The Avia Invest Company that manages the Chisinau International Airport, in accordance with the contractual obligations, was to make investments of €160 million by the end of 2019. However, it so far invested only €94 million, €59 million of which is the proceeds deriving from the tax of €9 paid by passengers. According to the authorities, the non-fulfillment of the investment plan can be a reason for terminating the contract with the managing company, IPN reports.
“The Public Property Agency, the Government will notify the investor of the non-fulfillment of the investment commitments. Of the planned €160 million, €66 million hasn’t been invested. The sources of the €94 million are interesting. Of the €94 million invested by the company, €59 million represents taxes paid by passengers,” President Igor Dodon said after the January 21 meeting of the Supreme Security Council.
The official said that another reason for the termination of the contract with Avia Invest is the way in which this was signed and the fact that the state interests were neglected. According to Igor Dodon, there are now five criminal cases started against those who signed the contract and organized the contest in 2013. Also, there was filed a lawsuit to have the concession contract with Avia-Invest nullified. This is to be examined in February. Another aspect refers to the preferential conditions of the investor as regards the monopoly on the airport services market and the tax of €9. “For us, it is essential to have this contract terminated,” stated President Dodon.
The Supreme Security Council’s meeting also centered on Air Moldova airline that was privatized in October 2018. The investor undertook to pay the company’s debts of 1.2 billion lei and to make investments. According to Igor Dodon, the investor reported that it paid 1 billion lei, but the debts of Air Moldova actually total 1.1 billion lei at present. It was also established that no own investment was made in Air Moldova. As the investor recently announced that it is ready to invest several tens of millions of euros in the company’s share capital, a decision concerning the termination of the contract is to be taken later.
