Press releases
ODIMM, USAID and the Swedish government joined efforts to connect Moldovan businesses to the digital age
The Organisation for the Development of the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Sector (ODIMM) and the Future Technologies Project, funded by USAID and the Government of Sweden, have today signed a Partnership Agreement to support the digitalisation of the business environment in the Republic of Moldova.
The Partnership Agreement sets out the commitment to support the modernisation and competitiveness of SMEs, the digital transformation and the deployment of digital innovations in business activity in the Republic of Moldova.
This partnership aims to develop and implement support programmes for Moldovan SMEs to create innovative products and services in order to increase competitiveness, efficiency, sustainability and productivity on both the local and external market.
For the 2022-2026 period, partners aim to develop and implement two national programmes:
● Developing and implementing a Digital Transformation Programme for SMEs;
● Developing, launching and implementing a Programme to support digital innovations and technology start-ups.
In this regard, the two partners will join efforts to design the delivery mechanisms of entrepreneurial support programmes by adapting the needs of domestic companies to international standards and adjusting to the new digital era.
“Digital innovation is a key factor in transforming economic processes, jobs and society as a whole, helping to bridge the social and economic divide. We must stick to this international trend. In this regard, we want all the opportunities and possibilities that open up in a digital economy and society to be accessible and used by Moldovan citizens and businessmen. Moldova has all the resources needed to create a digital future at home”stated Minister for the Economy, Sergiu Gaibu.
“USAID is proud to provide over MDL 2 022 million of assistance in 5 to pilot ambitious programmes at national level, focusing on digitalisation, innovation and entrepreneurship, together with the Ministry of Economy and ODIMM. In a context of disrupted supply chains, rising energy costs, rising inflation and continued economic uncertainties, SMEs need – more than ever – to find ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency, productivity and sustainability. Investing in digital innovations and solutions in response to these challenges – such as supply chain management, e-commerce, automation and smart manufacturing, digital promotion and marketing and promotion to attract customers – will increase the resilience and competitiveness of Moldovan businesses, not only in the face of the current crisis, but also for the economy of the future”stated Scott Hocklander, Head of the USAID Mission to Moldova.
Dumitru Pîntea, ODIMM Acting Director:
“Moldovan SMEs need expertise and mentoring to be aware of the need to invest in digital and innovative technologies. This partnership will add value to the business environment in Moldova, help increase entrepreneurial culture, the level of digitalisation, technology transfer, know-how and, last but not least, the competitiveness of economic operators on local and international markets. By implementing the two ambitious initiatives in the field of digitalisation, we aim to connect the HMM sector with the innovation sector to ensure a synergy between supply and demand. I am convinced that together we will succeed in delivering tangible results.”
The Organisation for the Development of the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Sector (ODSME), a public institution with national coverage, operating under the coordination of the Ministry of Economy, is an initiative to support Moldovan SMEs at all stages of business development by harnessing their potential to become competitive, dynamic and sustainable. ODIMM administers 12 State business support programmesmost of them provide training-, financing- and mentoring in an integrated way. For the year 2022from the state budget are allocated more than RON 300 million for all business support mechanisms in the ODIMM portfolio.
The Future Technologies in Moldova project, funded by USAID and Sweden, supports the development of the digital, creative and environmentally friendly economy in Moldova. The project, with a budget of USD 32,8 mln and an implementation duration of 5 years (2021-2026), promotes, in team with key partners, innovation and new technologies in the following strategic sectors for Moldova – Information and Communication Technology (ICT), engineering, light industry, creative and digital media industries – to increase their competitiveness and integration in the global market.
Video footage of.eu: https://bit.ly/3xIwMNs
For further details, contact the Directorate for Communication and ODIMM RP:
{gallery}../18.04.22{/gallery}