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Moldova Country Summary

Sanctions

Medium Concern

FATF AML Deficient List

Low Concern

Terrorism

Medium Concern

Corruption

Medium Concern

US State ML Assessment

Medium Concern

Criminal Markets (GI Index)

Medium Concern

EU Tax Blacklist

Low Concern

Offshore Finance Center

Low Concern

Please note that although the below Summary will give a general outline of the AML risks associated with the jurisdiction, if you are a Regulated entity then you may need to demonstrate that your Jurisdictional AML risk assessment has included a full assessment of the risk elements that have been identified as underpinning overall Country AML risk. To satisfy these requirements, we would recommend that you use our Subscription area.

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Anti Money Laundering

FATF Status

Moldova is not on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies

Compliance with FATF Recommendations

The last follow-up Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in Moldova was undertaken in 2024. According to that Evaluation, Moldova was deemed Compliant for 9 and Largely Compliant for 25 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It remains rated Highly Effective for 0 and Substantially Effective for 3 with regard to the 11 areas of Effectiveness of its AML/CFT Regime.

Sanctions

Moldova, as a UN member, must adhere to sanctions imposed by the United Nations, which aim to maintain international peace and security through various measures. The Security Council has established numerous sanctions regimes since 1966, focusing on issues like political conflicts and nuclear non-proliferation, while also considering the rights of those affected by these sanctions.

In addition to UN sanctions, Moldova faces restrictive measures from the EU and Canada due to the Transnistrian conflict and concerns over human rights violations. These measures include travel restrictions and prohibitions on dealings with listed individuals, reflecting the international community's response to the situation in Moldova.

Criminality

Rating

0 (bad) - 100 (good)
Transparency International Corruption Index 43
World Bank: Control of Corruption Percentile Rank 47

Moldova continues to grapple with significant corruption despite efforts to align with European and international standards. The ruling Action and Solidarity Party has initiated a series of reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and judicial independence, including the establishment of specialized prosecution agencies and new laws targeting public sector corruption. However, challenges remain, such as political interference in the judicial system and limited progress in recovering stolen assets, which contribute to a persistent public perception of corruption as a major issue.

Economy

Moldova's economy has shown modest growth of 0.7% in 2023, recovering from a 4.6% contraction in 2022, largely due to the impacts of Russia's invasion of Ukraine which disrupted trade routes and increased costs. The government is focused on reforming the investment climate to attract foreign investment and mitigate economic challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, while also addressing corruption and improving business regulations.

Moldova is actively working to enhance its investment climate to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), which is crucial for economic growth and recovery from recent crises. Despite facing challenges such as corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies, the government has implemented reforms to improve transparency and reduce barriers for investors. Key sectors identified for investment include agriculture, IT, and manufacturing, with incentives available for businesses operating in free economic zones.

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  • Narcotics
  • Executive Summaries
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  • Key Findings
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