Invest Moldova Agency, in partnership with the Foreign Investors Association, has launched Study 4.0: The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on the Economy of the Republic of Moldova, presenting the latest data and key findings on the role of foreign capital in the country’s economic competitiveness and its path towards European integration.
The study examines global trends in foreign direct investments, as well as FDI dynamics in the Republic of Moldova, against an international backdrop marked by economic instability, geopolitical fragmentation, and increasing pressure on global value chains.
At the global level, FDI flows have recorded a second consecutive year of decline. However, developments in the Republic of Moldova in 2024 point to increased resilience and stability. Despite the challenging international context, the national economy registered a net FDI inflow of USD 458.4 million, while the total FDI stock remained at a solid level of USD 5.471 billion. This performance was driven primarily by existing investors' reinvestment of profits, reflecting their confidence in the local market's prospects and the country’s medium-term growth potential. At the same time, the relatively lower level of newly attracted capital highlights the opportunity to intensify efforts to attract new high-value-added investment projects.
The European Union remains the Republic of Moldova’s main investment partner. In 2024, 86% of equity holdings and shares with foreign capital originated from the European area, confirming the country’s strategic orientation towards the EU market and its integration into European value chains.
The economic impact of FDI is substantial. Although foreign-owned companies represent only 5.7% of all enterprises in the Republic of Moldova, they account for 13.7% of total employment and generate 23.2% of national turnover. Moreover, productivity in FDI companies is approximately 74% higher than in domestic private firms, while the average monthly salary offered is approximately 93% higher.
The study’s conclusions highlight the need for a coherent package of public policies to stimulate productive investment, focusing on increasing the predictability of the business environment, developing infrastructure, reducing perceived investor risks, and supporting high-value-added projects.
Study 4.0 confirms that foreign direct investment remains a key pillar for the Republic of Moldova’s economic convergence, competitiveness growth, and the strengthening of its positioning on the European market.The study was prepared by Business Intelligence Services at the initiative of the Invest Moldova Agency and the Foreign Investors Association and is available in digital format here.