MOLDOVA’S TRANSITION TO DESTITUTION MOLDOVA’S Moldova’s Transition to Destitution PER RONNÅS AND NINA ORLOVA BY PER RONNÅS AND NINA ORLOVA Per Ronnås is presently the Director of the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies in Copenhagen. His principal professional interest is the economic and social development challenges faced by the socialist/transition countries in Eastern Europe and Asia. Close to the heart of Europe, Moldova has suffered a severe peacetime decline in economic performance and Nina Orlova presently works in Moldova as coordinator of a project support- living standards during the past decade. Exploring differ- ing the reform of public administration and strengthening of local govern- ments, financed by Sida and implemented by the Swedish Institute for Public ent mechanisms both on the macro- and micro-economic Administration, SIPU. levels and in different sectors, Per Ronnås and Nina Orlo- va discuss the external debt, the foreign trade, the politi- cal and institutional development as well as the social effects of the crisis. The conclusion entails tentative lessons for future outside assistance. Sida studies THE SIDA STUDIES-SERIES OFFERS A SELECTION OF THE REPORTS AND STUDIES COMMISSIONED BY DIFFERENT no. DEPARTMENTS AT SIDA. THE SELECTION IS MADE TO REFLECT ISSUES OF RELEVANCE TO SIDA’S POLICIES AND PRACTICES, BUT EACH REPORT EXPRESSES THE VIEWS OF ITS WRITER(S). Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency Adress: SE–105 25 Stockholm, Sweden. Visiting adress: Sveavägen 20, Stockholm. Tel +46 8 698 50 00, e-mail:
[email protected]. Sidastudies no. www.sida.se Moldova’s Transition to Destitution Sida Studies can be ordered by visiting Sida’s website: www.sida.se Sida Studies can also be ordered from Sida’s Information Centre.