The government could have discussions with those from the IMF in autumn only, probably in September – October, but steps need to be taken in this regard, economist Veaceslav Negruta, former minister of finance, said in an interview for Radio Free Europe. According to him, it is enough time until autumn and the authorities can yet prove that the government of Moldova can indeed be a dialogue partner, IPN reports.
“The IMF left. They came, saw and convinced themselves that many things are yet not as they should and that populism still prevails in the government’s agenda, while reforms are treated as less important. But the government has sufficient time to understand that the situation, including the financial one, experienced now by Moldova necessitates a different kind of approaches and a different attitude,” stated the economist.
Veaceslav Negruta considers that a new financing agreement with the IMF could be discussed in autumn because there are yet a number of open subjects that haven’t been dealt with by the government. ”I refer to the banking sector and the plan for remedying the situation in it, which hasn’t been yet presented. There are three banks under special supervision and this procedure does not yet have an end result and relevant conclusions. There is also the investigation of the theft of the century that the authorities of Moldova do not advance. These three subjects bother the development partners and the International Monetary Fund,” he said.
As regards the fact that several laws on the baking sector were passed by Parliament last week, the economist said those decisions do not bring credibility or certainty that the authorities are determined to do reforms. An anti-crisis plan is needed, which should include measures to remedy the situation in the banking sector and in the public finances sector.
The former minister noted that the signing of a memorandum with the IMF a condition for having a dialogue with the partners and for unlocking the external financing. There are particular open doors for interest groups here and these should be closed and will thus bring additional financial resources to the budget in the period of three-six months before the discussions with the IMF start indeed.
