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On October 16, 2026, starting at 10:00, the ATIPIC Entrepreneurial Community and the Iași Chamber of Commerce and Industry will organize the conference “ATIPIC International: EU Trade Policy & Moldova Export Stories” at Palas Congress Hall, Mozart Hall. Participation is free, with prior registration required.
How does a company from our region reach international markets? What does it learn from its first negotiations, relationships with partners, and the challenges it encounters? And where do these experiences intersect with the European Union’s trade policies?
On October 16, we are bringing these questions to the same table in Iași. The conference brings together representatives of the European Commission, business leaders, regional organizations, and exporters in a setting dedicated to dialogue and connections between people.
Register for ATIPIC International for free
Când și unde are loc ATIPIC Internațional?When and where does ATIPIC International take place? All times are given in Romanian local time. The agenda and guest list are currently being updated.
ATIPIC on the European Trade Policy Day 2026 agenda
A partner event organized as part of the European Commission’s Trade Policy Day.
The conference in Iași is included on the official DG Trade and Economic Security Trade Policy Day 2026 page, under the title “ATIPIC International: EU Trade Policy & Moldova Export Stories,” on October 16.
The European Commission’s main event takes place on October 14, in Brussels and online. Its agenda addresses the use of trade agreements, economic security, competitiveness, and the benefits of trade policy for companies. The ATIPIC conference on October 16 brings this conversation to the Moldova region through the questions of entrepreneurs and the experiences of local exporters.
In this article, the Moldova region refers to the region of Romania, with a focus on the entrepreneurial communities of Iași, Bacău, Neamț, Suceava, Botoșani, and Vaslui.
Why talk about EU trade policy in Iași?
For an entrepreneur, internationalization begins with practical questions: where is there demand for their product, how do they find a reliable partner, what documents need to be prepared, and how do they manage the business relationship after the first delivery?
The conference brings together two perspectives that need each other: the tools and policies discussed at European level and the decisions companies make in their day-to-day operations.
We are interested both in the journey of companies that already export and in the curiosity of those who want to better understand international trade. What worked? What would they do differently? What kind of support would have been useful at the beginning? These are the questions we are starting from.
ATIPIC International conference agenda
09:30–10:00 | Registration, welcome coffee and networking
We will meet before the conference for registration, coffee, and the first conversations between participants.
10:00–10:05 | Conference opening
Andrei Ungureanu, President of the ATIPIC Entrepreneurial Community, will open the event by presenting the objective of the meeting: connecting the Moldova region to the European agenda on trade policy, competitiveness, and internationalization.
10:05–10:20 | European Commission presentation
Flavia Ferrasson, Trade Policy Officer, DG Trade and Economic Security, European Commission, will deliver the presentation opening the dialogue on European trade policy.
10:20–11:10 | Panel 1: EU trade policy, competitiveness and the internationalization of Romanian SMEs
The first panel will address the connection between European trade policy, the regional economic landscape, and the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises. The European Commission’s perspective will be brought into dialogue with the experience of the business community and regional organizations.
Moderator: Lucian Bălănuță
Guests:
- Flavia Ferrasson – Trade Policy Officer, DG Trade and Economic Security, European Commission;
- – Entrepreneur and EU Trade Champion – Antreprenor și EU Trade Champion (to be confirmed);
- Claudiu Mitrea Expert, Sectoral Specialization Office, North-East Regional Development Agency;
- Paul Butnariu – President, Iași Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
- Andrei Ungureanu – President of the ATIPIC Entrepreneurial Community and EU Trade Champion.
Questions that will guide the discussion:
- How is international trade changing for SMEs in the current context?
- What European tools can support companies in accessing markets outside the EU?
- How can the Moldova region become more competitive and better connected to international markets?
- What do local companies lack in order to export more confidently: information, financing, contacts, infrastructure, strategy, or confidence?
- How can we connect local entrepreneurs to European networks and concrete internationalization opportunities?
11:10–12:30 | Panel 2: The Moldova region and international markets
The second panel will bring exporters’ experiences to the forefront: the first markets they entered, the challenges they encountered, and the lessons they can share with other companies in the region.
Moderator: Marius Alexe
Guests:
- Victor Deleanu – Director General, Casa de Vinuri COTNARI;
- George Safir – Manager General, Holding FAMILIA SAFIR;
- Alina Chifan – Director Comercial, EGGER Romania;
- Mihai Țopa – Manager General, SELF TRUST (to be confirmed).
The guest list is currently being updated.
The discussion will cover access to the first international markets, documentation and certifications, identifying partners, logistics, payments, and differences in business culture. We will discuss building commercial relationships within the EU and in non-EU countries, the support needed when starting out, and opportunities for the Moldova region.
12:30–13:30 | Networking Lunch
We will continue the conversations over a networking lunch dedicated to direct connections between speakers, exporters, entrepreneurs, institutional partners, and representatives of the business community.
A useful European resource for companies interested in exporting: Access2Markets
On the DG Trade page dedicated to European companies accessing international markets, the European Commission presents Access2Markets as an information resource for trade beyond the EU’s borders.
The portal provides information on tariffs, rules of origin, taxes, import procedures and formalities, product requirements, trade barriers, and trade flow statistics.
For participants who want to prepare questions before the conference, it can be a useful starting point: choose a product and a market of interest, explore the available information, and come with the questions you would like to discuss.
Who is the event for?
ATIPIC International is intended for entrepreneurs, managers, manufacturers, representatives of service companies, and organizations that support the development of the business environment.
Both those with export experience and those curious to learn how products and services from our region reach international markets are welcome. Participating can be a first step toward better understanding a topic, asking a question, or meeting people with relevant experience.
For the ATIPIC Entrepreneurial Community, this event continues our focus on people, ideas, and collaboration, while opening the dialogue toward the regional economy and the European agenda.
Frequently asked questions about ATIPIC International
Is participation free?
Yes. Participation in the conference on October 16, 2026 is free, with prior registration through the event registration form.
Do I need to already have a company that exports?
No. The event is also intended for entrepreneurs, managers, and professionals interested in understanding the opportunities and challenges of internationalization.
Where does the conference take place and what time does it start?
The conference takes place at Palas Congress Hall, Mozart Hall, Iași, on October 16, 2026. Registration begins at 09:30, and the conference opening is scheduled for 10:00.
Who is organizing the event?
The organizers are the ATIPIC Entrepreneurial Community and the Iași Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with the support of the Suceava and Vaslui Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Are the agenda and speaker lineup final?
No. The agenda is currently being updated. The participation of Hilde Brandl and Mihai Țopa is still to be confirmed, and the guest list for the second panel is still being finalized.
Register for ATIPIC International on October 16
If you are curious about how commercial relationships are built across borders and what we can learn from the experience of exporters in the region, we look forward to welcoming you in Iași.
Reserve your place at the conference for free
ATIPIC — Connecting People and Ideas for Success.
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