How a Moldovan family-run snack factory is growing with state support
A family running an extruded snack business has become the first recipient of state investment support. The entrepreneur received 30 million lei (€1,500,000), which represents half of the planned investment. Of this amount, 7.5 million lei (€380,000) will be provided as a non-repayable grant, while the remainder will be offered in the form of tax breaks.
The funds will be used to purchase modern equipment, and the business expansion will create at least 60 new jobs locally.
After the agreement was signed, a factory tour took place.
"Here’s how the process works: the cereal grains are fed into the dispenser, then pass through the extruder, where they are compressed and cooked at high temperature and pressure. When they exit, the crackers are fully formed," said the entrepreneur.
"Behind us, the seasoning process takes place. After exiting the oven, where the product is dried, it enters the tumbler, where it rotates. It is then passed through oil, which coats the product, helping the seasoning stick."
The Curchi family business began in 2001. Since then, the parents have worked alongside their two children.
"We started as importers and official representatives of several global brands. After 20 years in business, we decided to enter production. Later, we built our own snack factory and launched several product lines," said Lilia Curchi.
The youngest member of the family, Mihail, who also manages the factory, studied abroad but decided to return home after completing his education.
"I studied for two years in London, UK, and another two years in Beijing, China. Afterward, I returned home, confident that Moldova had great development potential and that I had the right platform to grow," said Mihail Curchi.
The entrepreneurs said that the funds will be used to purchase new equipment and set up a new snack production line.
"This support will help us buy new equipment and set up a new snack production line. It will allow us to create new jobs, strengthen our operations, and expand both on the domestic and international markets," said Veaceslav Curchi, the factory's founder.
"The entrepreneur, in partnership with the Republic of Moldova, has committed to a 60-million-lei investment. The state will reimburse half of this—50% of the total investment—of which 7.5 million lei will be a non-repayable grant, while the remaining amount will be provided in the form of tax breaks for a period of ten years," said Doina Nistor, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization.
A total of two billion lei has been allocated for investment aid by the state. As a result, around 150 enterprises in the processing industry could benefit from this support.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
