The Republic of Moldova is increasingly strengthening its position on the global IT industry map, demonstrating significant potential in exporting services to international markets, particularly to clients in the European Union. In 2024, service exports accounted for 43.2% of total exports, representing a nearly fourfold increase in just four years. At the same time, over 88% of IT services produced in Moldova are oriented toward export.
Today, the skills of Moldovan specialists are leveraged worldwide, thanks to companies that invest in local development and connect domestic talent to global projects.
One notable success story is Stefanini Moldova, a subsidiary of the international Stefanini Group, a Brazilian-origin company with over 37 years of experience in information technology and a presence in 41 countries. From the heart of Chișinău, the Stefanini Moldova team delivers IT support services and software development for various sectors, including e-commerce, healthcare, telecommunications, and automotive, while collaborating with top global brands. Founded in 2016 with just 10 employees, the company now employs around 500 Moldovan professionals — a clear testament to the potential and competitiveness of Moldova’s IT industry.
“The company was founded in 2016, when the Stefanini Group decided to invest in a new location to provide services for various clients across Europe. The Republic of Moldova proved attractive primarily due to its geographic position, as well as its well-trained workforce with a good level of English proficiency, which integrates easily into the teams and structures of our European clients. In addition, competitive costs represented an extra advantage,” stated Ion Gîrleanu, Country Manager of Stefanini Moldova.
Global Brands, Solutions Created in the Republic of Moldova
Although the services provided by Stefanini Moldova employees are not intended for the local market, we can take pride in the fact that the work and talent of our specialists are embedded in projects of internationally renowned brands. Wherever you are in the world, when you purchase a product from H&M stores, for example, you may unknowingly be using software developed here, in the Republic of Moldova. The same applies to Auchan or Mazda, companies that are Stefanini clients and benefit from IT solutions created by teams in our country.
“The local client market is small. Local companies do not have the budget to invest in product creation and mostly limit themselves to purchasing licenses and implementing products developed elsewhere. Therefore, for an IT company in Moldova, it is far more перспективă to focus on delivering services to external clients or creating products intended for foreign markets. In my view, the Republic of Moldova has significant advantages compared to other regions of the world, such as India, Mexico, or Brazil, where resources are cheaper. Our advantages here in Moldova are proximity to the end client and, most importantly, cultural similarity. A person from the Republic of Moldova will integrate much more easily with a client from France or Germany than someone from India or Brazil,” emphasized Ion Gîrleanu.
The company offers flexibility to its employees: they can work from home, but also have the opportunity to transfer and collaborate in various countries, without geographical limits.
“We have had Stefanini employees from Moldova who were transferred to Sweden and Romania and later returned. We support these changes and transitions so that people have the opportunity to develop, gain new experience, and then return to the country, bringing with them the knowledge they acquired and thus contributing to the company’s growth,” stated the Country Manager of Stefanini Moldova.
Additionally, for a foreign company such as Stefanini, an important pillar is the government initiative IT Park, which provides a clear and simplified fiscal framework for IT companies. Taxes are fixed and transparent, allowing companies to plan their costs and investments more easily. Thanks to this favorable ecosystem, companies like Stefanini Moldova can continue to grow and contribute to the development of the local IT industry.
This material is part of the campaign “From Moldova. To the Whole World” — an initiative of Invest Moldova Agency dedicated to promoting local producers on international markets.
