The Government of Japan offers US$4.8 million worth of grants to Moldova for purchasing agricultural machinery. The money is provided based on a grant agreement, by exchange of notes between the Government of Moldova and the Government of Japan, for implementing the Project “Conservation agriculture – development of a sustainable soil management system in the Republic of Moldova”. The agreement was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Andrei Galbur and Japan’s Ambassador to Moldova Masanobu Yoshii on March 7, IPN reports.

Ambassador Masanobu Yoshii told a news conference that it is a special pleasure for him to start the year of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Moldova with an exchange of notes for implementing the given project. The key goal is to contribute to Moldova’s efforts to reduce poverty and ensure sustainable economic growth. Currently, Japan’s development assistance is offered to Moldova to support industry, including by promoting the agrifood sector and development of SMEs, and to improve public services in health and education.

For developing industry and the agrifood sector, in 2012-2015 Japan offered Moldova over US$20 million worth of grants for implementing the food production growth project 2KR. “Agriculture plays a vital role for the economy of the Republic of Moldova and it is extremely important for the people’s welfare. It is necessity not only to ensure production growth and the quality of food products, but also to efficiently and, especially, durably use natural resources. This is the reason why the Government of Japan decided to support the Government of the Republic of Moldova in promoting conservation agriculture,” stated the ambassador.

Masanobu Yoshii also said that owing to the provided grant, the Moldovans will have access to modern agricultural equipment with a minimal impact on soil. He added that Japan is among the three large development partners of Moldova, besides the EU and the U.S., while the assistance provided during the 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations comes to US$150 million.

For his part, Andrei Galbur thanked the Government of Japan for the assistance offered in such key areas as agriculture, health, education, environment and culture, noting that before the signing ceremony he had a courtesy meeting with the Japanese ambassador where they conferred on the project that is to be managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry.