user), Interpol, IOC, IOM
(observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Ceslav CIOBANU

chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130

FAX: [1] (202) 667-1204

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Rudolf Vilem PERINA

embassy: Strada Alexei Mateevicie, #103, Chisinau 2009

mailing address: use embassy street address; pouch address -
American Embassy Chisinau, Department of State, Washington, DC
20521-7080

telephone: [373] (2) 23-37-72

FAX: [373] (2) 23-30-44

Flag description: same color scheme as Romania - three equal
vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in
center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a
red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green
olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left
talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue
with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in
black-outlined yellow

Moldova Economy

Economy - overview: Moldova enjoys a favorable climate and good
farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy
depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine,
and tobacco. Moldova must import all of its supplies of oil, coal,
and natural gas, largely from Russia. Energy shortages contributed
to sharp production declines after the breakup of the Soviet Union
in 1991. As part of an ambitious reform effort, Moldova introduced a
convertible currency, freed all prices, stopped issuing preferential
credits to state enterprises, backed steady land privatization,
removed export controls, and freed interest rates. Yet these efforts
could not offset the impact of political and economic difficulties,
both internal and regional. In 1998, the economic troubles of
Russia, by far Moldova's leading trade partner, were a major cause
of the 8.6% drop in GDP. In 1999, GDP fell again, by 4.4%, the fifth
drop in the past seven years; exports were down, and energy supplies
continued to be erratic. GDP declined slightly in 2000, with a
serious drought hurting agriculture. Growth should turn positive in
2001.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $11.3 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: -1.5% (2000 est.)

GDP - p