Adjournment - MACRO Annual International Conference 2022

Event organized in partnership by the Government of Moldova, the Independent Think-Tank Expert-Grup and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung with the support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in the Republic of Moldova

MACRO: What is it about?

“MACRO” stands for “Moldova: Assessing Country Risks and Opportunities.” MACRO has been conceived as an annual event bringing together domestic and international policy experts and thinkers with the key purpose of discussing and advancing innovative ideas to support the Republic of Moldova on its path of economic development and modernization. The annual Conference offers a high-level intellectual platform to discuss the global factors and trends that may influence how the Republic of Moldova can be transformed into an attractive  destination for international investments and into a hub for new ideas and advanced technologies, as well as to assess  risks that need to be alleviated in order to turn the country into a better market for capital and labor and to identify the opportunities that need to be harnessed so as to foster Moldova’s economic development and competitiveness.

Context

After the Presidential election in 2020 and the Parliamentary election in 2021, the Republic of Moldova underwent a major political change, resulting in a new Government backed up by a hitherto unprecedented popular mandate as well as support from international development partners for its comprehensive reform-oriented, pro-European agenda and strong stance on anti-corruption. However, the process of using the political momentum in order to produce systemic economic and social improvements was challenged by a series of negative shocks, mainly the worsening of the pandemic crisis, and the emergence of the energy crisis and high levels of global inflation. In addition to these exogenous shocks, the new government has to face a series of endogenous constraints related to the weak capacity of the public administration, including systemic inertia and even resistance to reforms, coupled by a dearth of highly-qualified human resources.
While crisis management and the restoration of the rule of law are essential in order to maintain social and economic stability, there is also a legitimate expectation of Moldovan society that the country needs a holistic vision for the future and “positive priorities” addressing the daily needs of the people, enhancing their wellbeing in the short to medium-term, and also encouraging them to feel part of the transformational journey the country is embarking upon.
To address this expectation, the Government initiated a comprehensive strategic planning process of reviewing, updating and streamlining the National Development Strategy “Moldova 2030”. The NDS is expected to incorporate in a coherent and programmatic manner country’s strategic priorities, and core of structural reforms meant to bring about sustainable, long-term systemic changes. Naturally, this process is to be embedded in the current global economic, social and security context. 

Goal

This international conference aims to discuss the global trends that will shape the future of the global environment, and reflect on the impact thereof on a new economic growth model for the Republic of Moldova. Together with domestic and international decision-makers and experts, the development priorities of the country that can ensure sustainable economic growth will be analysed. The conference will also represent an avenue to debate the vision proposed by the Government on future investments and reforms. The event will thus contribute to increasing predictability on major investments and to driving support for the improvement of the overall capacity of Moldovan society to maximize the momentum for lasting change.

Objectives

The event has 3 key objectives:

1. Discuss future trends at the global, regional and domestic levels, and define their implications for the Republic of Moldova, including risks and opportunities.
2. Discuss the long-term development vision and priorities for the Republic of Moldova up to the year 2030, based on the Strategy “Moldova 2030” National Development Strategy.
3. Raise awareness among relevant domestic and international stakeholders, regarding the development priorities and thus generating a framework for then alignment of private, public and donor investment priorities.

Target Audience

• Moldovan and foreign private sector representatives
• Social partners: Trade unions, employers’ associations
• Moldovan NGOs and academia;
• Mass media;
• Donor community/embassies/IFIs;
• Foreign experts and international academia.