World Bank will provide about 30 mln USD to Moldova

The World Bank will allocate roughly 30 mln USD to Moldova by the end of June 2008, WB Country Manager for Moldova Melanie Marlett said on Tuesday during the Morning Coffee – a new initiative of the Chisinau Office for a less formal dialogue with the reporters. A sum of 10 mln USD is intended to support the budget, 6 mln USD to overcome the consequences of the drought, while 14 mln USD will go to implement a new water supply and sewerage project. According to Melanie Marlett, most probably, the 6 mln USD offered to alleviate the consequences of the drought will be used for medium-term measures such as purchase of irrigation systems. The issue is being negotiated with the Moldovan authorities. A large part of the 14 mln USD will go to dig new wells and to deepen the existent wells, which will also contribute to overcoming the crisis. Speaking about the future fiscal year, Melanie Marlet said that the financial recourses that will be provided to Moldova are now estimated. According to her, the value of the financial assistance for Moldova for the next years will be stipulated in a new WB strategy for 2009-2012, which will be designed to support the new Development Plan for the next four years formulated by the Government. The new World Bank strategy for Moldova will be worked out in close cooperation with the Government of Moldova and with other development partners of the country. There will be also launched a series of debates as the World Bank wants to be sure that the ideas of all the interested sides are included in the new partnership strategy, Melanie Marlet said.