The Moldovan leu this year will continue to appreciate against foreign currencies , while the difference between the values of the dollar and euro will remain at 1.2 lei, said experts invited to the talk show “Key issue” on NTV Moldova channel, IPN reports.

Roman Chirca, director of the Market Economy Institute, said the surplus of foreign currencies on the domestic market will persist this year and the leu will continue to strengthen. In 2018, the euro will be more stable and powerful than the dollar. “We now witness, on the one hand, the rise in the price of oil, and, on the other hand, the depreciation of the dollar. Most probably, the euro will be more powerful than the dollar,” he stated.

Roman Chirca said the National Bank of Moldova gradually decreases the exchange rate, giving the impression that it is gathering foreign exchange reserves so that the exchange rate does not fluctuate significantly in situations of crisis. This enables business entities to plan their affairs.

Socialist MP Vladimir Golovatiuc predicted that the dollar will not cost again 20 lei, but the National Bank of Moldova will not allow the dollar to depreciate to under 16 lei. “Next year the central bank will raise the exchange rate of the dollar to 17.5 lei, plus-minus 1 leu,” he stated, anticipating that the difference of over 1 leu between the values of the dollar and euro will be kept this year.