On 29-30 March, Daniel McCormack, superior advisor to Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ); Ulrich Kleppmann, Head of Cooperation and Economic Development, German Embassy in the Republic of Moldova and Philipp Johannsen, GIZ country director; as well as managers of projects implemented by GIZ carried out an information visit in the North Region of the country. The purpose of the visit was to collect information on the status and perspectives of cooperation and implementation of projects with GIZ and KfW German development bank financial support.
During the first half of 29 March, the delegation visited the ‘Management of Water Resources on Dniester River’ project, and also carried out a study visit to the old waste water treatment plant from Dubasari.
In the second half of the day, the delegation had a meeting with the representatives of North Regional Development Agency (RDA). At the meeting, regional development projects implemented in the North of Moldova with GIZ support were discussed. Also, as part of the meeting, the progress, challenges and potential of regional development in the North Development Region were mentioned. The cooperation between North RDA and GIZ implemented project ‘Modernization of Local Public Services in the Republic of Moldova’ (MLPS) were special subjects on the agenda of the meeting. In this context, the participants in the discussions noted that MLPS further goal and mission is to improve local services in the villages and cities of the Republic of Moldova by promoting regional development policy.
Daniel McCormack, superior advisor to Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ): ‘One of our most important tasks is to contribute to the regional development of Republic of Moldova and MLPS project managed by GIZ is our main project in this respect… One of the major objectives of our technical cooperation is strengthening potential at regional level’.
Ion Bodrug, director North RDA: ‘We are, indeed, at a new stage of cooperation with MLPS project. The pilot-projects implemented during last years were part of a very important stage where we gathered a lot of experience. I am convinced that our joint efforts will yield results in the long term’.
Further, on the same day, the delegation met in a working session with the members of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Balti branch where they discussed the activities carried out under GIZ project ‘Structural Reform in Vocational Training’. At the end of the day, an information visit was made to the ‘Sarob Production SRL’ company from Balti, which benefitted from support under GIZ project ‘Economic Policy Advice to the Moldovan Government’.
In the second day, on 30 March 2017 – the official delegation visited the projects implemented in Edinet town in the field of improving quality and efficiency of medical services and modernization of Edinet town by renovating the pavement on the main and adjacent streets and installing street lighting. Special attention was drawn to the ‘Improvement of Water and Sanitation Services in Riscani Rayon’ project in Costesti, Riscani Rayon implemented by GIZ under MLPS.
Nelu Grasu, mayor of Costesti locality thanked GIZ and the German Government for the support provided ‘in the construction of the water supply and sewage system in the locality, which has brought great benefits for community in Costesti. Water supply and sewage services are basic needs, which have to be accessible for everybody… As a result of construction of water supply and sewage system, people come back home. In the last 3-4 years only, more than 15 families returned home’.
The two days visit of the delegation ended in Calarasi town at the project implemented with KfW German development bank support, which provides for the construction of a ‘passive house type’ new kindergarten.
The project ‘Modernization of Local Public Services in the Republic of Moldova’ (MLPS) is implemented by the German Development Cooperation through GIZ and is financially supported by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Swedish Government, the Romanian Government, the European Union and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
