Overview of the ICT sector in Moldova

Download a more detailed report on the national ICT sector elaborated by the EECA Cluster here.

Moldova has a dynamic economy with an average annual GDP growth rate of 6.0% from 2001 to 2008. Services, including ICT, and advanced industries have rapidly been replacing traditional industries, like agriculture and wine, as the foundations of the national economy. ICT accounts for 9.5% of GDP (2008) and employs 3.2% of the labour force. Exports of IT products and services are on the rise, having doubled each year since 2006. The number of ICT firms has grown by 30% during the past two years. Per December 31, 2008 the number of companies that provide electronic communications and information technology networks and services and registered by the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology was 1209.

In addition, several international IT firms have located their operations in Moldova and due to their early success they are expanding quickly.

The ICT Governance System in the Republic of Moldova is represented by Ministry of Information Technologies and Communication and National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology.

ICT R&D sector is represented by research organizations and universities. All R&D national projects, inclusive in ICT area are carried out through competition, organized by the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. Actually the R&D activity in Moldova is regulated by the Law - Code on Science and Innovations, adopted by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova in 2004.

The existing telecommunication and infrastructure are meeting business needs and are especially highly developed in urban areas. Moreover, the Government of Moldova is committed to the ICT sector's continued development; special tax incentives have been introduced for IT companies, flattening social tax burden associated with programmers' wages. Additionally, Moldova is making progress on its political and economic alignment with the EU. For instance, Moldova's laws on electronic communications are closely aligned with relevant EU directives.

EECA Cluster contact point in Moldova