Moldovans working abroad save more money than they transfer home

The Moldovans who work abroad save more money than they transfer home. They use the savings to purchase dwellings, finance the studies of their children and cover other costs. This is one of the conclusions of the survey “Investments, Return and Reintegration of Migrants for Development in Moldova” that was carried out among Moldovan emigrants who stayed longer periods abroad, Info-Prim Neo reports. The survey conducted by the International Agency for Source Country Information and the Center for Sociological, Politological and Psychological Investigations and Analyses CIVIS was presented at a news conference on February 19. They survey covered 2,300 respondents and formed part of the Devinpro Moldova 2009/2010 Project financed by the EC-UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative. Nicolaas de Zwager, director of the International Agency for Source Country Information, said the Moldovan migrants aren’t a category of victims as they achieve results while working for the economies of other countries and solve the daily problems. They go abroad to earn and save money and chose to return home rather than establish abroad. He also said that 80% of the migrants sent remittances during the whole period of staying abroad. This shows that they want to reunite with the family. 70% of the remittances were sent through banks, while 30% through the agency of persons. According to the survey, 50% of the responders said they intend to invest in retail trade, agriculture, construction and different services when they return home. De Zwager said retail trade and service provision are more attractive than agriculture and the purchase of realty for the migrants. Half of the migrants work in CIS countries and have lower incomes than those working in the EU.