The head of the Metals Employers Association Valentin Eșanu urges to correct the fiscal and customs policy document so that scrap iron is added to the list of waste on which income tax withheld at the source of purchase is not imposed. He noted that if this is not done, Moldova risks being controlled by foreign factors. In a news conference at IPN, Valentin Eșanu said the law was amended overnight without being discussed with business entities operating on the metals market.

“I want to ask you who is interested in this? It is rumored that huge sums of money were offered for this law to be adopted. It is evident that other companies that will try to export metals to Turkey or elsewhere will be unable to as they will be permanently monitored by the Tax Inspectorate and all the state institutions,” said Valentin Eșanu, noting that this business is controlled by the grouping of the former Democratic leader Vlad Plahotniuc.

The businessman referred to firms that buy scarp iron from private individuals illegally, without compiling the required documents. As a result, the 12% tax rate is not withheld at the source, as the new legal provisions stipulate. Later, interposed companies that belong to the same owners will confirm the origin of goods. When a company buys metals from another company, the tax rate of 12% is not paid to the state, he explained.

Valentin Eșanu said that in 2020, after he exported the first ship of metals to Turkey, those who try to control the market came to him and offered about US$15 million to him for his business. These are the same subjects that started to act through the Government and he presumes that ministers and MPs are also involved and these accepted to introduce the relevant provisions for large sums of money.

Valentin Eșanu stated that company he manages has cooperated with about 200,000 persons who collect scrap iron and sell it to them. They compiled purchase documents for each transaction, in accordance with the law. Now that this income tax rate of 12% is imposed, the collectors will migrate to companies that work illegally and enjoy protection.
 
The businessman called on the MPs to review the relevant provisions.