Although Romania and Moldova border each other and share a language, numerous historical and cultural elements, their institutional evolution since the early 1990s has been very different. However, political changes in recent years have set Moldova on the path to integration with the European Union. Romania is a natural and closest partner in this process. At the economic level, Romanian chambers of commerce can provide significant support for the integration process.
In October 2026, the Timisoara Journal of Economics and Business (TJEB-2026_1) published the first results of a comparative study of the primary chambers operating in both countries. Research and interviews with chambers in both countries were conducted at the turn of 2025/2026 by Piotr MARCINIAK (Institute of Legal Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland) and Larisa MISTREAN (Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova, Moldova) in cooperation with the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, West University of Timișoara, Romania.
Abstract:
Romania and Moldova both regulate their chambers of commerce through national laws and define them as non-governmental organisations with voluntary membership. Romania has a system of county-based chambers, associated by law in a national organization (CCIR), while Moldova has a single national chamber (CCIRM) with regional branches and a clear legal status as a public-law entity enjoying state support. Situated within the broader context of post-socialist transformation and European integration, this article provides a structured comparative analysis of these chambers across seven dimensions: establishment and legal basis; national structure and internal organisation; membership level; income and finances; public and private tasks; relations with public authorities; and institutional strength in each country. The analysis is preceded by a contextual introduction covering the demographic, economic, business-structure, and political developments in both countries since the early 1990s, including the unresolved territorial conflict in Transnistria. Political choices and systemic differences between the two countries influence the foundations and institutional role of their chambers of commerce as B2A (Business-to-Administration) partners in social dialogue and sustainable development – especially their operational capacity and strategic positioning. The findings highlight the potential for strengthening the roles of chambers as intermediaries in public governance, particularly in advancing competition and sustainable development goals, fostering inclusive economic dialogue, and supporting administrative decentralization. Political recommendations emphasize the need to increase their representativeness and to involve them in the implementation of public tasks.
