The main concern of the International Monetary Fund in Moldova is, once again, inflation. IMF Resident Representative Johan Mathisen told a news conference Friday that after a positive trend registered at the beginning of the year, the inflation has increased substantially over the last couple of months. In his words, a strong push is needed to lower inflation down to a single-digit level, as agreed with IMF and in line with the neighbour countries. “It is clear that Moldova will not be regarded as a safe destination for investment until macroeconomic stability is firmly established”, the IMF official said. Johan Mathisen announced that an IMF staff visit is scheduled for September 20. The main discussions of the mission with the Government are expected to focus on the Budget Law draft for 2008, as well as on actions that can be taken to offset the impact of recent food price increases, which will obviously trigger another price hikes. According to the IMF official, fiscal performance appeared to have been better and economic growth stronger than expected, especially in the first quarter. “Of course we are yet to assess the full impact of this year’s drought”, Mathisen said. Johan Mathisen didn’t exclude the fact that, if IFM finds it suitable, it will review the indicators for this year, as it was in 2006 when Moldova was affected by the Russian embargo on Moldova wines. Moldova’s performances under the three-year agreement with IMF are formally assessed twice a year. The next assessment mission is scheduled for late November. The IMF mission will assess, among others, the competitiveness of Moldovan products in external markets, in view of the recent appreciation of the national currency. The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund resumed disbursements to Moldova in early May 2006, after more than a 3-year long break. On 15 December 2006 IMF’s Executive Board approved an increase in the size of the loan to about USD 167 mln.