Moldovan PM unveils +PLUS Budget - largest financial package ever earmarked by government for investments, economic growth

Prime Minister Dorin Recean today presented the +PLUS Budget, which includes a total of 8 billion lei in financial resources. The funds will be used to finance various initiatives aimed at supporting the residents and the economic growth. The document is to be approved today by the government and will be considered by parliament on 4 April.

The PM informed that this was the largest financial package ever allocated by the government for investments and economic growth. According to the official, the provision of additional financial resources was made possible thanks to the support provided by the European Union.

“Today, we present the +PLUS investment budget, through which we will have investments in the economy of Moldova thanks to the openness on behalf of the European Union and the financial aid for the modernization of our country. In the last two months, we have worked intensively with European partners, in order to quickly allocate the first installment of the Growth Plan and to rapidly start the investment projects planned in this budget, so that they are completed by the end of this year,” said Dorin Recean.

The 8 billion lei will be allocated in two main directions: the energy package and the economic development package.

“The +PLUS Budget is conceived from two perspectives: economic growth and continued support for the population. This budget allocation is made possible only thanks to the unprecedented support we receive from European countries and the European Union. This is precisely money provided by the EU - free funding - that allow us to provide significant compensations for electricity and heating invoices,” said Prime Minister Dorin Recean.

Specifically, the energy package includes compensations in invoice for the first 110kWh; monetary compensations for heating; compensations for enterprises in the agro-food sector; compensations for local public administrations, hospitals, kindergartens, schools and other social institutions; energy efficiency projects; Easter aid for families. The economic development package provides additional allocations for road repairs, support for entrepreneurs, farmers and young specialists, as well as the modernization of school canteens. Thus, an additional 1 billion lei will be allocated for the repair of local roads in about 100 settlements, implementation of 230 local and regional projects across the country, modernization of courtyards in Chisinau and modernization of regional agricultural markets in Edinet, Balti, Ungheni, Comrat, Cahul.

At the same time, 1 billion lei will be used for the repair of about 200 km of regional and district roads. 200 million lei will be allocated for schools, which will use the funds to modernize canteens, making sure that primary and middle school students receive free meals starting September 1, 2025.

Another 200 million lei will be earmarked for 700 entrepreneurs, who will receive this support to make investments and create jobs. An additional 200 million lei has been allocated for supporting farmers.

Another provision of the economic package is granting a salary supplement of 3,000 lei for young employees at their first job back home. A sum of 60 million lei will be used to this end.

Environmental projects will receive additional funding of 100 million lei, enabling 130 localities to purchase waste collection equipment. At the same time, the authorities will allocate 85 million lei for the repair of the access road from Cantemir to the Falciu railway bridge and the repair of the Valeni railway segment. “By repairing these two points, we will restore freight transport on the Giurgiulesti-Cahul-Chisinau railway, which will help us increase trade and transport 300,000 tons of goods by rail,” Dorin Recean said.

“These are a string of investments and projects that we plan to complete by the end of the year or even sooner, in order to stimulate economic growth. Moreover, continuing on the European path means even more money for projects and economic development will come in the coming years. Certainly, all this is possible, if we follow the right path, the European road and work together,” concluded the prime minister.

Deputy Parliament Speaker Doina Gherman welcomed the finalization of the +PLUS Budget, noting that, thanks to it, by the end of the year, the country would  have repaired roads, modernized localities, young people motivated to stay home, and entrepreneurs who will benefit from government financial support.

“In recent years, over 900 government projects have been implemented in the villages, cities and municipalities of Moldova. We are very happy for these achievements and want to continue them, to reach as many localities in the country as possible with projects that directly improve people's daily lives. In one of the most complicated periods in our country's history, we have managed to be close to the people by doubling the minimum wage and the average pension, doubling the average salary and more than increasing the salary by over 80%, by providing compensations for energy invoices. Ambitious projects have been launched, important projects for the modernization of the country, works that have transformed communities across Moldova. Record amounts have been invested in education and health. The country is developing and the direction is correct. We surely want it faster. Each time we want more, but the fact is that we are moving towards development and not standing still,” declared Doina Gherman. The deputy speaker reiterated that European integration was the only direction towards prosperity and this path must be continued.

The PLUS+ Budget is set to be approved today by the government and will be examined by parliament on 4 April. The initiatives will be implemented till late 2025.