The economy of the Republic of Moldova started to look optimistic, but the welfare of the population remains low. Migration continues to keep up with the lack of jobs. This is the opinion expressed by journalist Victor Ursu in the show "15 minutes of economic realism".

The statistical data show positive dynamics, which is evident in most sectors of the national economy. There are increases in the agricultural and industrial sector due to positive developments in plant production, the intensification of the manufacturing industry, as well as the increase in domestic and foreign demand. Internal trade in goods and services is showing a positive development.

The economy of the Republic of Moldova continues to be predominantly one of consumption with the stimulation of imports. The latest data reveal an increase in final consumption of 3% in the first half of 2018, generally driven by household final consumption, which grew by 3.8% and a contribution to GDP of 3.3 pp.

"One of the factors that determined this growth was the increase in the labor remuneration fund, but also the increase in the remittances of the population, but also by the shadow economy," Victor Ursu believes.

At the same time, an indicator that the Moldovan economy is on the right track and looks good only in statistics is the volume of loans to the business. Credit lending continues to be anemic, even if interest rates on loans are very low. The balance of credits to the economy at the end of August 2018 was lower than the level recorded at the end of August 2017 by 1%, amounting to 38.2 billion lei.

Victor Ursu says Moldovan exports have maintained their upward trend registered last year mainly supported by the performance of the agricultural sector, but also by an increased demand from the EU. Some issues are also indicated. After a period of five quarters in which exports to CIS countries contributed positively to the evolution of total exports, in the second quarter of 2018 their dynamics slowed down, contributing to a moderation in the annual export rate.

For Labor Force, developments do not give reasons for optimism. First, because the number of the employed population remained at the level of the beginning of the previous year, while the number of unemployed diminished, which led to a negative dynamics of the economically active population.

In conclusion, Victor Ursu says that beyond the figures there are still many problems in the economy: productivity does not increase and the industry is stepping on the ground. The economy remains strictly dependent on agriculture with increased risks for production volume in the absence of investment and production markets.

The show is made by IDIS "Viitorul" in partnership with Radio Free Europe.

The statistical data show positive dynamics, which is evident in most sectors of the national economy. There are increases in the agricultural and industrial sector due to positive developments in plant production, the intensification of the manufacturing industry, as well as the increase in domestic and foreign demand. Internal trade in goods and services is showing a positive development.

The economy of the Republic of Moldova continues to be predominantly one of consumption with the stimulation of imports. The latest data reveal an increase in final consumption of 3% in the first half of 2018, generally driven by household final consumption, which grew by 3.8% and a contribution to GDP of 3.3 pp.

"One of the factors that determined this growth was the increase in the labor remuneration fund, but also the increase in the remittances of the population, but also by the shadow economy," Victor Ursu believes.

At the same time, an indicator that the Moldovan economy is on the right track and looks good only in statistics is the volume of loans to the business. Credit lending continues to be anemic, even if interest rates on loans are very low. The balance of credits to the economy at the end of August 2018 was lower than the level recorded at the end of August 2017 by 1%, amounting to 38.2 billion lei.

Victor Ursu says Moldovan exports have maintained their upward trend registered last year mainly supported by the performance of the agricultural sector, but also by an increased demand from the EU. Some issues are also indicated. After a period of five quarters in which exports to CIS countries contributed positively to the evolution of total exports, in the second quarter of 2018 their dynamics slowed down, contributing to a moderation in the annual export rate.

For Labor Force, developments do not give reasons for optimism. First, because the number of the employed population remained at the level of the beginning of the previous year, while the number of unemployed diminished, which led to a negative dynamics of the economically active population.

In conclusion, Victor Ursu says that beyond the figures there are still many problems in the economy: productivity does not increase and the industry is stepping on the ground. The economy remains strictly dependent on agriculture with increased risks for production volume in the absence of investment and production markets.

The show is made by IDIS "Viitorul" in partnership with Radio Free Europe.