The Chisinau authorities intend to build a new highway, Targu Mures-Iasi-Ungheni. A bridge is going to be built in Ungheni. The declaration was made by Chiril Gaburici, in an interview for Agerpres.

He talked about the bilateral projects of the two countries, among which, he counted the following ones: the gauge for the Moldovan railway, roaming fees and the cooperation in tourism field.

The minister said that the Iasi-Ungheni pipeline will be finished by the end of 2019. Thus, we will import gas from Romania.

Agerpres: Last week there was the common session of Romania and Moldova's Governments. Was was the main projects discussed at the session?

Chiril Gaburici: First of all, I want to mention that at the common session that took place between November 14 and 15, we prepared for the session of the Governments. There are a couple of great subjects, where both Romania and Moldova are involved.

Firstly, we need to talk about the Moldovan railway and the European gauge, that we need in Moldova. Thus, we started a project in this filed.

We discussed about some bridges that will unite Moldova and Romania. Some of these will be build near Ungheni. Also, we are planning to build a highway that will unite Turgu Mures-Neamt-Iasi and Ungheni.

Also, we will repair the kindergartens and the culture buildings. We also discussed about the tourism and the issues at the border. And so on.

Agerpres: What about the gauge project. Who will finance it? What role will Romania pay in this field?

Chiril Gaburici: This is a very expensive project. Here we expect foreign financing. Now, we have a lot of work to do. We need to prepare everything. This idea was supported by the both countries. We all know that what happens when you take the train to Iasi or Bucharest. 

Chiril Gaburici: We even signed a declaration in this sense. I want to tell you that we manage to implement this starting this year. Some issues appeared, but as soon as we will solve these we will implement the project. I want to announce that starting December 1, we will benefit of free calls to Romania. We hope that in the first period of 2019 this project will be active.

There was something else to discuss. This summer I had a meeting with colleagues from Romania, from the Ministry of Tourism. They presented us one of the projects to be next year. It is the so-called 'digital map of tourist attractions'. And we want to fit into the Romanian digital tourist map. The tourist digital map of the Republic of Moldova, our localities, our tourist objectives, our description, etc. will be added. We want to do this together and we have received the promise that our sub-project will be included in the project of our Romanian colleagues and so we will have a digital map for all who visit us or for all tourists visiting Romania.

Agerpres: Romania and the Republic of Moldova have common projects on energy filed and they target to build Iasi-Ungheni pipeline. When do you think the gas import from Romania will start?

Chiril Gaburici: We have already signed the contract. According to it, the gas pipe line will start working at the end of 2019.

Agerpres: You also import gas from Russia. You said that you want to give up on this cooperation.

Chiril Gaburici: I have never said we will refuse to import gas from Russia. I have only said that we will vote for the best offer. We will chose the best option for the citizen.

Agerpres: Romania has approved the building of Targu Mures-Iasi-Ungheni highway. Are there any chances that it will reach Chisinau?

Chiril Gaburici: We indent to cross Prut river by this highway. It will also reach Chisinau.

Agerpres: How many Romanian companies are in Moldova?

Chiril Gaburici: There are over 1.700 Romanian companies in Moldova.

Agerpres: What can you tell us about the bilateral trade?

Chiril Gaburici: Chiril Gaburici: Our business relationship is growing. We have discovered the Romanian market and we have a very big opening. A report from the Ministry of Economy shows that 69% of exports go to the European Union. Romania ranks first.

AGERPRES: At what stage is the consolidation of the banking system after the bankrupt scandal?

Chiril Gaburici: I can tell you, in general terms, that the banking system has recovered. We worked a lot. And proof is the involvement of foreign investors in the banking system. We have Banca Transilvania present in the Republic of Moldova, we have the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development present in the Republic of Moldova, we also have discussions with other players in the field, or other international banks showing interest in the Moldovan banking system. No bank at this level will enter a rotten system that does not work. Now that I see that things are in their place, the rules are very clear, respected, they show their interest.

AGERPRES: These days "Moldova Business Week" forum takes place in Chisinau. What are the priority areas where you want to attract investment?

Chiril Gaburici: We are very open. We are ready to look at various opportunities, but we have some priority segments. It is the agriculture segment, the agricultural products processing, or the IT field, the energy system and, why not, we have great potential in processing or production if we are talking about industry, then we can go out of markets outside the Republic of Moldova. We, as a small country, have managed to have free trade agreements with many countries, which gives all those who produce something in the Republic of Moldova the opportunity to have access to an extraordinary number of potential customers. And here we are talking about the countries of the European Union, the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, we are talking about Turkey and we are now in negotiations with China.

AGERPRES: What are the strengths to attract investors?

Chiril Gaburici: The fiscal policy of the Republic of Moldova in comparison with the countries of the region, geographical location. We are very well placed and this serves as an asset. Another argument is free trade agreements, or the presence of countries where we could export products manufactured in the Republic of Moldova.