Memorandum of collaboration with the French Development Agency: Several projects will be implemented
The energy sector is very important for the Republic of Moldova, that's why external partners offer financial support to our country. Recently, the French Development Agency and the ministries of Energy, Finance, Environment and Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova signed a memorandum of collaboration, with several projects to be implemented.
French companies are interested in investing in the Republic of Moldova, and with the opening of the Office of the French Development Agency in Chisinau, several infrastructure projects began to be implemented, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of our country to the French Republic, Corina Calugaru told Radio Moldova.
"There is an interest on the part of French companies in the energy field in our country, in the field of agriculture, and there are separate negotiations with them to see the ways in which we can bring them with investments in our country. And now we are in negotiations to prepare another visit of French companies to the Republic of Moldova, because there is also the element of geographical proximity, of the Republic of Moldova belonging to the French-speaking area, but also of this potential, which is finally seen, and then we are going to offer the appropriate conditions for investments", said Corina Călugăru.
A first installment of 40 million euros from a loan worth 120 million euros from the French Development Agency, for the implementation of reform projects in the energy sector, will be disbursed by the end of this year, said in an interview for Moldova 1 TV, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic in the Republic of Moldova, Graham Paul.
"Two important stages are identified. This year, with the disbursement of 40 million euros, and if all things go well, if the necessary measures are taken, then next year there will be another installment of 40 million. The idea is to really have a political dialogue with the Moldovan authorities to respond to their needs and to "try" to modernize the energy sector and bring it in line with European norms and standards. This is the objective, taking into account not only the energy aspect, but also the environmental or social consequences, much has been said about the energy vulnerabilities of the more fragile population. We want to cover these issues as well," the ambassador noted.
In addition to the 120 million euro loan, our country will also benefit from a technical assistance program financed by a 5 million euro donation granted through the neighborhood investment platform of the European Commission.
