Chișinău, Republic of Moldova, December, 2025 – AmCham Moldova has released the second edition of METRIX, a comprehensive assessment of the Moldovan business climate that combines nationwide survey data, econometric policy impact modeling, and forward-looking indicators.
METRIX, the Moldovan Economic Transformation and Reform IndeX, measures how companies perceive the business environment across key domains such as taxation, labor, trade, digitalization, and human capital. Supported by Visa, Victoriabank, and the Netherlands Embassy to Chisinau, the second edition shows a shift from initial optimism to a cautious, balanced outlook, signaling stabilizing expectations rather than deterioration. Overall sentiment remains neutral, with rising concerns in operational areas and enduring structural constraints in labor and regulatory predictability.
What is METRIX & why it matters
Developed by a team of international experts organized by AmCham Moldova, METRIX combines three complementary analytical components: a nationwide statistically representative survey of companies across sectors, including a dedicated sample of AmCham members; qualitative interviews that capture deeper perspectives from the business community; and a comparative policy-impact assessment using a Vector Auto-Regression (VAR) model to benchmark Moldova against regional peers. Together, these elements form a coherent evidence framework that allows both policymakers and the private sector to understand how reforms shape the business environment in practice and to identify areas requiring further action. The methodology has been reviewed and validated by academic and professional experts from leading institutions such as Oxford University, NYU Shanghai, IFC, and the World Bank, ensuring its analytical rigor and credibility
“METRIX provides the business community and policymakers with a shared language about the real effects of policy – not assumptions, but measurable insights,” Alexandru Gozun, President, AmCham Moldova, PwC Moldova Country Director
1. Business sentiment: from optimism to caution
Both general and AmCham samples show a tilt toward neutral perceptions, indicating measured expectations for the next 12 months. Positive sentiment declined slightly compared with the first edition, but negative outlooks did not grow – suggesting a wait-and-see attitude rather than pessimism.
2. Macroeconomic pressures top the risk list
Macroeconomic instability ranks as the main concern across respondents. Inflationary pressures and escalating input costs weigh especially on companies embedded in international markets. Labour shortages and regulatory uncertainty remain structural challenges.
3. Taxation & regulatory interaction
The tax burden is generally seen as reasonable. However, predictability and clarity emerge as key demands, especially regarding free economic zones and innovative regimes such as IT Parks. Simplifying administrative procedures remains a priority for many firms.
4. Trade & customs
Perceptions of trade and customs have softened, with uncertainty around new customs regulations and complex procedures emerging as significant operational burdens, especially for firms engaged in import/export activities.
5. Human capital challenges persist
Labor constraints are a standout structural issue. Companies report an ongoing mismatch between education and labor-market needs, challenges in recruiting and retaining talent, and slow labor-import procedures – all of which contribute to higher costs and limited workforce fluidity.
6. Digitalization & AI adoption
Progress in digitalization is acknowledged, but adoption is uneven. AI interest remains high, yet concrete implementation lags due to institutional and strategic gaps. This explains a noticeable drop in sentiment toward digital transformation compared with the first METRIX iteration.
7. Outlook on investment
Investment expectations reflect cautious stability: most firms predict no significant change in investment levels over the next year. Those anticipating moderate increases are in the minority, underscoring a careful investment climate.
“The nuances captured in Edition 2 confirm that Moldova's private sector is adaptable but needs predictability and a stable foundation to thrive,” Veronica Sireteanu, AmCham Deputy Director.
The report underscores a several most important areas for future focus:
- Strengthening labor market alignment and human capital development
- Enhancing regulatory predictability and administrative simplification
- Deepening digital adoption across public and private sectors
- Sustaining data-driven policymaking through continuous METRIX iterations.
AmCham Moldova calls for ongoing dialogue between businesses and authorities to ensure that policy reforms are evidence-based, predictable, and aligned with Moldova's EU integration objectives.
About AmCham Moldova
For 19 years, AmCham Moldova has been a leading business association advocating for foreign and local investment in the Republic of Moldova. Working closely with government partners and international stakeholders, AmCham fosters a transparent, predictable, and competitive business environment through data-driven advocacy, public-private dialogue, and policy research.