Financial assistance of Swiss Agency for Development, Cooperation to be extended to new projects in Moldova

Chisinau, 07 June /MOLDPRES/ – The financial assistance granted to Moldova will be extended to new development projects. The announcement was made during the meeting of the Parliament Speaker with the General Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SADC), Manuel Sager, the parliament’s communication and public relations department has reported.

Andrian Candu proposed several new areas, which could be supported through SADC. In particular, the Speaker of Parliament spoke of a program that could bring new opportunities for people who wantED to return to Moldova. He also informed partners of the projects and initiatives developed to encourage the development of small and medium-sized businesses. Other projects are focused on education, environment, sustainable development, support for children and young people in difficulty, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and support for non-governmental organizations concerned with the nominated fields.

“Moldova is a priority for us and we are open to contributing to a favorable climate for the development of the country,” said Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SADC) Manuel Sager. The SADC also expressed its readiness to provide Moldovan support for health and vocational education in the upcoming four years.

"We are in need of craftsmen and we have a labour shortage in some areas demanded by the market. A well-trained workforce is a prerequisite for increasing the volume of investment and improving the business climate, especially if it works in co-operation with business," said the Speaker.

He also thanked for assistance 2014-2017 in healthcare, drinking water supply, migration and development. About 40,000 Moldovans got access to quality drinking water, while the impact of investments to diagnose, prevent and control non-communicable diseases is to be assessed over time. The project targets, in particular, rural residents suffering from diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease.

The Speaker pays an official visit to the Swiss Confederation, accompanied by a parliamentary delegation, on 06-08 June. Switzerland is the 4th bilateral donor of the Republic of Moldova.

Also today, Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu met with Swiss National Council President Jurg Stahl and Swiss Council of State President Ivo Bischofberger.

Useful information:

The previous official visit by the Speaker of the Parliament to the Swiss Confederation was in March 2014.

Between 08-10 September 2016, the first official visit to the Republic of Moldova was held by the President of the National Council of the Swiss Confederation, who participated in the festive session of Parliament dedicated to the celebration of 25 years of Independence of the Republic of Moldova.

This was the first official visit to Moldova at the level of Heads of Parliament, since the establishment of the Moldovan-Swiss diplomatic relations on 02 September 1992.

SADC Projects in the Republic of Moldova 2015-2017:

Program "Reaping the potential of migration in the Republic of Moldova 2015 – 2018" – a number of projects will be implemented with the financial support of the Swiss partners of about €5.8 million.

The Diaspora Engagement Hub, with a total of 125,000 Swiss francs, was awarded in four areas – the Diaspora’s professional return, innovative Diaspora projects, regional thematic partnerships, empowering women in the Diaspora.

Contribution to the Trust Promotion Program, which provides for the promotion of confidence in the health sector of the Transnistrian region – SADC contribution of 1.4 million Francs.

"Reduction of the burden of non – communicable diseases" – 4 million 430 thousand Francs to strengthen non – communicable disease diagnosis, prevention and control capabilities, especially in rural areas (diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases);

"ApaSan" – about 40 thousand Moldovan citizens have access to quality drinking water.