PM says USAID's assistance has important role in backing efforts of Moldova's development

Chisinau, 17 November /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita today had a meeting with Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Samantha Power, on a visit to Chisinau, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.  

After the meeting, the officials held a news conference, during which the Moldovan PM made the following statements:  

„I am particularly pleased to welcome you in Moldova. This is the first visit to Moldova at the highest level of USAID’s leadership and it takes place in an important moment for the history of the Agency, which this month marks the 60th anniversary of its foundation. Dear Mrs. Power, I convey you sincere congratulations on this occasion. 

The United States of America has always proved support and close friendship with Moldova and your visit to Moldova is a clear proof in this respect. We appreciate much the financial assistance and the support for development, provided to Moldova through USAID and other American governmental agencies in the last 29 years.   

In almost 30 years, the American nation has invested more than one billion dollars in Moldova through assistance programmes by the U.S. Government.  

Anyone who travels in Moldova will notice big infrastructure objects marked with the message, USAID, on behalf of the American nation. We see this message on water supply systems, fridges for farming product, tourist boarding houses or wineries. 

Yet, there are also important changes for our country, which cannot be marked with posters – I mean the important reforms backed by USAID during years, such as the regulatory reform, financial system’s transparency, development of the education system, supporting the independent media and the democratic processes. These are entire sectors of the economy, which during time have receives support, consultancy and even financing for certain activities on behalf of USAID – it is about agriculture and agricultural processing, IT, textiles, creative industries, furniture’s production, banking system and other industries.    

No logos can be put on these processes of acceleration of Moldova’s modernization; yet, day by day, they influence the quality of life in Moldova. The fact that these processes will continue means better opportunities to study, to take over practices and know-how, to develop professionally and start and develop businesses for each citizen of Moldova.   

At a today’s meeting with Mrs. Power, we discussed the further consolidation of our bilateral cooperation.    

The USAID assistance has an important role in backing the efforts of Moldova’s development, in stimulating the democratic processes, in edifying a strong society, inclusive and resilient, in strengthening the economic growth, in improving the business environment, which fits also the firm actions of the government for improving the living standards for all citizens.   

We welcome the launch of the USAID Strategy of cooperation for Moldova’s development for 2020-2025, which presents its vision for a new partnership with Moldova’s government and the goal of which is to achieve two development objectives: consolidation of the participatory democracy and sustainable economic growth.  

We also hail the starting of a new USAID five-year programme – Future Technologies Activity, worth 32 million dollars, which regards the enhancement of the competitiveness of the growing sectors of the digital technology and communications from Moldova. This programme is a significant proof of a receptive approach of USAID’s assistance in Moldova.   

While relying on the achievements and investments of USAID in Moldova, I am sure that these projects represent an opportunity both to strengthen the achievements reached so far and to develop new projects to back the efforts of Moldova’s development.

Photo: Government