Aspirations for European integration open new opportunities for Moldova - WB official

The aspirations for the European integration and steps taken to achieve this desire open new opportunities for Moldova, stated WB Managing Director Graeme Wheeler during a meeting with President Vladimir Voronin held Friday, December 8. Graeme Wheeler appreciated the social-economic developments attested in Moldova in the last six years, as a result of reforms promoted in different fields. WB official also remarked the results achieved in combating and reducing poverty, the level of which has been reduced from 78% in 2001 to 23 % in 2006. Besides, WB official stressed the necessity of intensifying the regulatory reforms in agriculture, continuing the actions aimed at improving business environment and attracting investments. Wheeler voiced WB’s availability to further support Moldova in carrying out reforms and overcoming difficulties related to foreign circumstances. The concrete possibilities of providing assistance to Moldova will be brought up for discussion during the session of the Consultative Group of donors, which will be held in Brussels next week. Head of state sought WB’s support in the process of developing the advanced processing of agricultural production, made in local communities, and in the process of improving road infrastructure.