A delegation from the National Bank of Moldova (NBM), led by Governor Anca Dragu, is participating in the Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which are taking place in Washington, D.C., United States, from 13 to 18 October 2025.
The NBM's participation in these meetings comes at a time when the Republic of Moldova is achieving notable results in the process of financial modernisation and European integration.
For the economy of the Republic of Moldova, the year 2025 marks its integration into the European euro payment system through accession to SEPA. On 6 March 2025, Moldova became a member of SEPA, and on 6 October, banks began conducting transactions within this system, which enables fast and secure payments and brings Moldovan citizens and businesses closer to the European economic space. At the same time, the operational launch of SEPA strengthens international partners’ confidence in the solidity of Moldova’s banking system.
The assessment missions carried out under the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) conducted by the IMF and the World Bank and successfully completed, mark an important milestone in the analysis of Moldova's financial system. This assessment provides an in-depth and objective analysis of the quality of banking regulation and supervision, conducts stress tests for banks in the Republic of Moldova, evaluates crisis management capabilities, and examines how the financial system supports access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises and other key economic sectors.
The progress made by the NBM in strengthening financial stability, institutional independence, and alignment with European regulatory standards demonstrates that the reforms carried out by the Moldovan authorities are geared toward a modern, competitive, and inclusive economy.
These topics, along with other issues of interest to the financial and banking system, will be addressed by the NBM delegation during bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings, with a focus on strengthening international cooperation and ensuring financial stability.
Discussions will take place with high-ranking officials from the IMF and the World Bank, including Kenji Okamura, Deputy Managing Director of the IMF; Alfred Kammer, Director of the IMF's European Department; Jeroen Clicq and Marnix van Rij, Executive Director and Alternate Executive Director for the Republic of Moldova at the IMF, respectively; Eugene Rhuggenaath, World Bank Executive Director for the Republic of Moldova; Antonella Bassani, Vice President of the Europe and Central Asia Region at the World Bank; and Alfonso Garcia Mora, Vice President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Meetings with other international financial partners are also planned.
The NBM delegation is participating in the Annual Meetings alongside officials from the Ministry of Finance, as part of the ongoing effort to ensure effective cooperation among the authorities of the Republic of Moldova in promoting macroeconomic stability and implementing structural reforms. These meetings provide a framework for international dialogue on economic and financial policies, while also offering an opportunity to strengthen Moldova's partnerships with key global financial institutions.
