Optimism comes from EBRD

Libor Krkosca, the representative of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, (EBRD), reconfirmed during a debate the bank is optimistic that Moldova will obtain a twice larger economic growth than the 1.5% growth projected by the Government, Info-Prim Neo reports. Krkosca said there are a number of reasons that make the EBRD take such a view. Firstly, the new agreement between the Government of Moldova and the IMF constitutes a signal to the multilateral and bilateral donors for increasing investments in infrastructure. Secondly, the sums that Moldova will get from the EBRD, the International Investment Bank and the European Neighborhood Policy are known. According to the official, the private investors show an increased interest in coming to Moldova. Now they visit the IMF's representative office and inquire. The Government must be receptive and remove the barriers hindering the investment activity. The economic recovery in the countries of the region, which are Moldova's trade partners, will also play a role. Takhir Mirzoev, the new IMF Resident Representative in Chisinau, said the IMF forecast an economic growth of 1.5%, but the projections will be reviewed in March-April if the situation in a number of areas improves. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar said the GDP decline in the fourth quarter of 2009 will be lower than in the second and third quarters. Certain exports increased, while others do not decrease anymore. The situation in other areas of the national economy also stabilized. “We hope the measures to improve the business environment and optimize the use of money as well as the shift in emphasis in the social protection sector and other steps taken by the Government will begin to show results,” Lazar said.