The NBM Governor, Ms Anca Dragu, participated in the second edition of the Romania–Moldova Economic Forum (F.E.R.M.), an event focused on strengthening the economic partnership between the two countries towards a common European future.

The forum, organised by the European Employers' Federation of Business Women (PEFA), under the auspices of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) and in partnership with the Embassy of Romania in Chișinău, brought together representatives of public administration, the diplomatic community, the financial and banking sector, business associations and companies from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, with the aim of turning institutional dialogue into concrete economic cooperation, new investments and joint projects.

In her opening remarks, the NBM Governor emphasised the importance of the strategic partnership between the Republic of Moldova and Romania in identifying opportunities for sustainable and inclusive cooperation.

As part of the forum, Ms Anca Dragu moderated the “Fireside Chat FinanciarELE”, which featured Ms Natalia Bejan, Director of the Investment Agency of the Republic of Moldova.

The discussion focused on the economic cost of gender inequality, starting with women’s access to finance and leadership positions. The participants also addressed challenges in the professional environment, the work–life balance, and structural barriers that limit women’s advancement into leadership roles.

“A stable and competitive economy cannot be built without balanced governance. The equal participation of women in financial decision-making is both a matter of fairness and a fundamental condition for sustainable economic growth. Diversity of perspectives in leadership strengthens institutional resilience and supports long-term innovation. At the National Bank of Moldova, we continuously monitor access to credit for women and women-led businesses, recognising its impact on economic development and the need for broader participation of women both in the business community and in leadership structures,” the NBM Governor emphasised.

Ms Anca Dragu also highlighted institutional projects aimed at promoting women’s leadership, including the “FinanciarELE – Women’s Leadership Community” initiative and the recently launched “Future in Public Finance and Banking” Mentoring Programme, which is aimed at students aged over 16 and university students interested in economics, public finance, the banking sector, investment or public administration.

The discussions took place in the context of the presentation of the “2026 Women’s Entrepreneurship and Leadership Index”, an analytical and monitoring tool that assesses women’s participation and impact in the business environment, providing concrete data on their access to resources, finance, entrepreneurship education and decision-making positions.