The intensification of a series of fiscal and social reforms should be a priority for the new Minister of Finance Anatol Arapu, considers the leader of the People’s Party of the Republic of Moldova (PPRM), ex-MP Alexandru Oleinic, IPN reports.

“The minimum subsistence level should be fundamental for any calculation done in Moldova as we must create conditions to have allocations from the budget in order to be able to spend,” Alexandru Oleinic said in an interview for Radio Free Europe.

The leader of the PPRM also said that the underground economy that represents 50% should be legalized. Conditions should be created as regards the payment of the income tax and VAT so that the people are able o work legally. “We must exclude the payment of salaries ‘in envelopes’, which represent over 60%. We must remove smuggling. They significantly affect the budget and the development of companies,” said the former MP.

Alexandru Oleinic also said that the analysis of the World Bank report on the constraints in the business sector revealed problems concerning tax and customs administration, related to the creation of conditions for attracting investments, the income tax and the refunding of VAT. “I think that the creation of conditions for developing the business sector is the most important objective today,” said the politician.

As to the 2014 draft budget, Alexandru Oleinic said that under the legislation, the Ministry of Finance must present the fiscal policy for the next year to the Government by September 1. The former MP considers that this will be an interesting test not only for Minister Anatol Arapu, but also for the whole Pro-European Coalition.