OREANDA-NEWS. October 08, 2008. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is encouraged by the development of the relations with Moldova, especially in the field of projects' implementations, and is set to extend its activities in Moldova, reported the Official website http://gov.md. 

EBRD vice president Brigita Schmognerova made statements to this effect at meeting with Prime Minister Zinaida Grecianii.

The EBRD representative said that, in 2008, the amount of money provided within joint projects with Moldova will amount to 100 million euros, almost thrice more than in 2007.

Brigita Schmognerova also said, that, even if this is her first visit to Moldova, she can see that the development of the country's infrastructure will lead to Moldova's economic development. On these grounds, the EBRD vice president said that she is willing to speed up the project for restoration of highways, which will represent an important step to settle other infrastructure problems.

At the same time, Brigita Schmognerova expressed her willingness to foster the work on a project aimed at upgrading the Chisinau International Airport, especially in order to ensure the process of providing new destinations.

The EBRD representative also said that, presently, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has another interesting product for Moldova, which is related to energy efficiency. The bank's official said that this product was successfully carried out in Bulgaria, Slovakia, and is being implemented in Georgia now. It is about crediting lines to ensure the supply with energy resources at the expense of management of renewable resources. Brigita Schmognerova  stressed that the implementation of these projects for small enterprises and even for social institutions allow saving energy in the long run.

The EBRD representative said that the bank gives real possibilities of making these credits attractive through a series of incentives.

Another project discussed at the meeting was the crediting of the agricultural business. Brigita Schmognerova said that, as a rule, the EBRD does not involve in agricultural projects since this is a high-risk area. At the same time, the bank would be interested in backing the production of ecologically safe vegetables and fruits, for which there are real breeding conditions, and the sales market can be certainly found in Europe.

Zinaida Grecianii said that Moldova is an agricultural country and irrigation is mandatory for the country's economy given the latest climate changes. The prime minister said that the Moldovan farmers already have experience of borrowing credits, and the cooperation with the EBRD to this end would be very interesting.

As for the project of upgrading the Chisinau Airport, the premier said that the government ruled to include the Air Moldova state company in the list of enterprises subject to privatisation. She said that the aviation services will follow afterwards, and automatically, the opening of new destinations.