WB AND SWEDEN TO ALLOT MOLDOVA US$2.8 MILLION FOR COMPETITIVE AGRICULTURE

Moldova will receive a grant of US$2.8 million from the World Bank and the Swedish Government for the creation of a competitive agriculture in the country.  

World Bank's Country Manager for Moldova, Abdoulaye Seck said at a news conference on Friday, after signing an agreement on the matter, that Moldova needs a new engine for a continuous and more efficient development. In his opinion, Moldova should also increase the exports of agricultural production, as nowadays the national exports “have no immunity” against eventual impediments on the commodity markets.  

Abdoulaye Seck also said that the allocated financial assistance will allow not only improving the quality of the exported goods, but also creating good jobs in this sector.   

Swedish Ambassador to Moldova Ingrid Tersman said that after signing this agreement and after receiving the grant, Moldova will stand greater chances to improve the situation in the national farming sector.   

She also praised the fact that besides the Swedish Embassy and the World Bank, the Moldovan Government is also taking part in the implementation of this project.  

Moldovan Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov said that that within the reformation of the farming sector, a Food Safety Agency has been created in the country. This institution is checking the quality of foodstuffs on the national market and allows attaining good results in this field.   

He also voiced hope that the Moldovan authorities will manage to carry out this project according to the European standards and that the agreement with the EU will ensure a free sales market in Moldova and will help efficiently combat corruption.  

Minister Vasile Bumacov also said that the Moldovan Parliament had passed a Law on Groups of Producers, according to which farming associations will receive US$350 thousand each, for carrying out agricultural activities and for promoting their own projects. He also said that this is only a small part of the possibilities offered to Moldova by this grant. The minister added that the project will be carried out until June 2017.