The EU has mobilized 1.2 billion euros of investment for Moldova under the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) of the Eastern Partnership, of which 365 million euros are grants.
This was announced by the Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization Dumitru Alaiba, noting that the European Union is the main development partner and the largest donor of financial assistance for Moldova. It supports socio-economic development and reforms in our country by providing financial and technical assistance through the Neighborhood Instrument, Development Cooperation and International Cooperation. In response to the gas crisis in autumn 2021, aggravated by Russian aggression against Ukraine, the EU mobilized a package of macro-financial assistance for Moldova in April 2022, which is provided in 2022-2024 to support the reform agenda as well as key investments. Priority areas cover the economy, institutions, rule of law, security, environmental and climate sustainability, digital transformation, gender equality and inclusive societies. The Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) of the Eastern Partnership was launched in 2021 and aims to mobilize up to 17 billion euros in cooperation with international financial institutions until 2027. Under the EIP for Moldova, the EU has already mobilized 1.2 billion euros of investment, of which 365 million euros - in the form of grants. In order to strengthen the business environment and improve the investment climate, the European Union, within the framework of the EU for SMEs project, allocated 8 million euros in the form of non-refundable funds in May 2023 to co-finance seven government support programs for entrepreneurship, carried out by the Enterprise Development Organization, aimed at supporting non-refundable businesses, less than 300 enterprises in their efforts to create, develop, expand or internationalize their businesses, of which at least 50% will be able to take advantage of new opportunities in sectors with high growth potential, and 80% will cover rural areas. The European aid project will be implemented by the Enterprise Development Organization in 2023-2026. Dumitru Alaiba recalled that in September 2023, Moldova joined the Single Market Program, which is designed to prepare both the private sector and government institutions for European rules and standards, offering a more consistent and flexible financing structure to strengthen the potential for access to the single European market. In February 2024, Moldova joined the Digital Europe program, which will provide access to programs totaling €7.5 billion in the field of digitalization until 2027. Beneficiaries include enterprises, including SMEs, research and innovation organizations, NGOs, universities, local and central public administration. To facilitate access to these programmes, the EU has suspended Moldova's obligation to pay an annual financial contribution, starting in 2021 and onwards, under the multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027. In addition, in order to support Moldova in carrying out the reforms necessary to modernize the state and strengthen the sustainability of its institutions, the “Partnership Platform for Moldova” was launched at the initiative of Romania, Germany and France. // 18.04.2024 — InfoMarket.
