Migration is more than the right and freedom to travel and explore the world. The campaign called “Moldova is also my home”, launched today by the General Inspectorate for Migration, highlights the potential of coordinated migration, which supports development through models of cooperation between local communities and foreigners.
Mihail Vodă, head of the General Inspectorate for Migration, emphasized during a press conference that Moldova is an open and welcoming country for all migrants. Among the major tasks of the GIM is the creation of a climate of security and legality, so that the citizens of Moldova can integrate the experience of foreigners for common development in the country’s villages and cities.
“Our colleagues from the Southern Regional Directorate confirm to us that in the free economic zones of Vulcănești and Cahul, there are approximately 30 foreign investors and 25 other resident companies, which number 214 foreign employees. This is just one example that proves that through an integrative approach to migration we all benefit and we can develop various industries, such as grain production, textiles, construction and industrial goods”, said Mihail Vodă.
Attending the event, the head of the International Organization for Migration in Moldova, Lars Johan Lönnback, emphasized that December 18 is the International Migrants Day. “This is a date set by the United Nations General Assembly on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Migrant Workers Convention, in order to mark a special day to express how much migrants contribute as powerful driving forces for their families, the development of their countries of origin and the hosting countries”, said Johan Lönnback, as quoted in a press release issued by IOM Moldova.
Johan Lönnback went on to add that today in Cahul, together with the General Inspectorate for Migration, the IOM marks the beginning of the International Migrants Day celebrations in the Republic of Moldova. He also thanked the staff of the GIM Southern Regional Directorate and the mayor of Cahul for the work done in the processing of permits and the integration of migrants and refugees. “We thank the migrants for everything they do for the Republic of Moldova, as well as those who work in this field to help them integrate,” said Johan Lönnback.
The jurisdiction of the GIM Southern Regional Directorate includes the districts of Basarabeasca, Cahul, Cantemir, Cimișlia, Leova, Cahul and the Gagauz Autonomy. There are currently 2343 foreigners in its records. More than 300 of them have residence permits for work purposes, 1057 for family reunification purposes, 16 for education purposes, 43 for volunteering or religious purposes, and 30 have foreign investor status.
