Moldova's economic revival to be long time expected - Viitorul experts

Chisinau, 4 October /MOLDPRES/ - What happened in 2014-2015 will be felt during a long period of time. The situation is serious in the principal economic sectors, because of the failure in the economic reforms which should have been carried out in the last years, according to a study, Economic Outlook, unveiled at the Viitorul Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS Viitorul).  

“The situation in the Moldovan economy will improve when there is political and economic stability, and the reforms will be implemented with impetus and will be backed by politicians. As a result, the business community will feel the beneficial effects of the reforms. The situation is disastrous in regions, where there are very big economic disparities and problems triggered by people’s exodus,” IDIS Viitorul programme manager, Viorel Chivriga, said.     

As for the relations with the development partners, the expert said there were the first signals of re-launching the dialogue, and positive changes were noticed in terms of assistance; yet, we still have much to work till the relation becomes solid. “We will pay for the mistakes committed by the politicians,” experts said.  

“The forecasts of the beginning of this year have fully come true. The real economy has not generated any inflationist factor. Presently, the increase in tariffs for thermal energy was completed, but the modifications made will not be able to change the general situation; thus, the inflation for 2016 will not exceed two per cent, standing most likely at 1.7 per cent. The key factor in the prices’ stability in 2016 is and will be the currency exchange, the evolution of which has components which are difficult to be subject to predictability. We anticipate a stability of the prices, due, to a great extent, to the electoral period in the end of the autumn,” one of the authors of Economic Outlook, Sergiu Gaibu, said.    

For 2016, IDIS Viitorul experts forecast an inflation of 1.7 per cent, an exchange rate of 20 lei for one U.S. dollar and 22.2 lei for one euro. The agricultural production will record an advance of seven per cent and the retail trade will increase by 2.5 per cent. At the same time, the exports will drop by nine per cent and imports – by five per cent.  

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor A. Raileanu)