The lending agreement between the Government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency for a preferential loan of US$18.6 million for modernizing agricultural machinery and equipment, especially for the postharvest stage, is to be signed in the nearest future, Minister of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Ion Perju said after PPPDA vice president Alexandru Slusari accused the authorities of delaying the process, noting the state could fail to take out a very advantageous loan, IPN reports.

MP Alexandru Slusari said the process started in 2019, but the negotiations were blocked tacitly by the Ministry of Agriculture. “The Japanese side could not understand why the assistance for farmers was blocked and why much more expensive loans were discussed. The signing of the exchange of notes until March 31, when the Japanese financial year ends, was not possible. Anyway, the Japanese side accepted to provide the loan from the 2020 budget, but the negotiations stagnated continuously. Japan’s efforts were noticed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which decided to sign the exchange of notes. But Minister Ion Perju told Minister Oleg Țulea (e.n. foreign minister) that there was no hurry and we should wait,” said the MP, noting he asked for detailed information about the negotiation process from the Ministry of Agriculture.

In reaction, Minister Ion Perju in a press briefing said the first discussions with the representatives of Japan took place last December. On March 25, there were approved two Government decisions on the initiation of negotiations and signing of the agreement. The agreement was to be signed by March 31, but the pandemic thwarted the efforts.

The minister also said that as a result of discussions with the Japanese side, it was decided that the agreement can be signed later. Moldova’s Ambassador to Japan Vasile Bumacov was empowered to sign the agreement so that the procedure could be hastened.