hyper-concentrated city of Chisinau, set against the backdrop of the rest of the country’s depopulation, must be “decongested” by shifting attention from the capital to the regions. Several districts should be added to Gagauzia to strengthen the autonomy’s integration into the national economy and bring it out of its enclave status. Similarly, the “EAST” cluster development region should be formed, where Transnistria would have the opportunity not only to become involved in the economy of the right bank but also to gain real momentum toward reintegration.
The matrix we have mentioned serves as the foundation for the development of each of the five regions. This means that:
– the economic sectors outlined in the matrix become the drivers of development in each region;
– based on this matrix, hubs, enterprises, and ecosystems are created that are focused on achieving the long-term goal articulated in the strategic vision of the Republic of Moldova mentioned above;
– it serves as a guiding light for the development and growth of a highly skilled workforce.
Each region has its own priorities
At the same time, although all regions share the same foundation for development, each region independently selects its development priorities within the framework of the matrix (the driver of development can be all sectors at once or, alternately, just one of them).
The key is to align with the strategic goal of establishing the Republic of Moldova as a unique national brand, the essence of which is to be a space of advanced development.
It is worth noting that the “5 Regions” model represents a horizontal (territorial) division of the economy into cluster-based development regions. It is cross-sectoral and multi-industry.
At the same time, we also need a vertical (national) cluster structure, the essence of which is to identify a specific sector that helps “weave” the country into a single, sustainable whole, thereby enabling autonomous development regions to consolidate and grow.
We have chosen the energy sector as the backbone of all areas of the economy and life in the Republic of Moldova, both now and in the future. At its core is a reliance on our own domestic electricity generation (including nuclear technology) as an essential pillar of our country’s sovereignty.
Please note! The regional boundaries we have outlined are not set in stone. Filling them with economic potential for development and social progress requires broad discussion. This is precisely what we are calling for by bringing this topic into the public sphere.
Elena Radu,
Director of the “Alfa” Institute for Strategic Branding (INBRASA).
