The National Bank of Moldova said Governor Anca Dragu is attending the Conference of Governors of Francophone Central Banks in Phnom Penh from 28 to 30 May, where the main theme is central bank autonomy in the face of state and public expectations. In a panel on the scope of monetary autonomy, she reviewed the development of Moldova’s banking system since independence and said anchored inflation expectations depend on central bank independence, credibility and transparent public communication. Dragu also cited the structure of the banking sector, with about 95% of banking assets managed by European investors, and recent sovereign rating actions by Fitch, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s in support of her description of the regulatory framework and the sector’s structural strength. Conference discussions also covered recognition of the equivalence of Moldova’s banking prudential framework with the European Union under European Banking Authority methodology, as well as the economy-wide impact of operational connection to the Single Euro Payments Area. On the sidelines of the conference, Dragu discussed cooperation among francophone central banks with National Bank of Cambodia Governor Serey Chea. Further bilateral meetings are planned with European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, National Bank of Belgium Governor Pierre Wunsch and Bank of France Governor François Villeroy de Galhau on bilateral cooperation and support in several areas, including Moldova’s European Union accession negotiations.