Moldova Digital Summit 2024: Visionaries and Tech Leaders Unite in Chisinau To Drive Digital Acceleration
Moldova is rapidly gaining recognition as Europe’s next major tech hub, consistently advancing its digital initiatives. Last year, Moldova boasted the second highest per capita IT workforce in Europe, after Estonia, with 4.5% of its workforce employed in the IT sector, outperforming tech-heavy nations such as Poland, Ukraine, and Romania, according to Emerging Europe.
With an impressive ability to adapt quickly, Moldova has set a definitive goal: to digitize 100% of its public services. As part of this commitment, on 6-8th June, Chisinau will host one of the biggest tech conferences in the South Eastern Europe - Moldova Digital Summit 2024 (#MDS24). Themed "Powering a 100% Digital Tomorrow," the event gathers policymakers, state authorities, founders, and CEOs of technology companies and rapidly growing startups, all with the goal of reshaping the future of digital technology.
#MDS24 supports the European Digital Decade's mission to catalyze a comprehensive transformation across business, skills, infrastructure, and governance to foster a sustainable, human-centric digital society. The summit anticipates over 3,000 participants who will have the opportunity to hear from influential speakers, interact with innovative entrepreneurs, participate in extensive B2B workshops, and explore numerous digital transformation opportunities within a sprawling 1000m2 expo space.
Moldova Digital Summit: 50+ visionary speakers
From artificial intelligence to business strategies, digital transformation will take center stage, highlighted by 50+ inspiring speakers from Australia, the UK, the USA, Estonia, Romania, and other international experts from leading global companies like Mastercard, Orange, Google, Microsoft, IBM, Fortinet, and others.
The biggest names in tech will meet at Moldova Digital Summit:
● Taavi Kotka – the man who transformed Estonia into a digital nation - will discuss how Estonia became the first country in the world where 99% of public services are digitized.
● Nina Jankowicz - co-founder and CEO of The American Sunlight Project; author of “How to Lose the Information War” and “How to Be A Woman Online”; named one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in AI - will talk about misinformation and democratization, as well as the future of technology and its impact on our society.
● Louise Beaumont – Senior Vice President of Open Banking & Open Finance, Industry and Policy at Mastercard - will speak on digital transformation in banking and finance, including open banking, open finance, and open data.
● Andrew Wrobel – founding partner of Emerging Europe, the largest global tech community - will address foreign direct investments, export strategies for the UK and other markets, digital transformation, technology, and innovation.
● Steve Jarrett – data manager and AI officer at Orange; creator of one of the first strategic machine learning programs at Facebook (2013), and product manager for the first mobile browser at General Magic - will discuss the future of digital communication.
● Mariana Dahan - founder and CEO of the World Identity Network (WIN), expert member at UNDESA, and founding member of the Global Blockchain Business Council - will discuss blockchain and other advanced technologies concerning digital identity.
● Tony Wheeler – director at ImagineX Ventures, Australia - will cover the development of emerging strategies, promoting organizational culture, and building new ecosystems that support technological innovation and social entrepreneurship.
1,000 m² expo area for sectorial showcase of digitalization
The summit features a vast 1,000m² Expo Area, a pivotal hub for showcasing sector-specific digital advancements. Here, leading agencies, companies, and organizations will display their latest innovations, solutions, and future strategies. Attendees can experience a range of live demonstrations, such as obtaining electronic signatures or digital IDs, and the debut of the revolutionary EVO app — a comprehensive government "one-stop shop" for all of Moldova's digital public services. Additionally, a dedicated alley for local startups will allow emerging companies to present their technologies and expertise to potential business partners. This space is designed to foster connections among startups, venture capitalists, and angel investors, promoting innovation and business growth. The Expo Area also highlights groundbreaking projects and collaborative efforts, featuring interactive exhibits that underscore Moldova's position as a prime location for investment and long-term partnerships.
Moldova – a model for a fully digital state
With over 60% of digitized public services, Moldova is ranked 60th in the Global Innovation Index. The country has also debuted at 118th out of 193 in the Global Soft Power Index, marking its recognition for cultural, social, and economic influence worldwide. Moldova presents itself as an attractive investment destination with several key advantages. It offers a favorable income tax environment where its unique European fiscal model supports profit reinvestment and business growth. Stability and predictability are ensured as the extension of the Moldova Innovation Technology Park until 2035 with a 7% tax rate creates an appealing environment for investors. Recent limited liability companies reform enhance entrepreneurial freedom for more efficient business management. Moldova's accessible workforce is bolstered by allowing citizens from 47 countries to work without a work permit, enriching the talent pool. Efforts to reduce bureaucracy are evident, as barriers equivalent to 0.5% of GDP were eliminated in 2023, with further reductions planned for 2024. Additionally, over half of the public services for entrepreneurs are now available online, with a target to reach 75% by the end of the year.
***
Moldova Digital Summit 2024 is organized by the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization in collaboration with the National Association of ICT Companies (ATIC), with support from Moldova Innovation Technology Park and the Invest Moldova Agency.
Viorica Bordei,
Communications Officer
vbordei@ict.md
Moldovan Association of ICT Companies (ATIC)
Tags:
