EU provides support to Cahul region of Moldova in digital economy development sector

Chisinau, 25 March /MOLDPRES/ - The European Union provides financial assistance worth about 6.8 million euros for strengthening the potential of the digital economy, enhancing the local labour force in the information technology field, developing businesses based on innovations, as well as enhancing the competitiveness and attractiveness of the southern Cahul region. The funds are provided through Sweden, within the EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul project, implemented by the National Association of Companies in the Information Technologies and Communications (ITC) Sector (ATIC).    

The key goals of the initiative, which are to be achieved till 2024, were unveiled at a 24 March event on the launch of the project.  

„The European Union supports the development of ITC and the agenda of digital reforms of Moldova. This new project, due to be implemented in partnership with Sweden and in the spirit of the Europe Team, will surely contribute to the completion of the digital difference between the Moldovan capital and southern region and will ensure a fairer economic development among the regions of Moldova, in general. We are confident that the people from the Cahul region and especially the young people will take advantage of the opportunities provided through this innovating support of EU. We expect the modern EU4Innovation Centre to become an attractive place, where a lot of innovating ideas will be materialized,’’ European Union Ambassador to Moldova peter Michalko said. 

For her part, Ambassador of Sweden to Moldova Anna Lyberg said that the IT Regional Centre of Excellence EU4Innovation Centre was meant to be the birthplace of the innovating ideas meant to change the lifestyle. ‘’We believe that the young people, boys and girls, will contribute to the launch of a true technological revolution, which will strengthen the scientific and technological capacity of the entire country, will generate well-paid jobs and will help improve the living standards and, therefore, preserve the talents in Moldova,’’ Anna Lyberg said.  

The partnerships for innovating between the private sector, public sector and the education institutions will be encouraged within the project in the next years.  

EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul is implemented on the period 2020-2024 by ATIC, with the financial assistance of the European Union, in partnership with Sweden. The initiative approaches the social and economic development of the Cahul city and the neighbour settlements, which completes the regional coverage of the assistance for development provided by the European Union to Moldova.   

The project supports especially the economic development through innovation, the entrepreneurship, employment for small and middle enterprises from outside the Moldovan capital, as well as provides opportunities of education to young people, women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). As part of the project, a regional centre of innovation and technology, EU4Innovation Center, will be set up in Cahul and a large group of local residents will be its beneficiaries. The centre’s goal is to have a stimulating effect in the Cahul city and another development zones in the region.   

photo: qubo.md