OREANDA-NEWS. July 30, 2010. This is stipulated by the Memorandum-agreement on regional development signed today in Chisinau between the Government of Moldova and the Department of International Development of the Government of Great Britain.

The document was signed by Prime Minister of Moldova Vladimir Filat and Ambassador of Great Britain to Moldova Keith Shannon. At the briefing they noted that these funds were aimed at the implementation of policies on regional development and realization of projects on infrastructure development by Moldavian Government.

Particularly, the money will be transferred to the National Fund for Regional Development in order to finance the projects on development of road infrastructure, improvement of the access to the drinking water and sewage systems, development of tourism and private business, protection of environment, that were selected in May 2010 by three Regional Development Agencies, created in priority regions on the North, the South and the Center of Moldova.

Vladimir Filat emphasized the importance of supporting the regional development in Moldova, where 70% of poor people are living in rural area. Keith Shannon noted that the Government of Great Britain would continue to support the economic reforms in Moldova in order to provide the stable economic growth and reduce the level of poverty, and the process of European integration of the country.

The head of the Cabinet reminded that three Regional Development Agencies had been created, the Regional Development Strategy had been elaborated, and the priorities for every region had been determined. In the National Regional Development Fund the Government provided 135 million leis for 2010.

Local authorities presented 135 projects on regional development. As a result of competition, 89 projects were selected, out of which 45 referred to infrastructure development, particularly, construction of roads and water supply systems. The Premier thanked the Government of Great Britain and the Britain Ambassador personally, as well as the partners on development for the assistance rendering to Moldova and assured them the Government would continue to implement its obligations on regional development.