OREANDA-NEWS. July 30, 2012. Commenting on the study of the Independent Analytical Centre Expert-Grup "MEGA - an analysis of economic growth in Moldova: July 2012" with projected slowdown of economic growth in the country of 1.2% for the year, Deputy Economy Minister Octavian Kalmyk noted that there is indeed observed trends similar to the crisis of 2008-2009, but the critical point Moldova has overcome in the I quarter of this year, as reported in various areas of economic downturn is against the background of GDP growth. Kalmyk noted that there are two industries, whose share in GDP has declined substantially - it is energy and agriculture.

"The policy of the Ministry of Economy in recent years aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing energy component in the final cost of production. Therefore, reduction of energy consumption is a positive result of the implemented policies aimed at improving of competitiveness of the national products ", - said Deputy Minister of Economy. With regard of the agricultural sector, in the opinion of Kalmyk, the industry is declining, but the revenues in this area remain high - both in Moldova and in the region.

According to him, despite the fact that the industry registered decline, the results of I half indicate that by the end of the year the situation will improve due to mining and large infrastructure projects under implementation. Speaking of foreign trade, the deputy minister of economy said that growth at 4.9% of Moldovan exports, given the crisis in the EU can be characterized as "modest, but steady."

At the same time, amid slowdown of exports to the EU, increased exports to the CIS countries (11%). Imports in Moldova since the beginning of the year grew by 5.2%. Wages in the country grew by 4.2% and an upward trend will continue until the end of this year. Recall, Expert-Grup predict the following macroeconomic indicators for 2012: GDP growth at 1.2% of exports - by 1%, imports - by 2.5% of consumption - by 2.8% inflation - 4.1 %, and investment will remain at last year's level.