IMF Mission evaluates the impact of halting Moldovan wine exports to Russia and the increase in price of natural gas

The current visit of the mission of the International Monetary Fund aims at evaluating the economic situation of Moldova, after Moldovan wine exports on Russian market were halt and the increase in price of natural gas supplies, the members of the delegation stated on Wednesday, July 19 at a meeting with Parliament’s chairman Marian Lupu. According to Parliament’s press release, the speaker noted, during the meeting, that Moldovan authorities are open to cooperate with the international bodies in order to identify short and medium-term solutions for overcoming this situation. Lupu told that, that as result of the increase of natural gas tariffs, not the real sector of the economy will be affected but the house consumers. In this context, the official informed the IMF Mission that, next week, the Parliament will examine in the Bill on Allocating compensations for the population in order to diminish the impact of increase in price of natural gas. On the other hand, IMF Mission welcomed the amendments made recently by the Parliament to the Law on the National Bank of Moldova, underscoring that IMF counts further on the fact that Moldova will comply with the assumed commitments and will keep up the increasing implementing pace of reforms. Concomitantly, IMF officials announced that a mission of the International Monetary Fund will pay a new visit to Moldova, probably in October 2006. IMF Mission, led by Thomas Richardson, will stay in Chisinau until July 21, 2006. The mission discusses with the Moldovan authorities the recent economic evolutions, including the performance of the new program within PRGF. At the end of the mission, IMF representatives will organize a press conference.