Moldova has long been the destination of choice for IT&C investors, but analysts feel that, in the next few years, as areas such as Bucharest, which was once deemed as the top investment option, will become increasingly expensive, eastern Romania could turn into a local El Dorado.
"I believe that Moldova will see a genuine investment boom in IT centres and call centres in the next 2-3 years," Eugen Schwab-Chesaru, general manager for CEE of Pierre Audoin Consultants (PAC), told Ziarul Financiar.
According to Schwab-Chesaru, investors will gain more confidence for medium and long-term projects, whereas the locals will adjust and will learn how to receive the investors. "Thus, the specialists will think twice about staying or going back to where they came from."
One of the high-profile investments in Iasi was the opening of a Siemens VDO centre for software development and electronic components, early this year. "We expect that, in a few years, the centre should at least catch up with the one in Timisoara," Adrian Baicusi, general manager of Siemens Romania, told ZF. The centre in Timisoara already has more than 1,200 employees, six years after opening. "There are talented software specialists in Moldova, and the workforce costs are excellent," Baicusi stated.
As Bucharest is becoming increasingly "crowded," the investors looking for minimal costs will start considering Moldova. "Moldova has long been in the cards, but not many plans for IT centres have actually materialised, because the business and living standards were deemed as less accommodating. Also, Bucharest costs were still low enough at that point," Schwab-Chesaru added.
On the other hand, Moldova is also a competence source in IT, foreign languages and economic sciences for Bucharest. "If we look at IT companies or call centres in Bucharest, we will notice that 20-30% of employees come from Moldova. They came here either before or after graduation. However, if they make some calculations about the cost of living, they may come to the conclusion that it is more profitable to stay in a city near their home. Rents in Bucharest may be a significant factor," the Pierre Audoin Consultants official feels. Still, Bucharest will continue to attract young people from Moldova, because it provides more leisure options and gives them a Western way of life, Scwhab-Chesaru says.
According to Baicusi, Moldova has excellent universities, which are beginning to team up with various IT&C companies. Moreover, Moldova cities are attracting increasingly more investments, and demand for personnel is growing, said the Siemens official.
At any rate, analysts feel that, for the time being, the workforce supply in Moldova can meet demand. "We should not forget that this is the region with the highest birthrates in Romania," Schwab-Chesaru stated.
Pentru alte știri, analize, articole și informații din business în timp real urmărește Ziarul Financiar pe WhatsApp Channels
