{"id":18754,"date":"2024-04-17T10:12:33","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T10:12:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/?p=18754"},"modified":"2024-04-17T10:12:33","modified_gmt":"2024-04-17T10:12:33","slug":"europes-first-e-park-is-at-the-heart-of-moldovas-emergence-as-an-it-powerhouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/?p=18754","title":{"rendered":"Europe\u2019s first e-park is at the heart of Moldova\u2019s emergence as an IT powerhouse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>A major new study offers a complete guide to navigating Moldova\u2019s IT sector, and the advantages offered by its unique IT park\u2014a key feature in the country\u2019s development as a booming IT hub.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With few natural resources and perhaps best known internationally for its outstanding wine, Moldova\u2019s future development will depend on the further growth of its knowledge economy, a major new study from Emerging Europe has found.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fortunately, the study, <a href=\"http:\/\/emerging-europe.hs-sites.com\/it-investment-guide-moldova-2024\">IT Investment Guide for Moldova 2024<\/a>, reveals that the government in Chi\u0219in\u0103u is aware of this and has in recent years implemented measures to foster the growth of its IT sector and advance the use of digital technologies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/news\/economy-in-focus-moldova\/\">Economy in focus: Moldova<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/voices\/moldova-must-bolster-its-electoral-integrity-ahead-of-this-years-presidential-election\/\">Moldova must bolster its electoral integrity ahead of this year\u2019s presidential election<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/news\/studying-in-a-phantom-state-the-moldovan-school-standing-up-to-russian-supremacy\/\">Studying in a phantom state: The Moldovan school standing up to Russian supremacy<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>This effort has put the country at the forefront of digital transformation in government services, while boosting its reputation as an IT and technology hub, and the creation of the Moldova IT Park (MITP), Europe\u2019s first e-park, is a key part of this effort.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMoldova presents innovative opportunities for both investors and individuals seeking a growing tech environment and a place to call home,\u201d says Moldova\u2019s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalisation Dumitru Alaiba.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Almost five per cent of the workforce is now employed in the IT or IT-adjacent sector (more than 35,000 people), a figure set to grow substantially in the coming years. Among other countries in the emerging Europe region, only Estonia employs more in IT. More than 21,000 people are employed by firms operating in the MITP, an initiative whose success recently saw its lifespan extended until at least 2035.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe extension underscores our commitment to attracting investment,\u201d adds Alaiba. \u201cWith streamlined services, an open labour market and valuable talent we want to make sure we&#8217;ve got the right people with the right skills, and to make sure tech&#8217;s a win for everyone.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Innovation and entrepreneurship&nbsp;<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Operational since 2018, MITP offers its residents\u2014who can be located anywhere in Moldova\u2014a flat tax rate of seven per cent, paid on sales. No other taxes are levied on resident firms or their employees\u2014who can be brought in from just about anywhere in the world thanks to Moldova\u2019s IT visa.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Residents include the largest IT firms in the country, such as Endava and Orange Systems, whose CEO Sergiu Placinta says that joining MITP, \u201cstrengthened our position on the IT services market\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another resident, Emil Chichioi, founder and CEO of Bloomcoding, cays that when it comes to investment, \u201cone million euros [invested] in the MITP goes as far as 3.5 million euros elsewhere in Europe.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Now accounting for around 80 per cent of the Moldovan IT sector and some five per cent of Moldovan exports, MITP is defined by a vibrant spirit of innovation and collaboration,\u201d says Natalia Don\u021bu, the park\u2019s administrator.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFrom growing start-ups to established industry leaders, MITP serves as a dynamic hub for talent and business opportunities,\u201d she says.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MITP\u2019s success means that in 2022 Moldova had the highest ICT services growth rates among neighbouring countries and regional competitors (Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). Good infrastructure has helped\u2014the average internet speed in Moldova is higher than in some more developed countries (such as Germany, Switzerland or Estonia)\u2014while the UN E-Government Development Index ranks Moldova as one of the world\u2019s most proficient purveyors of digital public services.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moldova\u2019s digital transformation reached a milestone in September 2023 with the official endorsement of the country\u2019s Digital Transformation Strategy for 2023-2030. It sets out an ambitious goal: to become an innovative, all-encompassing digital society with modern infrastructure, digitally literate citizens, a pro-digital administration, a thriving digital business community, and a collaborative environment fostering innovation and sustainable human development.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;[The strategy] prioritises the interests of our citizens, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, and attracting foreign investment,\u201d says Dumitru Alaiba.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Developing a value proposition&nbsp;<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Future foreign investors and partners appear ready to take Alaiba at his word. As part of its research for the study, Emerging Europe surveyed almost 1,000 C-level executives from seven markets\u2014the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Sweden, Poland and Romania, and ran 20 in-depth interviews with IT and outsourcing professionals from across the globe. Its main objective was to understand the current perception of Moldova\u2019s IT and raise awareness about its potential and capabilities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More than half of all respondents expressed an eagerness to consider hiring or outsourcing IT services from Moldovan companies, citing the perceived quality of IT services in Moldova as a primary reason, followed by cost-effectiveness, and Moldova&#8217;s EU candidacy status.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An availability of skilled talent, compliance with data privacy regulations, and proficiency in English were also identified as significant factors.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMoldova has been one of those countries that has really fascinated me for quite some time,\u201d says Peter Ryan, president and principal analyst at Ryan Strategic Advisory. \u201cGiven the heritage of the country, and quite frankly, the very strong levels of IT skills that you can find on the ground, I\u2019ve always thought it could be a potential hub for certain types of IT services.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nevertheless, the Emerging Europe study suggests that more work still needs to be done to promote awareness about Moldova\u2019s IT sector and the potential it offers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c[Moldova] needs to ensure that it clearly identifies and articulates its value proposition to make it stand out,\u201d says Mark Angus, CEO at Genesis Global Business Services.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Olga Surugiu, CEO at Orange Moldova and vice president of the Moldovan Association of ICT Companies agrees.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe need a value proposition that sets us apart,\u201d she says. \u201cWe must integrate in a broader context to distinguish ourselves as a country of 2.5 million people, situated between East and West, possessing the potential to make a transformative impact.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Download a copy of IT Investment Guide for Moldova 2024 <a href=\"http:\/\/emerging-europe.hs-sites.com\/it-investment-guide-moldova-2024\">here<\/a>.<\/em> <em>Photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@israelandrxde?utm_content=creditCopyText&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=unsplash\">Israel Andrade<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/people-sitting-on-chair-in-front-of-computer-YI_9SivVt_s?utm_content=creditCopyText&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=unsplash\">Unsplash<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Unlike many news and information platforms,&nbsp;<em>Emerging Europe<\/em>&nbsp;is free to read, and always will be.&nbsp;There is no paywall here.&nbsp;We are independent,&nbsp;not affiliated with nor representing any political party or business&nbsp;organisation.&nbsp;We want the very best for emerging Europe, nothing more, nothing less. Your support will help us continue to spread the word about this amazing region.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You can contribute&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/emergingeurope.krtra.com\/t\/NlQnFuOA2C9c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>. Thank you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/emergingeurope.krtra.com\/t\/NlQnFuOA2C9c\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/copy-of-add-a-heading.png\" alt=\"emerging europe support independent journalism\" class=\"wp-image-50811\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A major new study offers a complete guide to navigating Moldova\u2019s IT sector, and the advantages offered by its unique IT park\u2014a key feature in the<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18755,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[7174,7173,6320,7178,7176,348,7177,7175,7179,61],"class_list":["post-18754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-analysis","tag-dumitru-alaiba","tag-endava","tag-featured","tag-it-moldova","tag-mitp","tag-moldova","tag-moldova-information-technology-park","tag-moldova-it-sector","tag-orange-moldova","tag-technology-innovation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18754","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18754"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18754\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/18755"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18754"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18754"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}