Thursday, 19 February 2026
Coral Construct is extending its footprint beyond Romania’s borders with a new presence in the Republic of Moldova, a move the company describes as both strategic and personal. Speaking to CIJ EUROPE, Cătălin Duma, Managing Partner of Coral Construct, said the decision was influenced by cultural and historical ties as much as by business considerations.
“The expansion in the Republic of Moldova was for us also an emotional step,” Duma explained, noting the long-standing relationship between the two countries. “We feel like there is still a connection between our countries.” He described the move as a natural continuation of the company’s regional development, supported by the shared language and similar cultural habits. The current political direction of Moldova, which is increasingly aligned with Romania and the European Union, was also cited as an encouraging factor.
Coral Construct entered the Moldovan market through a partnership with one of the country’s leading banks, focusing on asset and property management standards modelled on Western European practices. According to Duma, the objective is not rapid short-term expansion but establishing a stable local base and growing in parallel with the country’s economic development. “We didn’t target to develop very fast there, just to be present, to find some serious landlords which need our services and to wait, to be there, waiting for their potential to be achieved.”
Transferring Romanian operational standards to Moldova has, so far, presented fewer obstacles than expected. Language and cultural similarities have eased recruitment and communication. The larger challenge, Duma noted, is educating the market about the value of higher-level facility management services. “The biggest challenge for now is to teach the market that facility management done at another level… it’s the future and that they will need it.”
Despite this, he sees significant long-term potential, particularly in industrial, office and retail segments, drawing comparisons with Romania’s own development cycle two decades ago. The company has already formed a local team and implemented its internal procedures and digital platforms, while also facilitating internships in Romania to accelerate knowledge transfer.
Alongside its geographical expansion, Coral Construct is investing in two internal initiatives designed to broaden its service offering and address structural challenges in the property and construction sectors: Coral Community and Coral Academy.
Coral Community is envisioned as a digital ecosystem linking landlords, tenants and building occupants through a concierge-style platform that goes beyond traditional technical and maintenance services. The system is designed to provide both business-related support and lifestyle benefits for employees working in the buildings managed by Coral. Duma described it as “a living ecosystem that brings together and brings added value to both landlords and tenants,” offering services ranging from operational support to reservations, travel arrangements and access to discounts across restaurants, healthcare, fitness and other everyday needs. The platform is currently in development, with an application phase planned after initial market testing.
In parallel, Coral Academy aims to tackle the shortage of skilled technical labour affecting the construction and facility management industries. The initiative will function as a practical training centre combining classroom theory with hands-on technical instruction using real building systems. Duma pointed to the absence of vocational pathways as a major issue, explaining that many young people lack structured routes into technical professions. The academy is intended to fill this gap by providing accredited training and direct employment pathways. “It’s not just a course for taking you a diploma… it’s a practical school which gives you also the practical knowledge about the skill you want to learn,” he said.
Initially focused on training Coral’s own staff, the academy is expected to open to external participants and partner companies once the model is tested and refined. The approach resembles apprenticeship systems used in Western Europe, combining formal certification with on-site technical experience.
Through its expansion into Moldova and the parallel development of community and education platforms, Coral Construct is positioning itself not only as a property and facility management provider but also as a long-term ecosystem builder within the built environment sector.
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