Governor of National Bank of Moldova in Bucharest says Moldova becoming engine of economic growth in southeast Europe

Moldova is no longer just a state in transition, but is becoming an engine of economic growth in Southeast Europe. According to forecasts by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the country will record one of the highest increases in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in the world between 2026 and 2030. Governor of the National Bank of Moldova (BNM) Anca Dragu has made statements to this effect at the high-level regional conference Romania Government Roundtable 2026: The Next Leap Forward for Southeast Europe, held in Bucharest.

During the session, Investments for a More Competitive Europe – the Role of Financial Institutions, Anca Dragu emphasized the transformative role of the financial sector in promoting inclusive growth. The BNM governor also noted that we are currently witnessing an unprecedented period of optimism for the economy of Moldova. According to IMF forecasts, Moldova will record one of the highest increases in GDP per capita in the world between 2026 and 2030. According to the BNM, this dynamic underscores the success of structural reforms and the significant potential to attract foreign direct investment.

Anca Dragu highlighted the progress made in developing the capital market, in order to diversify financing sources. She noted that initiatives to connect to European market infrastructures and to launch modern trading platforms would support the attraction of investments.

“Moldova is no longer just a state in transition, but is becoming an engine of economic growth in Southeast Europe. Our ambition at the National Bank is to build a robust, digitalized financial system that is fully integrated into the European area. At the same time, accession to SEPA and the success of instant payments – MIA – support an accelerated pace of development and facilitate capital flows between Chisinau and European Union countries,” said the BNM governor.

The high-level regional conference, Romania Government Roundtable 2026: The Next Leap Forward for Southeast Europe, organized by The Economist editorial group, brought together government officials, political leaders and prominent representatives from academia and the business community. The discussions focused on strengthening Europe’s unity and solidarity, as well as on Romania’s role as a key player for regional and European stability.

This year’s agenda addressed critical topics, such as regional security, the geopolitical impact of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and the strategic role of Romania and Moldova as pillars of stability on the eastern flank of the EU and NATO.