Moldovan PM-designate has talks with farmers

Prime Minister-designate Vasile Tofan today met representatives of the agriculture and livestock sectors, as part of the consultations on drafting the governing programme. He emphasized that the sector needed support and investment and that, through joint efforts, Moldovan agriculture can become stronger and more competitive.

Vasile Tofan stressed that drought, high energy prices and rising costs were putting enormous pressure on farmers. Under these conditions, the sector needs investments in technology, irrigation, processing and value-added products, the prime minister-designate noted.

“In a direct and constructive discussion with representatives of agriculture and livestock, we talked about the problems in each sector and the role of the state in their development. Agriculture is going through a difficult period. Drought, expensive energy and ever-increasing costs are putting huge pressure on farmers. The sector needs investments in technology, irrigation, processing and value-added products. Every public leu must be invested wisely and must generate long-term results,” said Vasile Tofan.

Among the solutions put forward by Vasile Tofan for the development of the sector, there are less bureaucracy, better access to financing and more support for producers’ access to export markets.

“There are no magic solutions for drought and no budget without limits. However, there are many things we can do better right now – less bureaucracy, better access to financing and more support for producers’ access to export markets. I thank the farmers for their honest and constructive dialogue. With realism, courage and a lot of hard work, we can make Moldovan agriculture stronger and more competitive,” the prime minister-designate concluded.

President Maia Sandu on July 11 appointed Vasile Tofan as candidate for the position of Prime Minister of Moldova. According to Moldova's Constitution, the designated candidate must request, within 15 days, a vote of confidence from parliament for the government’s activity programme and its composition.

As part of the process of drafting the governing programme and forming the future cabinet, Vasile Tofan has held discussions with all 16 acting ministers. Subsequently, the PM-designate took part in consultations with representatives of the business community, trade unions, employers’ associations, local public administration and civil society.

The discussions will continue, and on July 21, the cabinet of ministers proposed by the candidate for the position of Prime Minister, Vasile Tofan, will seek a vote of confidence from parliament.