Even if official statistics show that foreign trade grew in 2022, in reality this declined, said expert in economic policies of the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives “Viitorul” Veaceslav Ioniță. According to him, Moldova last year imported a lower volume of goods than in 2021, but paid more for them due to the higher prices. The same happened in the case of exports. The exported volume was lower, but the pieces were higher, IPN reports.
The economist noted that important influence on foreign trade is exerted by the Transnistrian region. Particular goods from the region are exported as being from the Republic of Moldova. But these should not be taken into account as they do not show the state of affairs on the right bank of the Nistru.
Veaceslav Ioniță said that Moldova’s exports last year grew until July and then had been stagnant for five month even if the war in Ukraine influenced the imports and exports from and into this country up. The exports are even expected to decrease the next few months this is a reason for concern.
According to the expert, the oil products exported to Ukraine grew 20 times in the second half of 2022, reaching US$540 million. But this has nothing to do with Moldova’s economy and this situation should not be reflected in Moldova’s foreign trade. The goods purchased from Ukraine go to Romania through the Republic of Moldova and those bought from Romania go to Ukraine also via Moldova. In the second half of 2022, there were serious signals warning that the developments in the Moldovan economy are not good.
“Without clear policies to encourage and develop the sectors oriented to export, our exports will not grow. 2022 should not be regarded as a positive year. It was a worrisome year that should teach us to take correct decision for our foreign trade to be a reflection of the positive situation in the economy. Currently, our foreign trade shows the situation in the economy is rather difficult. The real growth in Moldova’s exports in 2022 was practically equal to zero,” concluded the economist.
