OREANDA-NEWS. September 09, 2013. This is provided by the amendments to various Moldovan- American intergovernmental agreements which will be signed by Chisinau and Washington. As it is expected, after signing the amendments to the agreements on various projects and programs, U.S. assistance to promote economic growth in Moldova will increase by USD 941.6 thousand and its total size will reach \\$ 27.68 million.

This grant assistance shall continue implementation various programs aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the private sector in Moldova, increasing productive capacity of micro, small and medium-sized businesses and creating new jobs. Another amendment would increase U.S. funding to support local authorities in Moldova by USD 925.8 thousand- up to USD 9.52 million.

These funds will be used to finance investment projects in the regions to implement projects to improve quality of services, financial management as well as energy efficiency at the municipal level. The amendment to the third agreement provides that the USA will allocate an additional \\$ 201.7 thousand for implementation of the Program to strengthen state legal institutions and the overall size of the grant aid will increase up to USD 4.9 million.

These funds were intended to increase the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the judicial system by strengthening the institutional and operational capacity of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary and the Department of Judicial administration as well as the National Institute of Justice.

In addition, the support will be provided to the government and non-governmental organizations to promote reforms in justice and improve monitoring of the process. Particular attention will be paid to automation of judicial process by full application of computerized system of judicial office work.