Premiere in Moldova. Expert: We export more services than goods

The Republic of Moldova recorded a historic moment in the second quarter of 2025: for the first time, exports of services exceeded exports of goods. According to economic expert Veaceslav Ioniță, the value of exported services reached 804 million dollars, while exports of goods amounted to 790 million dollars.

Veaceslav Ioniță explained that "it is a symbolic, but extremely important threshold", noting that it marks the beginning of a new economic stage, in which Moldova is gradually moving from an economy based on material goods to an economy of services and knowledge, reports News.md.

"If in 1995 exports of goods were six times higher than those of services, today the ratio has reversed spectacularly. The structure of the economy has gradually transformed: material goods - from grapes, fruits and sugar, to textiles, oil or cars - remain important, but the engines of growth increasingly come from services, especially medical, educational, IT, transport and tourism," said Veaceslav Ioniță.

The expert points out that while exports of goods decreased from $1.23 billion in Q2/2022 to $790 million in Q2/2025, exports of services increased steadily, reaching a historic peak of $804 million. Thus, the share of services in Moldova's total exports reached 50.4%, compared to only 16% in 1995.

"Perhaps the most beautiful detail is that, while the trade balance for goods is negative, we have a surplus of almost a billion dollars in services. In other words, we export more services than we import - a sign of economic maturation," the expert noted.

This result places the Republic of Moldova among countries that build their prosperity through services and innovation.

According to Ioniță, Moldova is entering a new stage of development – an economy based on human capital, creativity and knowledge.

"It is a natural transition for the 21st century, where people and innovation become the main resources for growth," the economist emphasized.