Moldovan premier attends celebration of agriculture, processing industry worker day

Chisinau, 19 November /MOLDPRES/ – Prime Minister Pavel Filip today participated in the ceremony on the occasion of agriculture and processing industry worker, the government’s communication and media relations department has reported.

In his speech, the prime minister said that agriculture is a strategic sector in strengthening Moldova's economy, and the government would keep on providing the necessary support to modernize the sector and ensure competitiveness of domestic products on foreign markets.

Pavel Filip referred to measures undertaken by the government in sector’s support, emphasizing growth fund for subsidies in agriculture, financing projects, like: "Livada Moldovei" (The Orchard of Moldova), "Agricultura competitiva" (The competitive agriculture), but also a number of facilities, such as: direct diesel import for agricultural works and farmers' access to irrigation water. "We have managed to stabilize the economy and now forecasts indicate that we will have an economic growth of about 2 per cent this year. A priority for us has been taking steps to improve business environment, including those in agriculture, so that everyone who starts a business or wants to invest in the economy to benefit of better conditions," said the premier.

At the same time, the Cabinet’s head noted the external financing unlock by the approval of the funding program to Moldova by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). "This agreement will allow us not only have access to money from IMF, but also from some other development funds, the World Bank and EU. Totally, by the end of this year, Moldova will take over $110 million, money which will go to support reforms, but more significant, it will go to projects of economy development, including agriculture," the prime minister said.

(Editor A. Raileanu)