667-1204

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Asif CHAUDHRY
embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [373] (22) 40-8300
FAX: [373] (22) 23-3044

Flag description:

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; same color scheme as Romania

Economy
Moldova

Economy - overview:

Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite
recent progress from its small economic base. It 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 almost
all of its energy supplies. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy
was underscored at the end of 2005, when a Russian-owned electrical
station in Moldova's separatist Transnistria region cut off power to
Moldova and Russia's Gazprom cut off natural gas in disputes over
pricing. Russia's decision to ban Moldovan wine and agricultural
products, coupled with its decision to double the price Moldova paid
for Russian natural gas, slowed GDP growth in 2006. However, in 2007
growth returned to the 6% level Moldova had achieved in 2000-05,
boosted by Russia's partial removal of the bans, solid fixed capital
investment, and strong domestic demand driven by remittances from
abroad. Economic reforms have been slow because of corruption and
strong political forces backing government controls. Nevertheless,
the government's primary goal of EU integration has resulted in some
market-oriented progress. The granting of EU trade preferences and
increased exports to Russia will encourage higher growth rates in
2008, but the agreements are unlikely to serve as a panacea, given
the extent to which export success depends on higher quality
standards and other factors. The economy remains vulnerable to
higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of
foreign investors. Also, the presence of an illegal separatist
regime in Moldova's Transnistr