The Moldovan lei, which is at its 27th anniversary, was a witness to the formation of the independent state Republic of Moldova and was marked by all the events that took place during its history. But the national currency is not only a symbol. It is first of all an important pillar of the national economy. The currency is strong as long as it is backed by a healthy and robust economy. The building of such an economy should be of national interest, National Bank governor Octavian Armașu stated in an event held to celebrate the 27th anniversary of the introduction of the Moldovan leu, IPN reports.

The governor noted that the national currency is not only an attribute of the state. It plays a very important role in the economy. The number of cashless payments during the last few years has increased. More than 18 million payments with cards issued by licensed banks were made in the third quarter of this year, an increase of 39% on the corresponding period last year.

“The improvement of the quality of the national currency and stimulation of cashless payments are among the National Bank’s strategic objectives. To achieve these, the NBM permanently contributes to the promotion of cashless payments and plans to implement an innovative payment instrument, which has the capacity to immediately process payment messages, in 2021-2022,” stated Octavian Armașu.

On the occasion of the 27th anniversary, the NBM puts today into circulation eight commemorative and jubilee coins as legal tender and for numismatic purposes. One of the coins is the “Traditional Ornament” of the series “Holidays, Culture and Traditions of Moldova”. This represents important moments of the spiritual life and century-long traditions of the nation as a component part of the national-cultural heritage.

Also on November 27, there was mounted an online exhibition of coins of the collection of the National Museum of History, centering on the circulation of coins in Moldova starting with the fourth century. In the end, the participants could take part in a thematic quiz about the Moldovan leu. The first five winners were awarded sets of coins.

The Moldovan leu was introduced on November 29, 1993.