Mr Dorin Andros, the State Secretary for Regional Development: "The use of geospatial data in the strategic planning of the localities will help us attract investments in the regions and increase the number of projects in rural areas"

The Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment, in partnership with a group of Czech experts, suggest using the Geographic Information System (GIS) to improve strategic planning in localities from the regions. On this line, on January 22, 2019, the Czech experts and the specialists within the ministry held a working session within the project "Regional Development in the Republic of Moldova: Support in Implementing of Regional Strategies Using the Geographic Information System (GIS)". The project is funded by the Czech Development Agency and will be implemented by the ministry in partnership with the Czech Agency "GEOtest" and the Regional Development Agencies North, Centre, South and ATU Gagauzia.

According to the project, for five localities in the country, strategic development plans by using geospatial data will be developed. These data will allow to set fixed geographical limits of the localities, correct projecting of the local, intersectoral roads, distribution of the lands between houses, etc.

The meeting was chaired by Mr Dorin Andros, the State Secretary for Regional Development, who mentioned: "It is a new type of strategic planning which have to contribute to the development of localities and to improve the capacity of local authorities of strategically planning. Such a pilot project has been implemented in the North Region of the country. The use of geospatial data in the strategic planning of the localities will help us to attract investments in the regions and increase the number of projects in rural areas". The State Secretary also said that active use of GIS technology and spatial data are efficient in planning interventions in the regions.

The project activities and next steps for its implementation were presented. Also, the objectives for the 2019 year, including the training program were established.

During 2019-2021, the MARDE will receive technical and consultative assistance from the Czech Agency "GEOtest" and 5-7 specialists of the MARDE and agencies will be trained by using the new methods of developing regional plans, but also graphical presentation of concrete projects.