The visit of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) delegation, led by Governor Anca Dragu, to Washington, DC, from 21 to 26 April 2025, concluded with their participation in the “Regional Economic Outlook” event, organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) - a forum for dialogue between global financial leaders and international investors.
During this event, the Governor of the NBM delivered a speech in which she highlighted the resilience of the Republic of Moldova’s economy, its commitments to macroeconomic stability and sustainable financial reforms, while emphasizing the challenges in the region. “In spite of the uncertain geopolitical and economic context, the Republic of Moldova is demonstrating that it can move forward on the path of reforms and European integration. Strong international partnerships and responsible investment are necessary to ensure long-term stability and prosperity,” said Ms. Anca Dragu.
The event brought together over 50 leaders from Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe - central bank governors, finance ministers and senior officials - to discuss policies to strengthen resilience and boost growth in the region.
During the visit, the NBM delegation held a series of high-level meetings with international financial institutions and strategic partners, such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, international investors, and representatives of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, etc. The purpose of these discussions was to strengthen external partnerships and address important issues for economic resilience, managing inflationary pressures and supporting the European path of the Republic of Moldova.
One of the central topics was the implementation of the IMF-supported program for Moldova, together with the launch of the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP), at the request of the NBM, aimed at providing an objective picture of the country's financial system and facilitating the necessary reforms in line with international standards, such as Basel III.
During the meetings with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, including with Scott Rembrandt, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Strategic Policy, and Brian McCauley, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe and Eurasia, issues related to strengthening international cooperation, as well as combating money laundering and terrorist financing, were addressed.
The visit also included participation in a high-level debate organized by the World Bank on the topic of financial inclusion as a driver of sustainable development in Europe and Central Asia. In her speech, the Governor of the NBM highlighted the progress made by the Republic of Moldova in the digitalization of financial services, as well as initiatives to broaden the population’s access to modern financial instruments.
Bilateral meetings with the leaders of the IMF and the World Bank Group, held at the outset of the visit, were also an important part of the agenda. The discussions reinforced the commitments to structural reforms and highlighted Moldova's progress in maintaining macroeconomic stability, as well as the central bank's reform agenda in the context of Moldova's integration into the SEPA area and the European Community.
In Washington, the NBM delegation also took part in the meeting of the IMF and World Bank Constituency, of which the Republic of Moldova is a member. The leaders of the member countries discussed the main current economic and geopolitical challenges, with a focus on the impact of regional conflicts and the need to strengthen international solidarity. Moldova, together with the other Constituency member states, reaffirmed its strong support for Ukraine.
