The money transferred home by the Moldovans working abroad in the first two months of this year totaled US$202.7 million, up 14.8% compared with the corresponding period last year, IPN reports, quoting the National Bank of Moldova.

According to independent experts, the rise is due to the economic recovery in the European counties where many Moldovans work. US$1.5 billion was transferred to Moldova last year through banks. Over the last five years, the Moldovans working abroad supported the national economy with about US$7 billion.

Acting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar said in an interview that the remittances are no longer as important for the national economy as several years ago. On the other hand, there were launched a number of programs aimed at encouraging the Moldovan migrants to return home and start businesses in the country with the money earned abroad.