Top European bank interested in constructive, long-lasting dialogue with Moldova

Chisinau, 11 May /MOLDPRES/ - Moldovan authorities’ actions give the first positive signals of stabilization and, under these circumstances, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is interested in a constructive, long-lasting dialogue with Moldova on all dimensions, including the banking, energy, roads, infrastructure sectors, etc. EBRD President, Sir Suma Chakrabarti made statements to this effect at a today’s meeting with Deputy Prime Minister, Economics Minister Octavian Calmic, who participates in a yearly meeting of the EBRD Board of Governors, held in London on 10-12 May.     

The EBRD president stressed that the last initiative to this end dealt with the management of European funds for implementing the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) and financial backing of the private sector. Also, Sir Suma Chakrabarti noted that EBRD kept an eye on the evolution of the events in Moldova following the swearing in office of the new government. He welcomed the central authorities’ efforts, aimed at implementing efficient reforms in all social and economic fields, according to a press release by the Economics Ministry.   

For his part, Octavian Calmic referred to policies promoted by the Moldovan government, in order to overcome the social and economic situation in the country, as well as to long-term strategies, due to be implemented. The deputy prime minister stressed that the government had managed to enforce a string of social projects, which eventually allowed decreasing the electric energy, gas rates for end consumers, to index the pensions, etc.   

As for the long-term projects, the economics minister informed about the government’s visions concerning the formation of the state budget, budgetary and fiscal policy, both for this year and 2017, providing subsidies in agriculture, reforms in the energy sector and business environment.  

The participants in the meeting, in which National Bank of Moldova Governor Sergiu Cioclea and the new head of the EBRD representative office in Chisinau, Dimitri Gvindadze took part, discussed Moldova’s relations with the International Monetary Fund, as well as the bilateral dialogue on the signing of a new agreement.  

Since the beginning of its work in Moldova in 2005, EBRD has financed 110 projects, with the investments in the Moldovan economy amounting to over one billion euros. EBRD’s annual portfolio is 447 million euros, earmarked for infrastructure (74 per cent), financial institutions (11 per cent), industry, trade and agri-business (ten per cent), energy sector (five per cent).  

(Reporter A. Mardare, editor L. Alcaza)