2.7 billion lei will be invested in a Government-endorsed program to accelerate the development of Bălți Municipality over the next four years. The program involves the urban modernization of the city center, including the pedestrian area, the renovation of a kayak-canoe recreation area, as well as the construction of a multi-purpose sports venue of national importance, called Bălți Arena.

Also, the municipal water supply and sewage system will be rehabilitated and expanded, a new regional wastewater treatment plant will be built, and multi-storey apartment blocks will be modernized.

Additionally, the activity of the NORTEK Regional Technological Transfer and Innovation Center is to be consolidated and expanded, as a regional entrepreneurial hub in the field of creative industries. At the same time, conditions at the Bălți Free Economic Zone will be improved to attract new strategic investors.

The program also involves supporting the Alecu Russo State University in its transformation into an international university center.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development estimates the program costs at about 2.7 billion lei. 260 million lei will be allocated from the National Fund for Regional and Local Development, the contribution of local public authorities will be 21 million lei, and 2.4 billion lei will be provided by Moldova’s development partners.