A STABLE YET STRATEGIC MARKET FOR TURKISH INVESTORS: MOLDOVA

With the aim of strengthening bilateral trade, the Türkiye-Moldova Business Council is developing new cooperation models spanning from local to global

Showcasing peaceful streets, an unhurried pace of life, and a rich cultural background, Moldova is emerging as a noteworthy and promising country in the business landscape. The long-standing efforts of the Türkiye-Moldova Business Council deepen the economic dimension of the strong ties established with this small country. Meanwhile, observations stretching from the capital Chişinãu to rural villages, from traditions to tables, allow us to get to know Moldova much more closely. In this warm and insightful interview, Mr. Kılıçoğlu, Chairperson of DEİK/Türkiye-Moldova Business Council, offers more than just the perspective of a business leader; it’s a journey into the soul of a country.

HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERISE DAILY LIFE IN MOLDOVA? WHAT STOOD OUT MOST TO YOU IN THE STREETS, MARKETS, OR OTHER COMMUNITY SPACES?

When we talk about Moldova, the reference point is almost always the capital, Chişinãu. That’s because the gap between Chişinãu and other cities is quite wide. It often feels like Moldova revolves around a single urban centre. Chişinãu’s role as the capital gives it certain advantages. Although traffic in the city has become noticeably congested due to a rising number of vehicles in recent years, daily life still flows at a much slower pace than we are used to. People don’t seem to be in any great hurry; they carry an attitude like everything will sort itself out in time. Sadly, there has been significant migration from rural areas, especially in recent years.

Many villages exist only on the map; they have practically vanished. And in the cities, a large portion of educated, skilled individuals have already gone abroad. Those who remain often speak of leaving one day. Many view this as a form of “escape”. Nearly all young people in Moldova dream of living abroad. In such circumstances, it’s sadly not easy to look to the future with much hope. Yet despite these challenges, I’ve often found Moldovans to be happier in their daily lives than we are. They know how to have fun and enjoy themselves. While we tend to struggle with contentment, they manage to find joy even with very little. That’s one of the things that impressed me the most.

WHAT WAS THE MOST INTERESTING TRADITION OR CULTURAL ASPECT YOU ENCOUNTERED IN MOLDOVA? HOW DID THIS EXPERIENCE CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE OR UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE?

One tradition I’m especially fond of is Martisor, which is celebrated at the beginning of March. Martisor is a small ornament made from red and white thread, symbolising the arrival of spring. People exchange these tokens on March 1st and wear them pinned to their clothing until the end of the month. Another tradition that stood out takes place during Easter, when people greet one another in a distinctive way. To the greeting “Hristos a Înviat!” (Christ is risen!), the response is “Adevărat a înviat!” (He is truly risen!). This greeting is shared across many branches of the Christian faith. There’s also a fun and lively wedding custom in which the bride’s friends “kidnap” her and demand a ransom from the groom, a playful tradition adding humour and colour to the celebration. It’s almost like a game of hide-and-seek; eventually, the bride is returned, and the “ransom” is taken.

DO YOU HAVE A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE RELATED TO MOLDOVAN CUISINE? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE’S HOSPITALITY?

Some Moldovan dishes reminded me of flavours from Türkiye’s Black Sea region. Mãmãligã, for instance, brought back memories of a dish my grandmother used to cook when I was a child. It’s a cornmeal porridge typically served with cheese and sizzling oil. Sarmale (similar to stuffed grape leaves) and Placinte (a type of savoury pastry) are also among the most well-known traditional dishes. There’s also Zeama, a well-known chicken vermicelli soup. That said, not every dish aligned with our palate. During holidays, fish and seafood often take centre stage as these are considered status symbols in Moldovan cuisine. The most unusual, and to me, the most “bizarre” dish I’ve encountered is Halodets, which is chicken in aspic. The first time I saw it, I was stunned and, to be honest, had to leave the table in discomfort. Even now, I find it hard to look at.

The Moldovan people, in terms of character, are quite similar to our own. In both good and bad ways… They are extremely hospitable and helpful. But just like us, they sometimes have a tendency to find fault in everything.

COULD YOU SHARE A MEMORY FROM MOLDOVA THAT LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION ON YOU?

In 2003, our factory in Floreşti was hit by a major fire. The fire was caused by a worker’s mistake and could only be brought under control after several hours. Thankfully, there were no injuries or casualties. Exactly one month later, we restarted production and celebrated with a large concert. Moldova’s most famous band at the time, Zdob şi Zdub, performed in front of a crowd of nearly 10,000 people.

The joy and energy of that day are something I’ll never forget. What are the must-visit destinations in Moldova? Was there a place that truly captivated or left a lasting impression on you? I believe one of the top places to visit in Moldova is the Cricova wine cellars. This vast underground network is said to span about 80 kilometres, almost like an entire city beneath the surface.

locals, similar to the way we feel warmly toward a foreigner who speaks Turkish. On the other hand, Russian-speaking foreigners may not elicit much surprise or sympathy from the Russian community, since speaking the language is considered a natural expectation. Over time, this situation has changed. Today, Russian is almost never used in government offices; everyone makes an effort to speak Romanian. When it comes to interpersonal relations, Moldova is a remarkably calm country. Even after years of living here, I’ve never witnessed an argument or tension in the streets. In recent years, social life has also become more vibrant. Theatres, concerts, and cultural events draw significant interest. Despite the high ticket prices, venues are always full.

AS THE DEİK/TÜRKİYE-MOLDOVA BUSINESS COUNCIL, COULD YOU BRIEFLY EVALUATE YOUR ACTIVITIES IN 2024 AND SHARE SOME OF THE EVENTS YOU PLAN TO CARRY OUT WITHIN THIS YEAR?

For the Türkiye-Moldova Business Council, 2024 has been a year in which we aimed to further deepen our economic and trade relations with Moldova. Throughout the year, we met with Turkish local businesspeople in Moldova to assess existing partnerships and discuss new investment opportunities. Through regular contact and frequent business meetings with the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Chișinău, we were also able to address the needs of the business world through diplomatic channels in real time. In particular, engagements with Moldovan officials in the energy sector have opened the door to new cooperation opportunities for our business community.

Looking ahead to 2025, we plan to hold Business Council Meetings in Ankara and Istanbul, aiming to boost interest in Moldova among Turkish businesses. We also plan to organise a business delegation visit to Chișinău to facilitate direct engagement between the two sides. By partnering with DEİK’s founding institutions, we aim to host sector-specific joint events that will help foster a deeper and more sustainable economic partnership between the two countries.