The National Association of Restaurants and Leisure Establishments of Moldova (MĂR) announces that today several restaurants, cafes and other leisure establishments are planning to suspend their activity starting at 10.00, for a 30 minute-protest. Asked by IPN, Aneta Zasavițchi, MAR chair, said that "this is an action against the fiscal austerity measures announced by the Ministry of Finance, namely the increase, from 10% to 20%, of the VAT rate, for the hotels-restaurants-cafes sector. (HoReCa)."

Aneta Zasaviţchi recalled that measures had already been approved by the Government and were submitted to Parliament for consideration. “Although there have been public consultations, there is no analysis of the implementation of these measures: is it good thing or a bad thing? No real figures were taken into account and, respectively, we want to draw the Parliament’s  attention not to rush to vote for this measure,” Aneta Zasaviţchi said.

The MĂR chair also mentioned that HoReCa representatives expect that through the protest action they will awaken in the elected officials the feeling of humanity and social and economic responsibility towards the people. At the same time, HoReCa representatives hope that in such a way MPs will think well before voting. “We are sure that there are alternative solutions,” says MAR chair.

At a meeting on Friday, August 9, the Government decided to reverse the VAT rate on the restaurants sector from 10% back to 20%. Earlier, Finance Minister Natalia Gavrilița stated that tax exemptions for HoReCa industry and meal vouchers represent a measure of encouraging consumption that is not economically correct. “The VAT reduction at HoReCa was a bad idea because I do not agree with the tax reductions for consumption. Tax exemptions must be granted where we want to encourage the productive sector, the export and these exemptions must be linked to the development vision of the country or a person”, the Minister of Finance said.