The launch of a new call of proposals financed from the National Fund for Regional Development and examination of the new National Strategy for Regional Development (NSRD) for 2016-2020 were among the main topics discussed at the National Council for Regional Development Coordination (NCRD) meeting on 10 March 2016. Minister of Economy Octavian Calmic was the moderator of the meeting. At the meeting, the results of NSRD implementation in 2010-2012 and 2013-2015 were presented.
According to minister Octavian Calmic, a balanced and sustainable social-economic development on the entire territory of the Republic of Moldova is one of the Government’s objectives. Through the implementation of regional development projects quality public services and utilities will be created, which fact will lead to a sustainable growth in all the sectors of national economy.
On presenting the results of NSRD implementation in 2013-2015, Ministry of Regional Development and Construction (MRDC) representatives noted that a total of 26 regional development related projects were carried out during the mentioned period and sector regional planning was continued in four sectors: water and sanitation, solid waste management, energy efficiency in public buildings, regional and local road construction, etc.
‘We will propose to amend the law on regional development in the Republic of Moldova, in order to increase the allocations from the state budget for the NFRD, from 1% to 3%. The objective is to implement a greater number of projects and ensure a balanced development of regions. A new call for proposals will be launched soon and we hope for a larger coverage of projects in the regions of the country’, said Vasile Bitca, minister of Regional Development and Construction.
As a result of projects’ implementation during the given period, a number of major objectives have been achieved. In the field of drinking water supply and sewerage were constructed: 129,9 kilometers of water supply networks, 26,87 kilometers of sewerage, 1 drinking water treatment plant and 1 wastewater treatment plant. As to the road infrastructure, a total of 68,168 kilometers of road was improved. Speaking of solid waste management the following was achieved: 2 solid waste management centres were constructed, 4 temporary landfills were arranged, Salubritate Soldanesti S.A. company was established, 633 platforms for waste collecting containers were constructed. In the private sector, a water supply and sewerage system was constructed for sub-zone 3 of Balti Free Economic Zone, 1,56 kilometers of the main pipeline was renovated, the water supply and sewerage system of Raut S.A. Industrial Park from mun. Balti was rehabilitated and a conservation and packing house for grapes was constructed in Costesti, Ialoveni rayon.
In tourism, the following activities have been completed: two tourist sites were arranged; the Taul Village Museum was reconstructed, the roof of the Alexandru Donici Museum was repaired and the landscaping activities in museum area were carried out; Casa Vechilului and Casa Ionita Iamandi are currently under rehabilitation; a tourist sport complex in Valcinet village, Calarasi Rayon was built; a youth sport center was built in Causeni town and landscaping of the Lake Lacul Sarat in Cahul city was carried out. In energy efficiency, works on the installation of lighting equipment in 6 settlements were completed.
At the meeting, the representatives of the Minsitry of Finance mentioned that in the next four years an estimated amount of one billion lei will be allocated from the NFRD for regional development projects.
