Beautiful country
Beautiful country
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A Beautiful Nation
Although often cited as the poorest country in Europe, Moldova is a small but beautiful country with a fascinating history, culture and people. Its lush green
hills, dense forests, and the wonderful sunflower fields are a treat to
the eye. The land is very fertile, and vineyards occupy a major part of
the region.
Wine
is an especially powerful symbol in Moldova, it is associated with
quality and purity. The cellars of Cricova and Milestii Mici with their
extensive collection of old wines are considered to be a state
treasure.
The
cultural heritage of Moldova is rich with traditions and customs. Its
professional craftsmanship brought the country an international fame by
making fine objects of embroidery, wood carvings, clay, knit carpets,
metal decorations, baskets of osier.
For all its beauty and Moldovans’ optimistic attitude towards life, the harsh reality is still different.
Poor
economic performance since the country’s independence in 1991 has led
to growing poverty and declining social welfare. Although economic
growth has slightly increased recently the Republic of Moldova still
remains Europe’s poorest country. Poverty is more concentrated in rural
areas where over 70 per cent of poor people live.
Agriculture
provides employment to 40 per cent of population, but it is only half
as productive as it was before independence. The Moldovan economy has
experienced a number of shocks. At first, the conflict with the
separatist province of Transnistria meant that government from Chisinau
lost control over the country’s eastern border, as well as its main
energy and industrial plants. The second major problem was the 1998
Russian economic recession, which hit Moldovan economy hard. In 1998-99,
the country’s industrial output fell by 25 per cent, agricultural
output by 20 per cent and exports decreased by almost a half. It was the
time for Moldova to turn to western market.
The
Moldovan economy experienced moderate economic growth over the last few
years, partly because of money Moldovans who are working abroad send
back home to their families. But like any other country in the world,
Moldova was also affected by global recession that started in 2007. Most
people that were ‘helping’ the economy from abroad were forced to
return home, because they had lost their jobs. The economy is likely to
have a modest recovery in 2010, but remains vulnerable to political
uncertainty, and the skepticism of foreign investors as well as the
presence of an illegal separatist regime in Moldova's Transnistria
region.
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