For the Republic of Moldova, digitalization is essential for increasing economic competitiveness, attracting investment, and integrating into the European market. This message was delivered by Prime Minister Vasile Tofan at the opening of the first meeting of the Digital Connectivity Platform, which he attended alongside President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. The event is taking place on November 9–10 in Chișinău and is organized by the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the European Commission, TRIBUNA reports.

“For a small country like Moldova, digitalization is a competitive necessity. We cannot compete based on the size of our domestic market. We must compete through speed, simplicity, and ease of doing business,” the Prime Minister stated.

Referring to the recent cyberattack on government infrastructure, the Prime Minister highlighted the need for more effective protection mechanisms, including the use of artificial intelligence and expanded international cooperation.

At the same time, the head of government supports accelerating the digitalization of public services and simplifying procedures for entrepreneurs so that the Republic of Moldova can become a regional hub for trade, investment, and innovation, facilitating companies’ access to the European market.

“Moldova is open for business and ready to test innovative digital solutions in line with European standards. We must protect what we are building, but we must not stop building,” Prime Minister Tofan added.

Also attending the event, President Maia Sandu emphasized the importance of developing secure and reliable connections that strengthen Moldova’s integration into the European space and create new economic opportunities.

“Moldova is a country that knows the cost of isolation and has chosen connectivity, Europe, and peace,” the head of state declared.

For her part, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos highlighted the importance of investing in secure digital connectivity and strengthening regional cooperation.

During the meeting, 10 declarations of intent were signed with partner countries, European companies, and international financial institutions, aimed at developing digital infrastructure, including satellite connectivity, as well as strengthening research and innovation.

Two major initiatives were announced for the Republic of Moldova.

The first involves launching a call for participation in the WiFi4Moldova programme, funded by the European Union with €1 million. The initiative will establish free and secure Wi-Fi access points in at least 30 localities, with a particular focus on underserved communities.

The second initiative concerns preparations for a project to develop a secure, resilient, and sustainable data center in the Republic of Moldova, with the support of the European Commission and Swedfund, Sweden’s development finance institution.

The data center is expected to contribute to the security and continuity of digital public services, the development of cloud storage and artificial intelligence capabilities, Moldova’s integration into the European digital ecosystem, and the strengthening of regional digital resilience.

“We want Moldovans to see and feel more of Europe, even before full accession,” European Commissioner Marta Kos stated.

The Digital Connectivity Platform brings together officials from the European Union, the Black Sea region, the South Caucasus, Türkiye, and Central Asia, as well as representatives of the business community and international financial institutions.

Over the two days, participants are discussing cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and opportunities for investment and regional cooperation. The agenda also includes business-focused sessions aimed at identifying new opportunities for collaboration and developing regional partnerships.