National Bank of Moldova governor outlines EU convergence work on prudential equivalence, SEPA accession and instant payments

National Bank of Moldova Governor Anca Dragu spoke at the “Shaping Moldova’s economic future: Governance, Reform and Growth Plan” session linked to the France–Moldova Business Forum, setting out how the central bank is aligning Moldova’s financial framework with European Union standards in support of the country’s EU accession process. Her remarks highlighted ongoing work to gradually align financial legislation with the EU acquis and implement it in practice, including in the context of the EU Association Agreement, EU macro-financial assistance and the Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova. She pointed to the National Bank of Moldova’s joint assessment with the European Banking Authority aimed at securing recognition that Moldova’s prudential framework is equivalent to the EU’s, and cited Moldova’s operational accession to the Single Euro Payments Area on 6 October 2025. On payments infrastructure, she referenced the Instant Payments System MIA, already used by around half of the adult population, with companies able to make 24/7 instant B2B transfers from 2 March 2026, and described capital markets work with the Bucharest Stock Exchange and progress at the Single Central Depository, alongside an initiative to create a new stock exchange in Chisinau in partnership with the Bucharest Stock Exchange and local financial actors. The EBA equivalence evaluation remains in progress, and the planned Chisinau stock exchange was framed as a next step to broaden corporate financing options and support investment.