The last week of March was filled with events that will greatly benefit the sustainable economic development of Republic of Moldova, influencing the business environment and citizens' welfare.

International Monetary Fund

Republic of Moldova will benefit of new tranche worth 35 million USD from the International Monetary Fund. FMI's mission in our country appreciated the economic and bank progresses.

FMI experts have been in Moldova between March 15 and 27.

The progresses registered to avoid the vulnerability of the banking system, the efforts aimed to maintain the financial stability and straightening the base for achieving the targets, the 4,5% economic growth in 2017 and the investments growth in the economic sphere. We will benefit of 34,9 million USD.

"We will concentrate on the following objectives: we will adopt the budget ratification for 2018, through respecting the fiscal and border reforms. We assume the responsibility to support all the costs. We will analyze all the costs, especially the ones from the educational system. We will try to recover the money lost within the bank fraud. We will provide the implementation of the FMI responsibilities", said Pavel Filip.

Also, Ben kelmanson, FMI chief said that the authorities will continue to take measures that will help to achieve the targets, inclusively, the economic growth.

"I say that I managed to achieve a record with Republic of Moldova authorities. This agreement will be approved by the FMI leadership.

The authorities continue to take measures that will help to achieve the objectives, inclusively, the economic growth and the fight against shadow economy. Thus, there will be offered 35 million USD from the FMI budget for Republic of Moldova. The prognosis estimates to 38,1% GDP.

Also, we will establish the required prices in the context of exchange rate regime. The inflation achieved 7,9% at the end of 2017 and will decrease in 2018. 

The NBM Monetary Policy is currently adequate also in the medium term. The NBM will maintain monetary policy unchanged without excessive food and regulated prices.

Authorities continue to take measures that further contribute to achieve the medium-term objectives. It is also about increasing transparency and ensuring good governance. I want to thank the Prime Minister and we want to continue working with you, "said IMF mission chief, Ben Kelmanson.

First House Project

At least 2 000 people will be able to purchase this year a house through the First House program. Ministry of Finance announced that if there will be more applicants than expected, a proposal was already drawn to modify the budget to accept all requests. Those who wish to acquire their own house can already submit their files to the banks and receive a cred in at most two weeks.

To participate in the First House project, the beneficiary must present an ID, salary statement, as well as a document proving that they don't own another real estate.

"During the first visit to the bank, people are explained what documents they need to prepare, as well as identify the house they wish to purchase. Then, all the documents are sent to the Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises Sector Development" interim director general of ODIMM, Petru Gurgurov explained.

Credits for the First House Project are offered at Moldindconbank, Victoriabank and Moldova-Agroindbank, another two banks will soon join the program.

The project was initiated by Prime Minister Pavel Filip. Only people under 45 are eligible. Beneficiaries must be able to pay in advance 10%, by 3 times less than in other mortgage loans. The advance payment can be bigger if the customers can afford it. A rate of 9.03% was established for the loan, but it will be revised each 6 months. State budget has allocated for this project 1 billion lei.

112 Service

Common emergency number 112 is available starting March 29. According to Prime Minister Pavel Filip, once this system is implemented citizens will have access to modern services, like in European countries.

"After so many years, we finally have the possibility to launch this project. I hold dear to this project, along with the IT parks, because I begun them when I was still Minister of Informational Technologies and Communications of Moldova. Today, we have the possibility to launch the 112 service. It brings us one step closer to EU, where it is already being used. With the implementation of this project, citizens will have access to modern services, just like in European countries, so that when faced with an emergency, they will feel at home just like in EU member states" Pavel Filip explained.

Prime Minister has also declared that the software Moldova uses for the 112 service is the latest one.

"We created common number 112 to bring emergency services closer to people and offer them more safety. The system will make everything automatic. The software used in Moldova for the 112 service is also the latest one. Moldova is the second country from Europe to use it, after Sweden. Modern technologies are changing the world, while this implemented system will allow us better management in complex situations" the official explained.

Once the common emergency number 112 is activated, the number 901, 902 and 903 will be available to the end of June. In 2017, emergency services received over 2.7 million calls, by 10% more than two years ago.