Moldovan economics minister, IMF experts discuss macroeconomic developments of national economy

Chisinau, 16 February /MOLDPRES/ - Deputy Prime Minister, Economics Minister Octavian Calmic today had a meeting with a team of experts of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on a 16-28 February working visit to Moldova. The sides discussed the macroeconomic developments of the national economy on the last period, reforms in the energy sector, regulation of the state enterprises, as well as programmes on privatization implemented by Moldova’s authorities.   

According to the Economics Ministry’s press service, within the dialogue, Octavian Calmic reviewed the latest developments in the economy and the progress made by the authorities in implementing the programme with IMF. Also, the deputy prime minister unveiled the economic results from 2016 and the macroeconomic forecasts for 2017, worked out by the Economics Ministry, actions undertaken by the authorities to modernize the energy sector, including the legal framework, making more transparent the procedures of purchasing energy sources, as well as in terms of enhancing the independence of the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE), in line with the international requirements.        

The sides exchanged opinions on achieving the objectives taken by Moldova in the process of implementing the programmes signed with IMF and agreed on a deeper analysis at sectoral meetings, due to be organized during the evaluation mission.    

The experts’ team of the International Monetary Fund was led by Ben Kelmanson, who in last January took over the office of head of IMF mission from Ivanna Vladkova-Hollar, who accepted a new position at the Office of the IMF Director General.   

The Moldovan authorities’ programme for three years, backed by the IMF, was approved on 7 November 2016. It is financed by a loan worth 129.4 million Special Drawing Rights (a sum equivalent to 176 million dollars and 75 per cent of Moldova’s share at IMF), of which 26 million SDR (about 35 million dollars) has been already disbursed.   

(Reporter A. Mardare, editor M. Jantovan)