World Bank USD 10 million credit might be offered in January 2007

The World Bank Country Manager for the Republic of Moldova, Edward Brown, told a news conference on the “Doing business 2007” WB Report on Wednesday, September 20, that the World Bank (WB) USD 10 million credit could be offered in January 2007. According to the official, until this date the credit will be discussed in the Directing council of the WB and the Government of the Republic of Moldova needs to execute “some minor administrative procedures” in order to accept the agreement. The WB credit is meant for budgetary support. The Government has presented the draft of the 2007 Budget law, and the chapter incomes already included the negotiated World Bank credit. The minister of Finances, Mihai Pop, declared that the money will be used for road maintenance. Edward Brown also added that the WB is also trying to help in other ways, and that in the current fiscal year resources with a total value of USD 30–35 million. „We will continue partnership with other donors and we will continue to grant the Republic of Moldova the support it needs to reduce poverty and assure a steady growth”, the WB official emphasized. When inquired whether the recent Government reshuffling, caused by the dismissal of the ministry of Economy, Valeriu Lazar, could influence the collaboration between the WB and the Republic of Moldova, Edward Brown expressed his hopes that this fact will not change the relations between the two sides.