Academia de Guvernanță. The Future of Governance Begins with Trust, Innovation, and Real Partnerships
The conference “The Future of Governance: Building Synergy between Financial Systems and Public Institutions”, held in Chișinău and organized by Envisia – Boards of Elite, MOORE, and AIR, brought together leaders from the financial sector, public institutions, and the entrepreneurial environment to explore how real bridges can be built between regulation and innovation, strategy and execution. From financial inclusion and digitalization to governance education and economic sustainability, the event highlighted the need for genuine synergy between institutions and the economy. These insights were shared by Gabriela Hârțescu, Dean and Co-founder of Envisia, Mamas Koutsoyiannis, CEO of Moore Romania and Moldova, and Dan Nuțiu, Executive President of AIR, during the Academia de Guvernanță program.
Synergy for Sustainable Development
Building strong bridges between administration and the economy, regulation and innovation, is no longer a theoretical ideal—it is a strategic necessity for a country’s economic sustainability.
Based on this premise, the Chișinău conference—organized by Envisia in partnership with MOORE Romania & Moldova and the Romanian Investors Association in the Republic of Moldova (AIR)—created an authentic space for dialogue between public, financial, and private sector actors, along with top experts from finance, business, and academia.
Gabriela Hârțescu noted:
“Public-private partnership is a top priority. Only through synergy between financial systems and public authorities can we build a strong and prosperous economy. Financial systems are the lifeblood of the economy—they distribute the resources needed to fund society and development.”
Speaking about public–financial sector cooperation in Moldova, Mamas Koutsoyiannis emphasized that the foundation is there, but success depends greatly on institutional openness.
Public authorities need know-how, efficiency, and innovative solutions, while the private sector is ready to invest—as long as there is transparency and predictability. In this context, public-private partnerships can become powerful tools for modernizing infrastructure, digitalizing administration, and attracting strategic investment. However, the effectiveness of such partnerships varies depending on institutional attitudes—some are receptive to change, others more reluctant.
“The private sector often takes the initiative, but for transformation to be real, the public sector must respond with the same level of commitment,” Koutsoyiannis added.
Inclusion, Innovation, and Balancing Interests
Key themes on the conference agenda included: capital allocation to strategic sectors (infrastructure, healthcare, education), the role of the financial system in economic stability, risk management, and expanding financial inclusion. “Not only large economic players should be part of this ecosystem—the general population must be included as well. Financial inclusion increases intermediation and system stability,” noted Gabriela Hârțescu.
She also emphasized that innovation is a catalyst for prosperity and that public–financial sector collaboration must be based on shared values: communication, transparency, integrity, and responsibility.
A Partnership with an Educational Mission
For Mamas Koutsoyiannis, the partnership between the three organizations emerged as a natural response to a growing need: the professionalization of governance in Moldova.
“We share many synergies. Our goal was to foster transparency, responsibility, and sustainability in the leadership of both private and public sector organizations.”
Dan Nuțiu added that the project continues an initiative launched a year earlier and has a deeply educational component: “This project is grounded in a real understanding of Moldova’s situation. Not long ago, Romania was in a similar position. We believe that if we had known then what we now have the opportunity to share, we could have advanced faster and better. We joined this initiative to support Moldovan entrepreneurs, assist the Government of Moldova, and ultimately to be a model for the next generation.”
Ethics and Governance as a Foundation
Ethics was a recurring theme throughout the event. Gabriela Hârțescu stressed that the ideal synergy between the public and financial sectors must be rooted in shared values:
“Ethics is the foundation for sustainable growth in any business, partnership, or collaboration. It’s important that we move beyond the mindset of ‘it’s good enough,’ which unfortunately still persists.”
Digitalization as a Catalyst for Transformation
Another recurring point at the conference was the importance of digitalization. Gabriela Hârțescu emphasized that transforming the financial system from a mere capital channel into a true partner of the state necessarily involves digital integration.
“Digitalization is the most important evolution—and revolution—in the public sector, ensuring agility and transparency. Ideally, a company should be able to be established 100% online, in the shortest time possible.”
Moreover, there is a growing need for solutions that support financial inclusion and respond to the needs of all economic actors—regardless of their size or digital competence. The state must offer digital tools tailored to the real needs of entrepreneurs and citizens—regardless of business size or tech literacy.
In the same vein, Mamas Koutsoyiannis spoke about the future of corporate governance in the age of new technologies:
“Governance can no longer be viewed separately from technology. Digitalization, AI, and advanced analytics will transform how boards make decisions. Artificial intelligence and automation can free up time for strategic thinking at board level.”
At the same time, ethics and cybersecurity must be integrated into the public agenda to prepare institutions for future challenges.
This is why there’s an increasing need for specialized training programs for board members—programs that equip them to navigate technological change and complex decision-making. In this context, ENVISIA, in partnership with Henley Business School (UK), offers the Postgraduate Certificate in Board Practice and Directorship—an internationally accredited program that prepares board leaders to make informed, ethical, and strategic decisions in a constantly evolving environment.
Blending academic rigor with practical applicability, the program is designed to meet the real needs of those leading organizations in a digital and interdependent economy.
Applications are open until September 5 – on Envisia website.
Romania – A Model, Investor, and Strategic Partner
In the context of Romania–Moldova cooperation, Dan Nuțiu emphasized Romania’s positive role in supporting Moldova’s business ecosystem. Trade between the two countries reached $3.6 billion in 2024, up from $700 million in 2008.
“The number of Romanian companies approaching AIR to invest in Moldova is the highest since the association was founded,” said Nuțiu, adding that Moldovan entrepreneurs view Romania as a gateway to the European market.
A relevant example is a joint project with UNDP, focused on integrating entrepreneurs from Transnistria and supporting them in becoming competitive and accessing the EU market through Romania.
Working with local businesses in Moldova, Nuțiu observed that the main challenges are not about potential but about the educational gap in entrepreneurship.
“Romania had the advantage of EU integration. Now it’s time for Moldova’s business community to catch up—with support from international investors.”
From this perspective, AIR has taken on an active educational role, organizing seminars and conferences to boost management capacity and governance culture.
“There is a genuine openness from Moldovan entrepreneurs, a clear willingness to learn, and an awareness that respecting rules and properly applying business principles is essential—not only for profitability but also for long-term sustainability.”
Conclusion: 7 Key Directions for the Future of Public–Private Governance
- Building real synergy between the public sector and financial systems. Collaboration between authorities and the financial sector is essential for efficient resource allocation, economic stability, and sustainable development.
- Expanding financial inclusion. Not only large businesses, but also the general population must be integrated into the financial system to strengthen economic cohesion.
- Digitalization as a driver of transparency and administrative efficiency. Public sector modernization and better interaction with entrepreneurs depend on digital transformation and online accessibility.
- Technology-driven corporate governance. AI, automation, and data analytics are becoming strategic tools for boards—paired with a strong emphasis on ethics and cybersecurity.
- Education and continuous training in leadership and governance. The main gap is educational, not technological—making investment in skills and board education a strategic priority.
- Ethics as the foundation of sustainable partnerships. Integrity, accountability, and transparency must be embedded into decision-making processes, in both public and private sectors.
- Romania’s strategic role in supporting Moldova’s economic development. With growing trade and increasing interest from Romanian and Moldovan entrepreneurs alike, Romania is becoming a key partner in Moldova’s European and economic integration.
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