Specifically, Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi and Japanese Ambassador to Moldova Takeuchi Kazuyuki signed, through an exchange of notes, an intergovernmental agreement between Moldova and Japan on the provision of a loan to implement the "Modernization of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment" (MAME, Phase II) project in our country. According to the document, the Japanese government, based on an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will provide Moldova with a loan of up to 8.678 billion Japanese yen ($54.9 million) intended for the modernization of the agricultural sector. The project will facilitate access by agricultural producers—especially small and medium-sized businesses—to modern machinery and equipment, which will contribute to increased productivity, reduced production costs, and enhanced competitiveness in the agricultural sector. In addition, the initiative aims to support the sustainable development of agriculture and its adaptation to modern challenges. As Mikhail Popșoi noted, Japan is a reliable partner of Moldova, and the support it has provided over many years is reflected in concrete projects that are directly significant for our country's development. According to him, the signing of the new agreement is another step toward the modernization of agriculture, giving farmers access to cutting-edge technologies and high-performance equipment. "We highly value Japan's ongoing contribution and strive to further strengthen our partnership for the benefit of our citizens," said the Moldovan foreign minister. He noted that the signing of the agreement once again confirms the friendly and cooperative relations between Moldova and Japan, as well as the mutual willingness to deepen bilateral cooperation in priority areas of the country's sustainable development. The MAME Project (Phase II) continues Moldovan-Japanese cooperation in the field of agricultural modernization. // 09.11.2026 — InfoMarket