Ethnic conflicts have infringed upon economic stability. Moldova has a small, agrarian economy and imports many of its industrially produced goods. Services and commodities are therefore reliant on outside economies. However, some electrical plants can be found in Dnestr. Commercial life was brought to a standstill and the city was left with paralysed transport and water systems, halted production lines and darkness.
Many businesses are still closed.
The Moldovan President, Ion Sturza, stated that Dnestr was demanding that Chisinau pay USD 31 million in debts for power supplies. Unpredictability and lack of cooperation between the Slavs and the Moldovans jeopardises the resolution of ethnic tensions and complicates political and economic development. In Moldova economic development is limited. Crises in Russia, Romania and Ukraine have raised the cost of imports and sent Moldova cascading into bankruptcy. Fuel shortages in Ukraine have reduced supplies to Moldova.