
Moldova and IFAD will expand cooperation and pay special attention to poverty reduction measures in rural areas.
The statement was made at a meeting held in Rome by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vladimir Bolea with President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Alvaro Lario. Vladimir Bolea noted the contribution of IFAD programs to the transformation of rural communities from the economic and social point of view. In this context, he expressed gratitude for the assistance provided in over 23 years since the opening of the IFAD representation in our country, which amounts to about $ 147 million "Initiatives of our farmers are supported by IFAD, providing them with greater access to financial services. Today, many of them have improved productivity, diversified access to markets and improved infrastructure for economic development of their businesses," said Vladimir Bolea. He also listed other achievements got with IFAD's support: 5,210 credits and loans worth about $95 million, of which over 900 credits, with the share of grants worth 40%, were provided to young entrepreneurs; over 120 infrastructure projects implemented in rural areas; over 20,000 jobs created; over 3,000 agricultural producers trained in applying conservative tillage technologies, etc. Based on these achievements, the parties analyzed the future direction of cooperation, agreeing to pay special attention to the reduction of poverty in rural areas. Moldova joined IFAD in 1996. Since 2000, the Moldovan Government has signed eight funding agreements with IFAD. // 04.07.2023 - InfoMarket.