The delegation of the Republic of Moldova headed by the Minister of Finance, Ion Chicu, and the Governor of the National Bank of Moldova, Octavian Armașu, attended the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, which took place on 8-14 April in Washington, D.C..

The discussions focused on issues of global importance, including economic insights, financial stability, economic development and the effectiveness of mutual aid.

During the visit, the Moldovan officials had meetings with IMF and World Bank representatives on the implementation of the International Monetary Fund program as well as the progress of the economic and banking reforms in our country. Meetings were also held with officials from the European Commission, the Council of Europe Development Bank and the European Investment Bank. The Moldovan delegation had bilateral meetings with Mr. Mitsuhiro Furusawa (IMF Deputy Managing Director), Mr. Poul Thomsen (Director of IMF European Department), Mr. Anthony De Lannoy (IMF Executive Director for the Republic of Moldova), Mr. Cyril Muller (World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia), Ms. Elena Flores (Director of the European Commission for International Economic Relations), Ms. Georgina Baker (IFC’s Regional Vice President for Latin America, Caribbean, Europe and Central Asia) and others.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Ion Chicu, and the Governor of the NBM, Mr. Octavian Armașu, held also discussions with Mr. George Kent, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. They talked about the progress made over the past three years by the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the National Bank of Moldova in the fiscal, financial and banking sectors. In this context, Moldovan officials thanked the U.S. support in implementing reforms in these areas. In turn, U.S. Department of State representatives welcomed the results achieved by the Republic of Moldova in the process of reforming the financial and banking system. Mr. George Kent expressed U.S. continued support in the modernization of the Republic of Moldova.

During the visit to Washington DC., the Moldovan delegation had also the opportunity to inform the U.S. business community, government officials, representatives of international financial organizations and analytical centers, and the diplomatic corps on the dynamics in the business environment of our country. The participants appreciated the reforms in the financial sector, acknowledged the economic growth made by the Republic of Moldova and the competitiveness of the country in the region.

The official delegation of the Republic of Moldova was also represented by Mr. Vladimir Munteanu, First Deputy Governor of the NBM, Ms. Cristina Harea, Deputy Governor of the NBM and Ms. Tatiana Ivanicichina, State Secretary of the Ministry of Finance.

The Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank represent a single opportunity to share the experience of different countries in the fields of economic development and financial stability in the globalization context.  During these meetings, there are also featured are seminars, regional briefings, press conferences, and many other events focused on the global economy, international development, and the world's financial system.