National Bank of Moldova may have new governor by mid-November

Chisinau, 6 October /MOLDPRES/ - The candidates for the office of governor of the National Bank of Moldova (BNM) are expected to be selected till 6 November, the commission for the selection of candidates for the position of head of the central bank announced at their first meeting today.

"By mid-November it would be good to have a governor appointed by the parliament, so that in the second half of the month the IMF mission returned to Chisinau to complete negotiations on a new agreement-memorandum," said Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu.

The parliament speaker said that he wanted the selection process to be transparent, based on criteria of integrity and professionalism. "What’s important is to avoid politicisation or political influences as much as possible, since there is a possibility these could prevail over the criteria of professionalism and integrity," Candu said.

The above-mentioned commission includes representatives of the parliamentary factions, civil society, academia, as well as representatives of the professional banking field and independent experts. Representatives of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and European Union were invited as observers, but they declined, since they are forbidden from engaging in such activities as internal procedures did not permit them to do so.  Nonetheless, the EU representative will participate in some sessions.

The method of working, selection criteria and deadline till which resumes can be submitted will be established at the Commission’s meeting scheduled for 7 October.

BNM Governor Dorin Dragutanu and First Deputy Governor Marin Molosag submitted their resignations on 21 September.

(Reporter V. Bercu, Editor M. Jantovan)