Domestic market practically lacks potential. Info-Prim Neo’s interview with Oxana Ionova, the president of the central bank of the Transnistrian area

[- How hard has the world crisis affected the area’s economy?] - The crisis hit the strongest by later 2008 and the beginning of 2009. In order to keep the (Transnistrian) ruble, the central bank has sold significant amounts of currency from its reserve. Because of speculations, there have been cases of instability on the currency market. The banks have been instructed not to deviate more than 10% from the official buying-selling rate. [ - What other measures have been undertaken?] - Joint measures are enforced by the economy and finance ministries to stabilize the economic situation and to minimize the consequences of the financial-economic crisis on the Transnistrian economy. Moldova imposed a blockade for the Transnistrian companies. Under these circumstances, we pay heed to the world macroeconomic trends when we make decisions. [- What shall we expect?] - The crisis impact over the Transnistrian economy has an indirect effect by the economic processes in the countries which are our key business partners. Unfortunately, the domestic market has no potential. Transnistria depends on the external trade to a great extent. That’s what the official statistics show, that’s what CEOs say.