In December, the Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) will adopt a decision of principle as to whether Moldova is eligible for the second Compact country program or not, Prime Minister Iurie Leanca said in an interview for Radio Moldova, being quoted by IPN.
The implementation of the current Compact financed by the U.S. Government through the MCC with a grant of US$262 million started in September 2010 and is to be completed in 2015.
“In these four years, we managed to obtain good economic growth. The GDP increased. This is a result, but it can reduce our chances for being eligible for this program that is intended for countries with a reduced GDP per capita,” said the Premier.
According to the official, the money allocated by the MCC is spent with maximum responsibility. The two components of the program – the reconstruction of 93 km of the Sarateni-Soroca road and Transition to High Value Agriculture with the rehabilitation of the centralized irrigation systems - are implemented correctly. The road is to be put in commission in summer. The irrigation systems are being rehabilitated and transferred to water users associations.
“If we are perseverant in obtaining economic growth; if we work hard each of us at our workplace; if we continue to improve the business environment and are eligible for other kinds of assistance, not necessary the Compact one, we will be able to attract U.S. investments to modernize production, which is very important,” said Iurie Leanca.
Millennium Challenge Account Moldova executive director Valentina Badrajan said the eligibility criteria for such programs, except the economic situation, include such indicators as economic freedom, investments in human capital, press freedom, and corruption control.
