Fmr USAID projects manager Doina Nistor becomes Moldovan Economic Development Minister

CHISINAU. March 14 (Interfax) - Doina Nistor, who has led USAID projects in Moldova, has become the republic's new Economic Development and Digitalization Minister.

Nistor was put forward by Prime Minister Dorin Recean and appointed by decree of President Maia Sandu on the Friday morning, after which she took the oath, the presidential administration reported.

"The Republic of Moldova is going through a difficult time, which is why we need to try doubly hard to boost the competitiveness of our economic agents, attract investment and lay the foundations for a stable economy. You and your team are tasked with implementing this plan fully, so that we can support economic development and increase the standard of living for our citizens," Sandu said in her address to the new minister.

Recean said Moldova was moving into a new stage of accelerated development. "The former minister, Dumitru Alaiba, and the ministry team have already laid the groundwork for this economic growth," he said.

Nistor has worked in economic development and digital transformation for more than 20 years, completing her doctoral thesis in economics and management at the Technical University of Moldova and obtaining a degree in in-depth study of leadership and management from Arizona State University. She has led large-scale projects financed by U.S., Swedish and UK governments, who have had a substantial impact on the competitiveness and digitalization of key sectors such as information and communication technologies, tourism, winemaking, light industry, machine building and cyber security.

Nistor worked at the USAID for several years, leading and taking charge of many of the programs implemented in Moldova.