Balti

Municipality of Balti is located in the northern part of the Republic of Moldova, approximately 121 km from Chisinau. As the second-largest urban center in the country by both size and population, Balti plays a strategic role in Moldova’s economic and logistics network. The city has a population of 89 357 and an average gross monthly salary of 10 080 MDL.

International market access is supported by the city’s proximity to major customs checkpoints and a well-developed road infrastructure. Balti is located just 62 km from the Leuseni–Albita border crossing, one of the main gateways to the European Union. The road distance to the Giurgiulesti International Free Port is approximately 328 km, and 331 km to the Port of Odesa, ensuring efficient access to key export-import corridors.

The local economy is diverse and rapidly expanding, with strong emphasis on manufacturing, innovation, and technology development. Key sectors include the automotive industry, food processing, IT, and light manufacturing. This economic activity is supported by the city’s modern infrastructure, including the Balti Free Economic Zone and the Raut Industrial Park, both of which offer attractive conditions for industrial investment and development. In addition, the Tekwill Balti hub, hosted by the Nortek Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer, actively supports digitization, IT skill development, and startup incubation in the region.

Balti is home to nationally and internationally recognized companies. Among them are Draexlmaier Automotive and Gebauer & Griller, both key players in the automotive sector, producing components for renowned brands such as Volkswagen, BMW, and Audi. Other leading enterprises include Incomlac JSC, a producer of over 100 types of dairy products; Knauf, the largest branded producer of construction materials in Moldova; and Floarea Soarelui JSC, one of the country’s top vegetable oil producers.