VIDEO | The Republic of Moldova could become a logistics center for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Europuls expert explains the economic opportunities and obstacles to large investments

The Republic of Moldova could become an important logistics center for the reconstruction of Ukraine, especially for the transportation of goods and the development of regional infrastructure. Europuls expert Corneliu Coteț believes that investments in highways and other infrastructure projects could contribute to transforming the country into a transit point for companies involved in the reconstruction of the neighboring state. However, the expert warns that the implementation of these projects will be difficult due to the lack of specialists and companies capable of carrying out such large-scale works.

"I think that energy-related projects, primarily the efficiency of buildings, the renovation of schools, the high-voltage lines that will be built next to the one from Vulcănești to Chișinău, I think that these are the ones that will have the greatest impact in the short and medium term, because they can be done in stages and, in the end, we are talking about a direct effect on the energy sector and the energy efficiency of public buildings, schools and so on. But why not roads, in the end? Because there we have, for example, the A8 highway listed. It would be a magnificent effect for the Republic of Moldova. Both for society, but especially for the economic field, it will be a big plus when this highway materializes. But, again, we have a four-year deadline for 125 kilometers of highway, something that we have never done before. I think it is a very big ambition and I am very curious to see how all these projects will be managed within the Moldova Project, because at the moment we do not have clarity on who will constitute this Moldova Project, who are the specialists, the people, where will they be from?, Coteț declared on the "In Context" show on Moldova 1.

In his opinion, the authorities will have to attract international expertise and foreign companies, which could extend the period required for the preparation and execution of the works.

"If so far we have not managed to do these things with the resources we have, even if we consolidate the forces we have at the moment, we still do not have the necessary team to create these projects head-to-toe. So, throughout this exercise and in the next year, I suppose, or in the coming months, we will have to see a massive effort to attract this expertise and experience. And, returning to what you mentioned earlier, with Moldova becoming a construction site throughout the country, we will also encounter difficulties there, because, after all, the builders and, in general, the businesses that can execute such projects. They are not present on the market in the Republic of Moldova, so we will have to recruit internationally, with international tenders. That also means a lot of time there, because these companies have to move their resources to our country, they have to look for personnel and so on. So it is somehow a massive effort that Prime Minister Tofan is assuming," Coteț emphasized.

The expert added that the development of transport networks could create important economic opportunities, especially after the end of the war in Ukraine. "We hope to see the end of the war in Ukraine as soon as possible. Moldova will have to be a major player in the reconstruction of Ukraine, especially in terms of transit of goods", the expert concluded.

The Government presented on Thursday, October 29, the "Construim Moldova" program, which includes 19 strategic investment projects in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education and health. These include the construction of the Ungheni-Chisinau highway, the modernization of roads and electrical networks, the expansion of the Chisinau airport and the construction of the Balti Regional Hospital. The projects will benefit from financial support from the European Union, including through the 1,9 billion euro Growth Plan. According to the Government, the investments are in various stages of preparation and implementation, and citizens will be able to follow the progress and possible delays on the "Construim Moldova" online platform.