Ukraine<\/strong><\/a>, from where it imports all of its energy supplies.\u00a0 With an economy relying mostly on agriculture, Moldova\u2019s GDP in 2012 was of $12.36 billion, lower than the one in 2011 – $12.46 billion \u2013 but higher than the one on 2010 – $11.66 billion. In 2009, Moldova experienced a 6% contraction of the GDP as an effect of decrease in remittances and an increased unemployment. While in 2010 and in 2011 Moldova had an economic growth rate of 7.1%, respectively 6.8%, in 2012 it registered a negative growth of -0.8%. With a GDP per capita of $3,500, 21.9% of the Moldovans live below World Bank\u2019s poverty line. In the fall of 2009, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) allocated to Moldova $186 million in order to cover its immediate budgetary needs. Shortly after, Moldova signed a program worth $574 million. While the government’s primary goal is EU integration, Moldova has made some market-oriented progress. But the country is pulled back because of corruption and strong political forces backing government controls. As for long-term challenges, Moldova’s economic future remains vulnerable to political uncertainty, vested bureaucratic interests, the concerns of foreign investors, weak administrative capacity and higher fuel prices as well as the presence of an illegal separatist regime in Moldova’s Transnistria region.<\/p>\n