Japan offers grant for TRM modernization in Chișinău
Japan is offering a non-reimbursable grant worth 192 million Japanese yen, equivalent to approximately 21 million Moldovan lei (MDL), for the modernization of audiovisual equipment at the "Teleradio-Moldova" Company (TRM).
The Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Moldova, Yoichiro Yamada, and the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sergiu Mihov, formally signed the Exchange of Notes for the Japan grant Moldova project for TRM this past week.
The project, titled "Improving the equipment for television program production at the National Public Audiovisual Institution Teleradio-Moldova Company," aims to consolidate the program production capacity of TRM, the sole public broadcaster in Moldova. The funding will provide necessary equipment, specifically for enhancing its educational and cultural program channels.
"Through this assistance, the Government of Japan hopes that, as Moldova accelerates its steps towards European integration and economic development, TRM will fulfill an important role as a public broadcaster," stated a press release from the Embassy of Japan in Chișinău. "By offering high-quality information and educational and cultural opportunities, TRM will contribute concretely to the consolidation of democracy in the country."
The Government of Moldova initially approved the decision to initiate negotiations and sign the Agreement with Japan on December 3. The funds will be managed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The Minister of Culture, Cristian Jardan, emphasized during the Government meeting that this step confirms Japan's constant support for the Republic of Moldova's development. He stressed that the modernization of the public broadcaster is a national priority, especially given the institution's ongoing technological transformation.
"This is a project that shows once again who our true friends are," Minister Jardan concluded.
In late November, TRM’s Director General, Vlad Țurcanu, and Deputy Director General for Television, Andrei Zapșa, visited Tokyo to discuss the final operational details of the project.
Following the negotiation process and the formal signing of the documents, the grant agreement between the Governments of Moldova and Japan is scheduled to be presented to the Moldovan Parliament for ratification.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
