OREANDA-NEWS. March 03, 2011. Doug Griffith, the project director, said at the meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister of Moldova Valerii Lazar that the project is aimed at further implementation of the first CEEF project (Competitiveness Enhancement and Enterprise Development) expanded at the Ministry of Economy’s request.

The CEED-2 project will be implemented for four years. Its budget will total USD 9.2 million. The main goal of the project is to help Moldovan industrial enterprises find solutions to enhance competitiveness and enter new markets, attract investments and expand export, introduce international quality standards, ensure dialogue between the public and private sectors.

Doug Griffith said the project would extend assistance for few new sectors, including furniture and shoe production. CEED-2 representatives showed their interest in the Ministry of Economy’s priorities for additional support to these sectors. Valerii Lazar said it is already the first concrete step of the strategic partnership announced by the Ministry of Economy of Moldova and the US Embassy in Moldova.

He told about economic results of 2010 and prospects of development in the next four years. Valerii Lazar said achievement of agreements on as much as possible advantageous trade orders with Moldova’s major partners, re-industrialization of the country, creation of workplaces, growth of salaries are the main tasks.

All of them aim to eliminate the imbalance in the economy structure and dependence on the only economic growth motor – money transfers from abroad feeding home consumption by means of import, Deputy Prime Minister urged the project teams to take part in the national foreign assistance coordinating mechanisms to promote joint goals of the government and development partners. 115 enterprises of Moldova from the sectors of IT, light and wine industries have received CEED assistance, increasing sales to USD 84 million and creating 3.5 thousand work places. The project was valued at USD 7.9 million.