The European Union remains the largest investor in Moldova, accounting for 86% of total foreign direct investment in the country
This is according to the 4th edition of the Foreign Investors Association (FIA) of Moldova's study on the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on the Moldovan economy. The study was presented at the Economic Council under the Prime Minister's Office as part of Working Group No. 3, "Attracting and Retaining Private Investment," chaired by FIA Executive Director Ana Groza. The document provides an updated analysis of FDI's contribution to competitiveness, productivity, and economic convergence in an international context characterized by declining investment flows and economic instability. The study includes updated data and conclusions relevant to the competitiveness and European integration agenda. According to the data presented, FDI inflows globally have declined for the second consecutive year. Europe has seen a sharp decline amid uncertainty and economic fragmentation. In Moldova, FDI growth is supported primarily by reinvested profits, while new capital inflows remain low. This reflects the confidence of existing investors, as well as the need to accelerate the attraction of new projects. The EU is the main investment partner: in 2024, 86% of foreign participation and equity came from the European Union. Companies with FDI account for 5.7% of all enterprises and 13.7% of employment, but generate 23.2% of sales revenue. Their productivity is approximately 74% higher, and the average monthly salary is approximately 93% higher than in local private companies.In Moldova, FDI companies typically demonstrate stable financial performance in the manufacturing, telecommunications, financial services, and retail sectors. High profitability makes local reinvestment attractive, including in capacity expansion, equipment modernization, and product portfolio diversification. Reforms aimed at digitalization, reducing bureaucracy, simplifying tax procedures, and improving business support infrastructure have created a more favorable operating and expanding environment for foreign companies. These improvements reduce regulatory compliance costs and increase the attractiveness of reinvestment. As reported by the Investment Agency, Study 4.0. "The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on the Moldovan Economy" was developed in partnership with the FIA and contains the latest data and findings on the role of foreign capital in the country's economic competitiveness and European integration path. The document confirms that FDI remains a vital pillar of Moldova's economic convergence, enhancing competitiveness and strengthening the country's position in the European market, but also emphasizes the need for consistent policies to stimulate productive investment and attract new high-value-added projects. The study's results confirm the need for a coordinated package of measures for productive investment: regulatory predictability and stability, modern infrastructure, mitigation of perceived risks, and support for high-value-added projects. The study was developed by Business Intelligence Services at the initiative of the Investment Agency and the Foreign Investors Association of Moldova. As previously reported by InfoMarket, the 4th edition of the study on the impact of foreign direct investment on the economy of Moldova, presented by the Foreign Investors Association, states that over the past 10 years, the largest net FDI inflow to Moldova occurred in 2022, amounting to $586.02 million. The study notes that in 2015-2024, Net FDI inflows to Moldova have shown highly volatile dynamics, driven by economic crises and the effects of the pandemic, as well as regional instability and changes in investor strategies. The lowest level of net FDI inflows occurred in 2016 - $87.44 million, while in 2022 there was a historical record of net FDI inflows - $586.02 million. Over the past three years, the dynamics of flows have stabilized, remaining at levels above the average for the past decade. Over the past four years, profit reinvestment has become the main driver of FDI in Moldova, consistently outperforming new equity investments and intra-group loans. The European Union remains the main supplier of capital, increasing its volume in 2024, compared to 2023, by 3% - to $3 billion 091.38 million, which accounts for 86% of total foreign direct investment. // 16.02.2026 — InfoMarket
