Regional development agencies to change local development concept in Moldova

Chisinau, 06 July /MOLDPRES/ – The Regional Development Agencies (ADR) of Moldova will undertake more needed actions as to change paradigm within field. Following the accumulated experience during over a decade of activity, representatives of the agencies called into question on 05 July a number of identified issues and proposed scenarios for better field development.

The discussions were guided by international and national experts, assisting the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment (MADRM) in developing process of a new regional development paradigm, focusing on economic stimulation and increasing regional competitiveness.

The Director of ADR Centre, Viorel Jardan, mentioned the importance of remodelling current regional development framework and creating an efficient and lucrative mechanism in all activities carried out by all involved institutions within regional development process.

At her turn, head of ADR Sud, Maria Culesov, said that "a regional development agency must have a so – called internal architecture" and referred to procedures carried out to implement exact projects.

Also, it was discussed the existing role of most important decision – making structure at regional level – Regional Development Council (CRD). According to meeting participants, CRD remains an operational, very cumbersome structure that poses issues of quorum gathering but also fails to harmonise sufficiently the interests of the actors involved in the process.

Another theme of discussions was the elaboration of a concept of public policy proposal for urban development in Moldova. The new policy objective is to develop a network of poles of growth/urban areas that are functional and attractive for inhabitants, investors and tourists of Moldova.

The international experts emphasised significance of new, more effective solutions for institutional framework of regional development, which should take into account best international practices and lessons learned as well as environmental, social and gender issues.

The experts assistance in elaborating urban development policy and new paradigm concept of regional development based upon competitiveness and economic development is possible due to provided support of project: "Modernizarea Serviciilor Publice Locale în Republica Moldova" (The modernisation of local public services in Moldova) implemented by German International Cooperation Agency.

(Reporter L. Grubii, editor L. Alcaza)