New headquarter of World Bank opens in Chisinau

The new headquarter of the World Bank Office opened in the 20/1 Pushkin street in Chisinau on Tuesday, April 4. Taking part in the event were the regional director of the World Bank for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, Paul Bermingham, first Deputy Premier Zinaida Greceanii and other officials, including from government and parliament. Bermingham said that Moldova has joined the World Bank in 1992. „The World Bank had a small headquarter at the beginning and the need of a larger office has appeared when the Programme for Moldova has extended. This building is a clear expression of the World Bank’s readiness to continue to long-term relations of cooperation with Moldova,” he added. Bermingham noted that the building will serve both the needs of the World Bank staff and the commitments towards the Moldovan government and it is endowed with modern equipment. Greceanii told the inauguration ceremony that the new headquarter is a direct and visible investment of the World Bank in Moldova and a confirmation of a long-term partnership with Moldova. She noted that the key goal of cooperation with the World Bank is to use efficiently its finances for a sustained economic growth of the country. Grecianii wished a productive work to the WB staff for the benefit of Moldova. Starting 1993, the World Bank has financed 25 projects in Moldova worth 613.4 million dollars overall, of which 436.7 million dollars was already disbursed. They include four adjustment loans and 21 projects financed from loans of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, credits of the International Development Agency and grants. Thirteen out of 25 projects have already been implemented. Also, the Bank assists analysis and consulting activities.