Smart technologies and digital innovations brought together regional leaders and experts in Bălți for the first day of the “SMART Technologies for Innovation” Summit.

The first day of the “SMART Technologies for Innovation” Summit, organized by the Association for the Development of Electronic Communications and Innovative Technologies (ACETI) in partnership with the Bălți Municipality, the Employers’ Association of Renewable Energy Producers “ECOEnergetica”, and the Association for Regional Development and European Policies (ADRPE), brought together representatives of public administrations, the business community, and international organizations from Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine to discuss cross-border investments, smart urban transformation, and innovative solutions in energy and digitalization.

Held under the banner of regional collaboration for innovation, the summit provided a platform for dialogue between local authorities, technology companies, IT clusters, and experts in digital and energy transformation.

The event was opened by the Mayor of Bălți, Alexandr Petkov, who expressed his belief that technology is the key tool that will help communities achieve their shared goals.

“We have common aspirations: to offer our citizens a clean, safe, and modern environment, and administrations that work for their benefit. In this context, I am convinced that technology is the instrument that brings us closer to these shared goals — especially during this new and challenging pre-accession period, when we must avoid the mistakes of others, learn from their experience, and exchange good practices to attract as many European funds as possible,” emphasized Alexandr Petkov.

Ion Bodrug, President of ACETI, noted that openness, collaboration, and friendship between organizations from different countries turned this event into a productive platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange.

“Collaboration is the key word of this event. We wanted to highlight the potential of the city of Bălți and its openness to digital transformation, innovation, and — why not — to solutions for Moldova’s energy sector. Today, Bălți demonstrates openness, collaboration, and friendship among neighbors and supporting countries. I am sure that over these two days, we will learn new things that will help us grow, innovate, and transform Bălți into an open, transparent, and investment-attractive municipality,” stated the ACETI President.

In turn, Sorin Chiriță, President of the Association for Regional Development and European Policies (ADRPE), highlighted Bălți’s prospects for becoming a true hub of economic growth.

“I see the development of Bălți in a very favorable light because there is genuine openness toward investment and integrated urban development. Its proximity to Iași and to major Ukrainian cities positions this municipality as a future economic pole — a growth hub for the entire region.”

Greetings were also addressed by representatives of the Romanian and Ukrainian Consulates in Bălți, who emphasized the city’s excellent prospects through its openness to innovation and cross-border cooperation.

The first panel of the day focused on cross-border investments and partnerships between Moldova, Romania, and the European Union, showcasing joint projects in smart urbanism and regional development. Representatives of the cities Focșani, Dărmănești, Smârdan, Solotvino, Vinnytsia, and Ladyzhyn presented modernization initiatives through digitalization, smart urban mobility, and administrative efficiency.

The second panel addressed the topic of smart urban transformation, emphasizing that city modernization depends not only on technology but also on changing the mindset of urban leaders, as noted by AI expert Veaceslav Cunev. The session continued with presentations from Decid.md, InfoEra, IDomus, Graphtec Design, and Urbio Romania, showcasing how digital solutions can enhance participatory governance and sustainable urban development.

Discussions then turned to pilot projects for energy consumption management and digital solutions for efficiency and sustainability. Representatives of Bălți Municipality, Qgroup Holding, and ECOEnergetica presented intelligent platforms for monitoring and reducing energy consumption, as well as models for harnessing green energy.

The final panel of the day focused on European experiences in digital innovation, bringing together representatives of several Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) from Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine. Participants included experts from Digital Innovation Hub of Moldova (DIH of Moldova), Transilvania IT Cluster (TEDIH), FIT EDIH, WE HUB (Wallachia EDIH), NOSC-UA DIH (EDIH KyivHiTech), and Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ EDIH).

The day concluded with optimistic reflections on Bălți’s potential to become a regional hub of innovation and digitalization, thanks to strong collaboration between local authorities, academia, and the private sector.

The summit continues tomorrow, October 24, with a day dedicated to energy balance, energy storage, modern grid challenges, and the green transition, bringing together decision-makers and energy experts to identify sustainable solutions for Moldova’s energy future.

The “SMART Technologies for Innovation” event takes place within the ACETI 4 EDIE project, implemented with the support of the Innovate Moldova Program, funded by Sweden.