The State Tax Service and the Customs Service on June 24 signed a memorandum of cooperation to stimulate the exchange of information with a view to intensifying the efforts aimed at preventing and combating tax evasion and corruption, IPN reports.

“The signing of this memorandum will bring benefits to the whole society. We hope that those who practice illegal activities will feel even more the pressure applied by the given bodies,” Minister of Finance Octavian Armasu said in the signing event.

The head of the State Main Tax Inspectorate Sergiu Puscuta said the signed memorandum will enable to advance the existing cooperation and to concentrate the joint efforts on those segments where the risk of tax evasion and illegal activities is bigger.

“A common approach to combating illegal transactions and tax evasion will make our job more productive, while the conditions of doing business for economic entities that work honestly – better,” stated Sergiu Puscuta.

Customs Service director general Vitalie Vrabie noted that one of the main tasks of the institution he heads is to collect import duties. “We established that there is potential here and an efficient exchange of information and access to the existing databases will help us to fully realize it,” he said.

EU High Level Adviser in Customs Rosario de Blasio welcomed the signing of the memorandum, saying there is good experience of cooperation between the customs and tax authorities in the EU member states and this is beneficial to developing businesses.

The signatory institutions agreed to set up joint working groups, including operational ones, for preventing and combating illegal transactions and tax evasion.