The year 2025 was one of challenges for Romania and the Republic of Moldova, and 2026 brings the challenge of building on the transformation which has already taken place in previous years, Governor of the National Bank of Moldova (BNM) Anca Dragu said on Monday.

„The year 2025 was a year of challenges in both Romania and the Republic of Moldova, challenges that we successfully overcame. The year 2026 brings the challenge of building on the transformation which has already taken place in previous years. If we look at the Republic of Moldova’s economy, we see a significant change in its structure, but also in international trade. Ten to fifteen years ago, trade with the European Union accounted for around 30 percent, today it is close to 70 percent. Certainly, the most important trade partner is Romania.
Moreover, we take a look at the economic structure. Fifteen years ago, agriculture was a very important sector, but now it has declined because IT is almost on a par with it, contributing almost as much to the GDP as agriculture. IT accounts for around 8 percent of the GDP and agriculture stands at 10 percent. Overall, services have gone up by more than 50 percent, to around 58 percent, compared to less than 30 percent 10-15 years ago. Thus, we have a transformation of the economy and, very importantly, we have a plan. People in Bucharest often say to me: ‘It is good that you have such a clear goal of joining the European Union.’ Indeed, this is a strong project, with everyone working toward this objective. The National Bank of Moldova is part of the negotiation process. We hold several key chapters in which we are the leading institution – economic and monetary policy, financial services. We have the chapter on capital accounts and capital flows,” BNM Governor Dragu said.

She added that the National Bank of Moldova is present at the negotiations regarding the growth plan, similar to the national recovery and resilience plans of the EU member states.

The MediaUno Group, the National Institute of Statistics (INS) and the Department for Sustainable Development organizes between 3 and 21 November, the 32nd edition of the project called „Together We Protect Romania” – „Bucharest Leaders’ Summit: A Roadmap to the Future.”

The event provides a platform for project debates aimed at understanding Romania’s future, the steps needed in the new global context of cooperation, the reconfiguration of power centres worldwide in various areas of activity from Health, Education, Finance and Banking, Culture and Research, Defence and National Security, Energy, Industry and Services, Construction, Infrastructure and transport, Agriculture to Digitalisation and Innovation.

According to the organisers, more than 300 speakers will map out Romania’s „new roadmap” in Europe and globally, presenting ideas, experiences and innovative solutions for a secure and sustainable future.

Following the official opening of the summit, organized on Monday, 3 November 2025, at the Victoria Palace, specialised conferences will be held from 4 to 21 November at the INS headquarters. AGERPRES