OREANDA-NEWS. December 26, 2014. The European Union transferred the last installment worth 13.16 million euros to Moldova in past October, provided for in the Economic Stimulation in Rural Area Budget Support Programme (ESRA BSP), Deputy Prime Minister, Acting Economics Minister Andrian Candu made statements to this affect.

"Significant achievements have been recorded in rural settlements with this money. Under a national programme on economic support to young people, over 280 businesses were created, 75 credits were provided for other types of businesses via the Organisation for Small and Medium Enterprises Sector Development (ODIMM), and more that 120 businesses were created through the PARE Programme,” Candu said.

Andrian Candu highlighted that 80 million lei of this installment had been spent for setting up more farms and enterprises for processing agricultural products. A business incubator was also created in Ceadir-Lunga with this money.

„At present, the small and medium enterprises generate 30 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but we want to get to the level of developed countries, where the concerned figure is 70 per cent,” Candu said.

The total amount of the installment is of 14 million euros, but 6 per cent of the money was not used, as they were planned for enforcing a draft law on public procurement, which did not enter into force, as the parliament had not managed to adopt this initiative.

„These 94 percent represent a deserved success for Moldova. I saw businesses started with money earmarked by the European Union and I believe that these are important steps for Moldova’s development. The most important thing is that the cohesion between the regions has been achieved. I urge you to see the positive side of this 6 per cent remained unused. On the basis of the debt, a decision was taken to create an independent control body, were contestations may be submitted,” Head of the EU Delegation in Moldova Pirkka Tapiola said.

The European Union provided 72 million euros to the ESRA BSP programme in 2010- 2014.