IT Services or Apples? Position Paper on Ways to Remedy the Republic of Moldova's Excessive Current Account Deficit

The paper starts from a long-term deterioration in Moldova's trade balance, with an alarming widening of the deficit, especially in 2024-2025. Substantial current account deficits can increase an economy's vulnerability to currency and debt crises and undermine economic growth.

It addresses three questions: why the current account keeps deteriorating, what can be done to remedy the excessive deficit, and whether exports of apples or IT services are the answer. The paper was prepared under the project “Civil Society for European Integration”, funded by the European Union and co-financed by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Moldova. The project is implemented by the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” as lead partner, together with partner organisations. The content reflects the authors' views, not necessarily those of the EU or the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.