Head of State met with JICA President

President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu met today with President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Tanaka Akihiko, who is on the second official visit to Chișinău. JICA is a Japanese governmental organization aimed at supporting economic and social growth in developing countries, as well as promoting international cooperation.

The official's visit underlines Japan's ongoing commitment to supporting Moldova's democratic consolidation and European integration. Maia Sandu welcomed the long-standing partnership between the two countries and appreciated JICA's consistent contribution to raising the living standards of our citizens. The head of state emphasized the importance of cooperation in areas such as: health, agriculture, education and energy efficiency—all essential for improving the lives of citizens.

In the last five years, Japan, through JICA, has provided the Republic of Moldova with financial support worth about 42 million euros in the form of grants and preferential loans. These funds have been used for concrete projects such as:

- Modern medical equipment for five hospitals in the country, contributing to the improvement of medical service quality;

- 19 vehicles for firefighters and rescue teams, aiding in life-saving during emergencies;

- Green technology for farmers: over 1,000 farmers have been supported to adopt sustainable practices, including the installation of photovoltaic systems in 47 farms, totaling about 2.6 million euros;

- Subsidies of about 2 million euros for the acquisition of agricultural fertilizers, aimed at supporting the productivity of local farms;

- Equipping the National Library with modern equipment, enabling the digitization of cultural heritage and easier access to information.

The projects show the importance of the trust-based relationship developed over the years between the Republic of Moldova and Japan—a relationship that makes possible the generous support offered for the direct benefit of citizens.