A total net sum of US$88.83 million was transferred from abroad to private individuals in Moldova through licensed banks this February, a decrease of 5.2% compared with last February. The largest amounts came from the EU – 44.5%, the CIS – 21.7% and the rest of the world – 33.8%, IPN reports.

According to the National Bank of Moldova, remittances from Israel accounted for 20.8% (US$18.51m) of all the transfers, up 3% on last February. Transfers from Russia constituted 20.6%, from Italy – 12.7%, from the U.S.– 8.2%, from Germany – 7.5%, from the UK – 6.2%, from France – 4.5% etc.

Remittances in euros represented 55.4%, an increase of over 10% on last February, in US dollars – 41.4%, a decrease of over 7%, in Russian rubles – 3.2%, a decrease of 2.8%.

In January – February 2019, transfers from abroad to Moldovans came to US$174.82 million, a decrease of 7% compared with the corresponding period last year.

The National Bank said the transfers through banks from abroad do not consist only of remittances sent by Moldovans working outside the country. They also include unilateral transfers, such as local transfers, including in favor of resident private individuals from nonresidents, transfers to nonresidents who astay temporarily in Moldova, pensions and allowances.