Japan government will release 5.4 million dollar grant to Moldova

The Kiev-based Japanese ambassador to Moldova, Mutsuo Mabuchi, signed two agreements on sustenance of small- and medium-sized enterprises and agricultural producers in Moldova on Friday, March 3. The grant is worth 620 Japanese yens or about 5.4 million dollars overall. Economics and Trade Minister Valeriu Lazar and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Anatolie Gorodenco signed the document on behalf of Moldova. The Japanese diplomat noted that both agriculture and small business are the most important sectors in Moldova’s economy and the grant could contribute to some progresses. „The 2KR Project in Moldova enjoys the greatest success compared with other countries of the world,” Mabuchi underlined. Lazar told journalists that the grant for structural reforms aims to change the economic structure focussed on industrial production. He noted that the competitiveness of Moldovan goods on the foreign market will grow due to this grant, while the volume of exports will increase and new jobs will be created. Small- and medium-sized businesses will be eligible for this project and they will be provided industrial equipment in leasing. According to Lazar, the first part released last year accounted for 2.5 million dollars and the Japanese government added another million dollars this year and reviewed the conditions of participation. Thus, projects in the rural areas will be mainly supported, as Chisinau-based enterprises have benefited of the first part and implemented 18 projects. Agriculture Minister Anatolie Gorodenco said that the agriculture is the main branch of the national economy and it needs large investments for development. The grant of Japan is considerable and welcome in this regard. By signing this document, the Japanese government will release the fifth part of the grant in the shape of agricultural hardware worth 220 million yens or 1.9 million dollars. The 2KR Project is being implemented in Moldova since 2001. Moldovan farmers have received new 1,800 agricultural units in the period concerned, including more than 1,000 tractors and 60 harvesters. More than 700 agricultural producers from all districts of Moldova who have been selected at a contest benefit of this equipment. The grant released at the four stages exceeds 10 million dollars. Gorodenco and the Japanese ambassador discussed the possibility to implement a new stage of the biomass use project, which could be implemented in 120 localities of the country to install heating boilers in public buildings. Such a boiler was put into operation in the Sangerei district last week. The Japanese government has allocated 47.7 million dollars to Moldova until now.