ADR North director: With EU support, North Region and whole country to transform even more in coming years

Chisinau, Dec. 3. /MOLDPRES/- The North Development Region has benefited from 70 infrastructure investment projects worth over 1.2 billion lei, implemented by the North Regional Development Agency (ADR) from 2009 to the present, when it celebrates its 15th anniversary.

The achievement of this goal was made possible as a result of various strategic planning activities, collaboration with national and international partners and implementation of infrastructure projects with regional impact.

Asked by MOLDPRES, ADR North director Maria Prisacari says that these are 15 years of transformation of a region through hard work and shared commitment.

Maria Prisacari, ADR North director: For 15 years we have witnessed and been part of the transformation of a region through hard work and shared commitment. Together with you, we have invested and built not only for today, but for the generations to come, for a better future here in the North Region. We are proud of every modern school and hospital, of every kilometer of water main built and every kilometer of road rebuilt, of every park and piece of heritage we have given back to the people, proud of every business developed and new jobs created. From every project, from every effort, we have learned that we are stronger together. 70 projects are a testimony of our trust and collaboration, cooperation with local administration, organizations and companies, residents of the Northern Region, beneficiaries of investment projects. We have invested considerable time and resources in the projects we have implemented. We put passion and dedication into making our dreams a reality for the 700 thousand inhabitants of the region. With the EU support, the North Region and the whole country will transform even more in the coming years. Together we are building our future through investment.

The law on regional development and the establishment of development regions was enacted in 2006. This established the institutional framework, objectives, competences and specific instruments for regional development as part of Moldova's European commitment and path.

The sustainable development of the North Region is carried out through the North Regional Development Agency, based on the state policy in the field of regional development, set up and promoted by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development of the Republic of Moldova.

Maria Prisacari: The North Development Region is one of the four functional regions of the Republic of Moldova. It is located in the south-eastern part of Europe, bordering Romania to the west, Ukraine to the north and east.

From an administrative-territorial point of view, the North Development Region includes three municipalities (Balti, Edinet, Soroca) and 11 districts (Briceni, Edinet, Dondușeni, Drochia, Fălești, Florești, Glodeni, Ocnita, Riscani, Sângerei, Soroca), with a population of 974,558 inhabitants, ranking second among the four functional regions of the country (27.5% of the total population of the country).

The most important industrial and commercial center in the north of the country is the municipality of Balti, which is considered the main economic polarizer. Together with Balti, two other cities - Edinet and Soroca - have been identified in the region to be supported for their development as growth poles. The region also has a low degree of urbanization (36.6%).

The work of the Northern Regional Development Agency consists in developing and promoting sectoral strategies and programs, attracting resources and implementing investment projects, providing support and advice to stimulate sustainable economic growth, partnerships and entrepreneurship.

Established in November 2009, the North Regional Development Agency was officially launched on April 23, 2010, in Balti.

Maria Prisacari: In terms of the economic development level, the North continues to be a region with high growth potential, with many economic opportunities for the development of entrepreneurship, investment attraction and employment. The entrepreneurial sector is characterized by a relatively high number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), accounting for 13% of the number registered at national level. SMEs in the North of the country continue to represent the backbone of the regional economy, representing 98.7% of the total number of enterprises, contributing 62% to employment and 48% to the total value of sales revenue in the regional economy.

An important role in increasing the competitiveness of the region is played by the existence of higher education institutions, specialized, professional-technical secondary schools. All these educational institutions are an excellent basis for the development of human resources, with an impact on the economic development of the entire region.

Investment results in the North Development Region

Investments in the Northern Development Region mean: good water for all and modern sanitation systems; renovated, equipped and energy-efficient social institutions; business infrastructure; attractive tourist destinations; renovated roads and illuminated streets; training programs for local public authorities. These investments have yielded a number of visible results in the Northern Development Region, contributing to improved living standards in several priority development areas.

Water and sanitation. Thus, 110,854 people have access to drinking water and 25,820 have access to sanitation. To this end, the following have been built and rehabilitated: 467.57 km of aqueduct networks, two drinking water catchment stations, four drinking water treatment stations, one drinking water disinfection station, nine drinking water pumping stations, 27 water towers built, 15 drinking water reservoirs, 40.65 km of sewerage networks, four treatment stations and five sewage pumping stations.

Energy efficiency of public buildings. 1,856 students and teachers benefit from improved learning conditions and some 2,200 people enjoy efficient street lighting. In this regard, five educational institutions (schools and kindergartens) and two medical institutions have been renovated by insulating 29,579 square meters of walls, installing 3,317.48 square meters of energy efficient doors and windows, installing 173 photovoltaic panels.

Business infrastructure use. Eight objectives providing access to an environment conducive to business development have been created and used, including: two renovated business incubators, two industrial parks connected to access infrastructure and public utilities, two free economic zones connected to technical and public utilities infrastructure, an innovation and technology transfer center created and a regional wholesale market built and developed. To this end, 5.61 km of access roads, 14.49 km of water supply and sewage networks, 4.31 km of natural gas supply networks and 4.5 km of 10 kV cable power lines have been built. At the same time, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs in the region have benefited from grants worth € 210,300 from the Czech Republic.

Enhancing tourist attractiveness. Six tourist attractions were restored. Thus, three rest houses, seven gazebos, an information point, a belvedere and 17 accommodation places were built. Access to tourist attractions was also improved by renovating 4.88 km of road.

Urban development. The inhabitants of the cities of Balti, Edinet, Singerei, Singerei, Ocnita, Drochia, Dondușeni, Fălești and Soroca benefit from better conditions following the development and revitalization of urban infrastructure. Thus, one gymnasium and two kindergartens have been energetically revitalized, five sports fields have been built, 18,948.5 sq.m of access roads have been revitalized, and a multipurpose sports complex is under construction.

Regional and local roads. 24,516 km of regional and local roads were built and renovated and three bridges were reconstructed.

Solid waste management. Residents in 14 localities collect their waste in specially designated places. To this end, 75 waste collection platforms have been built, 8,894 garbage bins, rubbish bins and street urns have been installed, and four trucks collect and transport waste.

Maria Prisacari: The Northern Development Region is historically the most industrialized region of the country, where there are national and multinational companies, offering good paying jobs and professional growth. At the same time, in the North of the country there are institutions of higher education, specialized and vocational-technical secondary schools, which offer quality education and internationally accepted diplomas. In addition to these advantages, the Northern Development Region has many picturesque tourist locations and many organic products. Residents and tourists visiting our region can savor natural products and enjoy many unique sights.

Reporter - Lilia Grubii