Recent data from Moldova’s central financial authority show a noticeable uptick in the country’s gross external debt during the first half of the year. The total rose to 10.242 billion dollars, marking an increase of just under 7 percent from the previous period, as reported by TASS citing the Central Bank of the Republic (CBRM). The debt burden, when viewed as a share of the economy, moved up by 1.1 percentage points to 67.2 percent of GDP, underscoring a tighter link between Moldova’s external obligations and the size of its economy.
The regulator also noted a shift within the composition of external liabilities. Public sector debt climbed to 3.574 billion dollars, which accounts for about 34.9 percent of the total external indebtedness. This change reflects a policy environment where public financing continues to rely on external markets for a portion of funding, even as other sources of capital are pursued to support domestic priorities.
In the same reporting window, Moldova’s private sector external liabilities increased by 5.3 percent, rising to 6.667 billion dollars. This growth mirrors a broader pattern in the region where private sector borrowings from abroad respond to evolving interest rates, exchange rate expectations, and the availability of cross-border credit.
By comparison, external debt levels from a year earlier show a lower baseline. In June 2022, Moldova’s external debt stood at 8.617 billion dollars, illustrating how debt levels have evolved as the economy and financial markets have moved through a period of adjustment and policy recalibration.
In other developments, regional financial press have reported commentary from experts on Moldova’s public finance agenda. One analyst, Sergei Kondratyev, suggested that Moldova aims to settle a long-standing dispute over gas debts with a payment of about 153 million dollars. The expert also cautioned that the country’s oversight and investigations should not be interpreted as a basis for erasing any portion of the debt, signaling a nuanced approach to debt resolution that weighs both legal obligations and commercial realities.
Meanwhile, coverage in broader parliamentary and policy circles has touched on Moldova’s appeals related to gas debt forgiveness from Russia. Critics and supporters alike have debated the merits and implications of such a move, considering the potential impact on Moldova’s credit standing, energy security, and regional economic ties. Observers note that gas debt discussions intersect with wider questions of dispute resolution mechanisms, pricing arrangements, and the role of external lenders in shaping a country’s economic trajectory.
Overall, the year-to-date data emphasize a continuing evolution in Moldova’s external financing mix. Analysts point to a mix of public and private sector dynamics, currency exposures, and the broader environment for external credit. The first half figures serve as an important reference for policymakers assessing debt sustainability, fiscal strategy, and the balance between growth objectives and the need to maintain credible external financing terms. They also illustrate how external obligations can interact with domestic economic activity, inflation trends, and the ongoing management of state guarantees and guarantees-related liabilities across the financial system. In this context, Moldova’s authorities are likely to prioritize ensuring debt service capacity while exploring mechanisms to cap risk and preserve financial stability in the face of shifting global funding conditions. (Source: Central Bank of the Republic, market analyses, and expert commentary)