The continuous decline in the price of oil on the international market, to about US$100 per barrel, can generate price reductions on the Moldovan market. Economic expert Viorel Chivriga has told IPN that a lower price of oil will lead to a decrease in the prices of industrial and food products imported by Moldova. As regards the prices of gasoline, diesel fuel and petrol oils, the expert said that decreases are possible, but they will be insignificant.

“We should ask ourselves why the prices of gasoline and diesel fuel in Moldova do not fall when the oil prices go down on the world market. No excuses can be accepted here. The prices must be dictated by the supply and demand,” said the expert.

Viorel Chivriga considers that if the price of oil decreases slightly, it will go up more when the oil prices on the international market start to rise or stabilize. “Moldova is dependent on what is going on in the economies of the neighboring countries. The decline in the prices of oil and gold at world level can produce few nice surprises in Moldova. As to the gold, we have reduced resources of this metal, of about US$4 million. Some of the dealings in gold and persons who have reserves in gold can be affected,” said the expert.

At the start of April, the oil prices fell by almost 10% compared with the corresponding period last year, to under US$100 per barrel. The price of gold decreased by 20% so far this year. On the New York Stock Exchange, the price of oil was US$1,360 a week ago, a record fall for the last 30 years.