The Council of Observers of Millennium Challenge Account MCA Moldova, made up of members of the government and representatives of the civil society and led by Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, today approved a plan on completing the U.S.Government's Compact Programme worth 262 million dollars.

The document sees the actions due to be undertaken till 1 September 2015, when the programme is officially concluded, as well as on the period immediately following the completion of the programme, in order to ensure the sustainability of investments in road infrastructure and agriculture, including the irrigation sector.

Under the plan, in 2015, MCA Moldova - the institution that implements the programme, will ensure rehabilitation of eight irrigation systems that are to be put into operation next summer, will monitor the quality of the Sarateni-Soroca highway, restored and opened for traffic, will continue the crediting of the post-harvest infrastructure etc. Also, the ten restored irrigation systems will be made available for the use of farmers who set up associations of water users for irrigation.

Deputy Resident Country Director at Millennium Challenge Corporation Jeffrey Goveia informed the CO members that the plan was to be revised in 2015, depending on the result of the Compact programme's activities.

Prime Minister Iurie Leanca referred to the need to use the MCA Moldova resources to enforce new projects on infrastructure development after the Compact programme's completion.

At the same time, CO approved re-allocation of 1.2 million dollars from Compact funds for backing small farmers who are set to purchase irrigation equipment and develop agricultural business. CO agreed to return to mechanisms on supporting farmers in the restored irrigation systems, using resources from the reimbursed Compact loans.

At the meeting, the CO members approved an audit report on financial operations carried out within the programme. The report is positive and confirms the fair management of the financial means disbursed for the Compact activities.