The Government of the Republic of Moldova and the Government of Japan signed two agreements compiled by the exchange of notes. Under one of the agreements, US$18.7 million will be lent to Moldova for modernizing agricultural machines and equipment. Under the other agreement, a grant to the value of about US$ 400,000 will be provided for implementing the project to improve the equipment for digitizing publications of the National Library of Moldova, IPN reports.
The loan is repayable in 40 years at an annual interest rate of 0.1%, with a grace period of 12 years.
Japan’s Ambassador to Moldova Yoshihiro Katayama said the Government of Japan realizes the importance of agriculture for the country’s economy and the people’s wellbeing. “We want the modern equipment bought with this assistance to be used in the most efficient manner by the farmers in the country,” the diplomat said in the ceremony to sign the two agreements.
“Through the agency of the other project, we want to contribute to keeping the cultural heritage of the Republic of Moldova, which is so rich. Japan will make a donation for buying equipment systems and technical solutions for digitizing the stock of the National Library and other expert institutions,” stated Yoshihiro Katayama.
The goal of the project is to preserve the cultural and historical resources of the national cultural heritage and to transcribe into a digital format books, works of art, maps, video/audio recordings and other items of the National Library’s collection (about 2.5 million units) and of other partner institutions, such as libraries, museums and archives.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Oleg Țulea said the Japanese loan comes in a period that is very difficult for Moldovan farmers and represents real assistance in purchasing agricultural machines and equipment. “Japan is a reliable and trustworthy fiend of the Republic of Moldova. I’m convinced that the keeping of an internal political dialogue will simulate our multi-dimensional relationship in the future, will ensure greater movement of businesspeople and tourists, will increase university exchanges and will create more innovation opportunities,” stated the minister.
