IMF forecasts 3.5-per cent-increase in Moldova's economy in 2018

Chisinau, 18 April /MOLDPRES/- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised downward the growth estimate of the Moldovan economy to 3.5 per cent in 2018 compared to 3.7 per cent as forecast in October last year.

The economy of Moldova will grow by 3.5 per cent in 2018 and 3.8 per cent in 2019, the IMF predicts in the World Economic Outlook, April edition. The forecasts are above the average in CIS. The Monetary Fund anticipates an average economic growth for CIS countries of 2.2 per cent in 2018 and 2.1 per cent in 2019.

Moldova is ranked second among the Eastern Partnership member countries after Georgia, which economy will grow by 4.5 per cent in 2018 and 4.8 per cent in 2019. Experts expect Ukraine’s economy to grow by 3.2 per cent and 3.3 per cent respectively.

The IMF revised downward forecast on inflation rate at 4.7 per cent, compared to 5.3 per cent as estimated in October last year. According to the latest report of the fund, the current account deficit of Moldova will be 3.7 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product, a relatively more optimistic forecast than the autumn 2017 when it predicted a deficit of 4.0 per cent.

The Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure expects an economic advance by 3 per cent in 2018, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – 3.5 per cent. The Moldovan economy will grow by only 4 per cent in 2018 compared to the previous year, according to the experts of the Expert Grup centre.

According to the National Statistics Bureau, in 2017 Moldovan economy grew by 4.5 per cent to over 150 billion lei, over the forecasts of authorities and experts. The Ministry of Economy expected a GDP value of 148.7 billion lei and an increase of 3.5 per cent. The IMF and World Bank also anticipated a 3.5-per cent-increase in the Moldovan economy, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – 3.0 per cent.

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor L. Alcază)