With a team of over 80 consultants operating across 12 cities in Romania, REI Grup has successfully secured non-reimbursable financing for more than 2,500 companies and local authorities, managing investment projects valued at over €1 billion.
REI’s strategic expansion follows in the footsteps of the National Union of Romanian Employers (UNPR). The prominent business organization, representing over 1,250 members, has also recently established a new branch in Chisinau to bolster cross-border economic ties. REI’s initiatives began in the second half of last year, and as of January, the company has also initiated the formal procedures for corporate registration, alongside the recruitment of new colleagues and experts in non-reimbursable funding.
A member of the UNPR since 2023, REI Grup has been a key driver in supporting the organization’s members through non-reimbursable financing. Under the leadership of Managing Partner Roxana Mircea, the team has actively contributed to the growth and development of numerous companies within the union.
In January 2026, a delegation of 10 Romanian companies—spanning sectors such as consultancy, IT/Software, logistics, and professional training—held a series of high-level meetings with ministers and secretaries of state in Moldova to define the collaborative framework for the coming years.
These discussions were catalyzed by Moldova’s milestone achievement in 2022, when it was officially granted EU candidate status. With accession negotiations currently underway, the country is strategically working toward a target integration goal for 2030.
“We have decided to expand our presence into the Republic of Moldova, bringing with us the expertise gained over 15 years in business consultancy and non-reimbursable funding. Following our discussions in Chisinau with specialists from key governmental sectors, it became clear that we must support our neighbors’ path toward European integration. The opportunities we see on the horizon give us great cause for optimism. A dedicated REI office in Chisinau will allow us to better understand and serve the specific needs of local companies and public authorities,” stated Roxana Mircea, Managing Partner of REI Grup.
Billions of Euros in Investment and Development Funding Allocated to the Republic of Moldova
In a concerted effort involving support from Romania , the European Parliament, and fellow EU Member States, authorities in Chisinau have prepared a multi-billion-euro financial package aimed at fueling investment and economic development.
Among the most significant funding programs identified by REI Grup are:
1. Strategic Support for Large-Scale Investors: New Incentives for Projects Exceeding €10 Million in Moldova
Large corporations planning investments of at least €10 million in the Republic of Moldova must submit a Call for Expressions of Interest (under the EFSD+ / EU Investments in Moldova framework) no later than March.
Objective
This initiative supports medium and large-scale investments made by companies from the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA), and the Republic of Moldova. Targeted projects must demonstrate a significant economic, social, and environmental impact by:
• Stimulating the economic development of the Republic of Moldova;
• Facilitating the transfer of know-how, modern technologies, and best practices;
• Generating jobs and fostering integration into regional value chains;
• Supporting the green and digital transition;
• Aligning investments with the Moldova Growth Plan and European Union policies.
Budget and Funding Sources
Funding is provided through the EFSD+ (European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus). Unlike traditional non-reimbursable grants, this support consists of specialized financial instruments, including:
• Loan guarantees;
• Equity and quasi-equity financing;
• Facilitated access to co-financing through international financial institutions (IFIs).
The budget is allocated at the EFSD+ portfolio level, with no fixed ceiling per individual call.
Eligible Investment Sectors
• Agriculture, Agri-food, and Rural Development;
• Health and Life Sciences;
• Energy and the Green Transition;
• Infrastructure and Connectivity;
• IT, Digitalization, and Applied Research;
• Advanced Manufacturing and Industrialization.
Eligible Beneficiaries
• Companies registered in EU Member States, the EEA, or the Republic of Moldova;
• Individual investors, consortia, or strategic partnerships;
• Entities capable of demonstrating solid financial capacity and relevant industry experience.
Key Conditions
• Minimum Project Value: €10 million;
• Minimum Own Contribution: 15%;
• Sub-threshold Projects: Investments below the €10 million mark may only be submitted through consortia or strategic partnerships.
Selection Process
The evaluation is highly competitive and conducted in two stages via the EU Survey platform. Final funding remains subject to rigorous financial and risk assessments.
2. Regional State Aid Scheme: €100 Million Dedicated to the Manufacturing Industry
Another significant funding source is the Regional State Aid Scheme for Investments, backed by a total financial package of €100 million . Under this measure, companies in the manufacturing sector investing in Moldova can benefit from a hybrid support model. This includes income tax exemptions (covering 75% of the aid) or direct grants (covering 25% of the aid), with the total support capped at 60% of the overall investment value.
The total estimated budget for this scheme is approximately €100 million, with individual applicants eligible for up to 10 million Moldovan Lei (MDL).
According to REI Grup estimates, approximately 200 enterprises are expected to benefit from this state aid initiative.
Eligible sectors include a wide range of manufacturing activities, such as: food processing and milling; textiles and apparel; leather tanning and finishing; wood processing; paper and paper products; coke and refined petroleum products; chemicals and pharmaceutical manufacturing; rubber and plastic products; metal structures and fabricated metal products; computers, electronic, and optical products; machinery and equipment; furniture manufacturing, and many others.
3. Supporting Job Creation, Education, and Social Inclusion through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)
As of 2024, the Republic of Moldova has become an associated country of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) , specifically participating in the Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) strand. This partnership enables Moldovan organizations to access dedicated funding and collaborate on large-scale European projects.
The ESF+ represents the European Union’s primary instrument for investing in people, focusing on employment support, education, and social inclusion.
The EaSI component, which Moldova has now officially joined, specifically targets the modernization of employment and social policies.
In addition to these EU-wide programs, the Republic of Moldova will continue to receive non-reimbursable grants from Romania, other EU Member States, and the European Parliament to support its development goals.
Early last year, the European Parliament and EU Member States reached a provisional agreement to increase the support budget for the Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova by €100 million. Following this decision, authorities in Chisinau announced that Moldova is set to receive over €500 million in grants and an additional €1.5 billion in low-interest loans dedicated to development projects.
The Reform and Growth Facility serves as a key financial instrument for the country’s economic advancement. The plan envisions support for approximately 25,000 enterprises and the financing of critical infrastructure projects, such as the Chisinau bypass road, new bridges over the Prut River, and energy interconnection with the EU through the completion of strategic power lines.
Funding for smaller-scale projects is managed through the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA) .
Furthermore, Moldova will gain enhanced access to Single Market benefits, including the free movement of goods, improved trade and transport links, integration into the EU’s energy and digital markets, and access to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA).
The Republic of Moldova: A More Flexible and Competitive Fiscal Regime than Romania
The fiscal regime implemented by the Government in Chisinau is more competitive than Romania’s, significantly enhancing Moldova’s appeal to European companies—and particularly Romanian firms—seeking new growth opportunities across the Prut River.
Corporate Income Tax (CIT) is set at a standard rate of 12%, matching the 12% rate for personal income tax. For legal entities, this rate can be even lower depending on the sector: 7% for farmers, 6% for residents of Free Economic Zones, and 3% for residents of the Giurgiulești International Free Port.
Additionally, companies under a specific turnover threshold that are not registered for VAT can opt for a 4% tax on revenue instead of the 12% profit tax.
The Moldova IT Park remains one of the most attractive incentives, where resident companies pay a single tax of 7% on turnover. This unique tax replaces most traditional taxes (including profit tax and social security contributions), positioning Moldova’s IT sector as a highly competitive alternative to other European markets, including Romania.
The standard Value Added Tax (VAT) rate is 20%, with reduced rates of 8% or even 0% for specific goods and services (e.g., exports are 0% rated). As of 2026, the mandatory VAT registration threshold is set at a turnover of 1.5 million MDL (approximately RON 380,000) over a 12-month period.