Moldova expects to begin negotiations with IMF on new program in late Feb - PM

CHISINAU. Feb 12 (Interfax) - The Board of Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will consider the issue of negotiations on a new cooperation program with Moldova and the report of the fund's latest review mission to the country on February 27, Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said.

"We are expecting good news from Washington," Munteanu told journalists in connection with the anticipated start of negotiations on a new program. He was quoted by infomarket.md.

It was previously reported that an IMF review mission conducted work in Chisinau on December 4-17 last year.

In mid-January, Moldovan Finance Minister Adrian Gavrilita said that the country's authorities would send a request to the IMF to begin negotiations on a new program. Several possible cooperation formats are being discussed. "Having a [IMF] program is important for the country, but not necessarily for borrowing funds. Last year, as well as this year, by and large, there are enough funds for investment. Borrowing money for current expenditures in the long term would be wrong," Gavrilita said.

Cooperation with the IMF could be built according to several scenarios, he said.

"The first is a classic program with the provision of loans in exchange for reforms. The second is the stand-by format, where funds are allocated only in a crisis situation. The third option is the policy coordination instrument, which does not involve funding but serves as a signal to other international partners about the government's financial responsibility. Having a program with the IMF facilitates dialogue with the World Bank, the European Union and other donors, and also contributes to implementing projects, including within the framework of the economic growth plan with EU support," he said.

In October 2025, the IMF prematurely completed the implementation of the 40-month ECF/EFF program in Moldova; the final tranche of the program amounting to $170 million was not provided to Chisinau due to delays in fulfilling the financial and governance commitments stipulated by the agreement.

The IMF is Moldova's largest creditor, with Chisinau's total debt to the fund amounting to $1.35 billion.