SUA encourages Moldova to meet challenges of Compact Programme

It is time for Moldova to have grand dreams and work hard, because a successful offer will grant it the status of beneficiary country of the Compact Programme within the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and this would mean assistance of millions of dollars for Moldova’s development, Ambassador of the United States in Chisinau Michael D. Kirby told a press conference on Friday, January 26. He mentioned that the mobilisation of the knowledge and the energy of all the citizens will be needed in order to initiate this process. A work group will have to be created, including representatives of the different governmental sectors and civil society representatives. The US wishes that the entire county would benefit from this project, not only big cities, but also rural zones. At the same time, all ethnic groups should profit from funds, including the left bank of the Nistru River. The US Ambassador encouraged the leaders and the civil society from the region to get involved into discussions which would lead to a successful Compact Programme. First Deputy Prime Minister Zinaida Grecianii specified that Moldova Compact Plan will focus on the economic growth and poverty reduction via major investments, aiming at the elimination of impediments on the path towards economic growth. Local and regional level events will be organised, through the involvement of the civil society, private sector, business environment, local authorities in the process of working out the Plan, which is to be held from “from lower level to the higher one”, meaning that proposals would come from the local level, Greceanii mentioned. John Hewko, head of the MCC delegation told the news-conference that the USA requests that eligible countries should appoint a contact person and create a technical team which would be financed and which would work out a programme proposal, including the engagement of attaining the objective of poverty reduction and economic growth. In November, the MCC Board of Directors named Moldova eligible for Compact assistance. In October, MCC Board of Directors approved the decision to offer the R. of Moldova a grant of USD 24.7 mln, within a preliminary programme of MCC, in order to support anti-corruption activities. Since 2004 when it was founded, MMC approved agreements estimated at USD 3 bln with 11 countries: Armenia, Benin, Cape Verde, El Salvador, Georgia, Ghana, Honduras, Madagascar, Mali, Nicaragua and Vanuatu.