The Power of We: OPTIM partners strengthen collaboration to expand economic opportunities in Moldova

Moldova’s European integration and closer trade relations with EFTA countries create opportunities for businesses while placing greater demands on their competitiveness. To succeed, companies need to meet market requirements, respond to buyers’ expectations and build reliable commercial relationships. Business associations and other support organisations play an important role in this process, adapting their services to help firms prepare for new markets and grow.

Held under the theme “The Power of We: Connecting Ideas, Creating Impact,” OPTIM Partners’ Day 2026 gave partners an opportunity to reflect on progress, share lessons and identify priorities for future cooperation. Discussions centred on the challenges organisations face, the support they need and the expertise they can offer one another.

Funded by Switzerland, OPTIM works with a network of more than 40 partners spanning the private sector, public institutions, academia and research. This network provides a platform for organisations to connect, exchange knowledge and develop joint initiatives, without necessarily relying on OPTIM’s direct participation or financial support.

“Today, we celebrate OPTIM’s partners. These partnerships are one of the main measures of our success. We work with and through our partners to address the barriers preventing Moldova’s economy from reaching its full potential,” said Bojan Kolundzija, Country Manager of Helvetas in Moldova. “Despite difficult circumstances, we have seen strong results: new technologies, new services and stronger business associations. I am happy to be here today to listen to our partners and work with them on solutions for tomorrow.”

“With Swiss support, private sector development constraints are addressed along value chains in the selected sectors of ICT and Agri-food – in a facilitative way – to allow improved performance and productivity. Markets are stimulated to influence private sector growth and enhanced employment. In line with the Market Systems Development approach, the Optim project takes a facilitative approach and works from bottom up with market actors to enable them to perform their functions better. Intended changes are at systemic level. They will sustainably benefit large numbers of people over the long term,” said Richard Kohli, Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Moldova.

The programme combined reflection on achievements with practical group work. During the “Connecting the Dots” and “Building Bridges” sessions, participants explored how shared priorities and complementary strengths could lead to joint initiatives. Partners were encouraged to use the connections established through OPTIM to develop cooperation among themselves, drawing on their own expertise, resources and networks. The emphasis was on practical solutions and next steps shaped and led by the partners themselves.

The closing discussion looked at immediate needs and longer-term priorities, including how partners can continue to support one another as circumstances change. It also considered how stronger business support organisations can help companies adapt and pursue opportunities in EU, Swiss and other international markets.

For Helvetas and OPTIM, Partners’ Day is an opportunity to build trust, strengthen connections and encourage cooperation that can continue beyond the project. The aim is to help turn Moldova’s expanding trade relationships into stronger businesses, better access to markets and wider economic opportunities for Moldovan people.

The OPTIM project is implemented by Helvetas with the support of Switzerland.