FERM 2024 | Message from the Director of the Regional Development Agency (RDA) Center, Ion PÎNZARI

The “INVESTMENTS” Panel

Module V – Cooperation between RDAs in the Extended Region of Moldova in line with the Development Ministries from Bucharest and Chișinău, 18th Edition of the Moldova Regional Economic Forum, Vatra Dornei, 2024

SPEAKER – Ion PÎNZARI, Director of the Central Regional Development Agency (RDA)

Topic: „Regional Development in the Central Region of the Republic of Moldova, the Importance of Infrastructure Projects and International Cooperation”

Central Development Region, brief overview

In his opening remarks, Ion Pînzari, Director of the Central Regional Development Agency (RDA), gave a brief presentation on the significance and scale of the Central Development Region of the Republic of Moldova.

„When we talk about the Central Development Region of the Republic of Moldova, we are talking about the largest region in the country, covering 31% of the national territory, including 13 districts, over 500 localities, and home to approximately 700,000 inhabitants”, stated Pînzari.

He also highlighted a less favorable aspect: „Only 15% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is generated in the Central Development Region, while around 60% is concentrated in the municipality of Chișinău.”

Notable cooperation and results

The Director of the Central Regional Development Agency (RDA) mentioned that in 2022, „The governments of Chișinău and Bucharest signed an Agreement regarding the construction of aqueducts: 4 points of undercrossing the Prut River, a system for supplying water from Romania to the Republic of Moldova.”

Following this Agreement, in 2024, the first undercrossing of potable water took place from Iași to the village of Măcărești in Ungheni District. “The locality in the Republic of Moldova benefited from approximately 400 tons of water from Iași”, added Pînzari.

Development projects

Continuing his presentation on infrastructure projects, Ion Pînzari highlighted a major project: „From the Măcărești crossing point, another 15 localities in Ungheni and Nisporeni districts will benefit from potable water.”

He also emphasized the signing of an additional grant: “We have signed an additional grant worth 15 million euros to improve the water infrastructure in central Moldova.”

The Director of RDA Centru explained that this project is part of a larger initiative, with a total value of over 40 million euros, implemented by RDA Centru in Strășeni and Călărași districts.“To give you an idea of the scale of this project, the 40 million euro project in the Republic of Moldova is equivalent to the budget for 3-4 years of RDA Centru”, emphasized Ion Pînzari.

In conclusion, he reminded that the North, Central, and South RDAs are celebrating 15 years of activity this year, noting that they have enjoyed good cooperation throughout these years.