RDA Center as the Implementation Unit of the project "Improvement of water infrastructure in Central Moldova" financed by the German Federal Government through the development bank KfW attended on 25.05.2021, the first round of virtual meetings aimed to monitor the progress in the implementation of ongoing projects under German financial cooperation.

The monitoring mission is composed of: Ms Marie-Christin Scholl-Jank - Portfolio Manager for Urban and Regional Development in Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia, KfW, Head of Mission, Mr Michael Pucher- Senior Engineer, Urban and Regional Development, KfW and Mr Sergiu Gutu -  KfW local representative.

During the day there were 3 meetings attended by representatives of the German consulting and design company C.E.S., local public authorities in Straseni and Calarasi, local water operators and representatives of Apa Canal Chisinau.

During the first meeting with the representatives of KfW, RDA Center and the design company, the main activities for 2021 were discussed: Phase 1 / Phase 2, aspects related to the achievements registered in the project implementation, challenges and ways to overcome the impediments encountered during carrying out the planned activities. Discussions were also launched at the start of Phase 2 of the project for which financial and grant agreements amounting to EUR 10 000 000 were signed.

During the meeting dedicated to local public authorities and water operators in Straseni and Calarasi, emphasis was placed on the commitments specified in the separate agreement of the project regarding the reorganization of water operators in both districts. The mayors of the cities reported the status of this commitment as well as the difficulties encountered. The representatives of the water operators presented during the meeting the evolution of the procedure for updating and approving the tariffs, which was completed at the moment only for the water operator from Călărași.

For the good implementation of the project and ensuring the maintenance of the infrastructure that will ensure the water supply of two districts, in the third meeting there were important discussions with representatives of Apa Canal Chisinau - the institution that will manage the new water infrastructure with a length of about 53 km. During the meeting, the possibility of obtaining the water bulk tariff which will be approved by ANRE was also discussed.

We remind you that the project "Water supply and sanitation in Moldova Center" is financially supported by the German Federal Government through KfW bank, while RDA Center is the institution responsible for its implementation. The total cost of the expected investments is about 28.05 million euros, of which 25 million euros is the grant approved by the German Government, and 3.05 million euros is the contribution guaranteed by the National Fund for Regional Development.

During the mission, Marie-Christin Scholl-Jank announced the intention of the German Government to allocate the additional grant for phase III of the project in the amount of 10 000 000 euros. It would ensure the additional connection of the villages from Strașeni and Călărași districts to the Chisinau - Straseni - Calarasi MTP.