US to allocate $63M in aid to Moldova to develop democracy & economy

The US will provide the government of Moldova with additional financial assistance in the amount of $16.7 million for the development of democratic processes and $46.3 million for sustainable economic growth, Report informs citing TASS.

“The $16.7 million grant is in addition to the $113 million assistance already received. It will be aimed at reducing the vulnerability of democratic institutions and processes. The US government is allocating another $46.3 million to ensure sustainable economic growth in our country. Assistance will be provided to the republic through the US Agency for International Development,” reads the document by the parliament of Moldova.

Anti-government protests began in Moldova in June, led by the opposition Party of Socialists, the Party of Communists and the Shor Party, as well as other opposition organizations. Their participants are outraged by the unprecedented increase in prices for gas and other energy resources, food products, a sharp drop in living standards and demand the resignation of the government of Natalia Gavrilita, which was formed by the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity that supports President Maia Sandu.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the average annual inflation in Moldova in May exceeded 29%, the prices for food, other goods and services soared by an average of one third. The gas tariff for household consumers has more than quintupled since autumn, from 0.22 cents to $1.24 per 1,000 cubic meters.