Institutional cooperation platform between parliament, World Bank launched in Moldova

Chisinau, 30 September /MOLDPRES/- Current challenges in development of agricultural sector in Moldova, efficiency of public expenses in agriculture, taxes and fiscal policies in the field were the main issues approached at an event of launch of an institutional cooperation platform between parliament and World Bank Office in Chisinau, the parliament's communication and public relations department has reported.

The meeting, which was focused on presentation and debate on World Bank report on efficiency of public expenses in agriculture, is part of a string of joint actions scheduled by parliament, along with a team of World Bank Office in Chisinau, meant to consolidate cooperation between the two institutions.

Attending the event were Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu, WB Country Manager for Moldova Alex Kremer, as well as MPs in all parliamentary factions, economic experts of the WB Office, representatives of ministries of economy, finances and agriculture, specialists within the parliament's secretariat.

Candu thanked the team of WB Office in Chisinau for openness and appreciated the support offered to the parliament by approving a string of legislative initiatives in more sectors, including the agricultural package and the one related to the insurance market and green card.

"Today we launch the institutional cooperation between Moldovan parliament and WB, which will materialize via more events, including a string of presentations and debates on important issues, especially, in the economic sector. Also, we appreciate and thank the WB for supporting our country", Candu said.

For his part, Alex Kremer welcomed the launch of institutional cooperation with the parliament, and expressed satisfaction that the team of experts would have the opportunity to directly talk to MPs about their proposals. "WB plays an important role in an environment often politicised, namely, to present an objective viewpoint, meant to contribute to quality of final act", the official said.

The report is set to respond to a string of questions related to efficiency of public expenses in agricultural sector in Moldova and to propose possible solutions to challenges in the field, generating talks between the participants in the event.

Both MPs and WB experts agreed on the importance of agricultural development for ensuring sustainable economic growth of Moldova, goal assumed by authorities in the Moldova 2020 National Development Strategy.

The participants in the talks formulated a string of proposals and recommendations meant to improve the legislation in the field, including on revision of agricultural subsidy system. In the context, Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister Nicolae Olaru announced that it was already working on revision of subsidy mechanism, so that subsidies should be offered both per hectare and for investments.

By the launch of institutional cooperation with WB, the parliament is set to turn to good account the expertise offered by the institution to Moldova, which will be as support for launching deeper talks on sectoral strategies on Moldova's development.

(Editor L. Alcază)