The new provisions of the Customs Code applicable to all economic entities, including those based in the Transnistrian region, are requirements intended to gradually bring the activity of these entrepreneurs into the national legal field, in compliance with the rules of fair competition and Moldova’s international commitments. This was stated by Oleg Serebrian, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, at the meeting with Tiraspol’s chief negotiator Vitali Ignatiev, who raised objections on this subject.
“It has been stressed that these rules do not concern the fiscal component; they are designed to create fair conditions for businesses on both banks that can enjoy the facilities offered to the Republic of Moldova through the existing bi- and multilateral agreements, including in what concerns the EU trade preferences”, the Reintegration Policy Bureau said in a press release.
With regard to the licensing of the activity of companies in the region and the authorization of import-export transactions for various categories of goods, including goods that qualify as dual-purpose or medical equipment generating ionizing radiation, it has been recalled that the difficulties encountered in this process can be overcome as a result of compliance with the requirements established by the national legislation in force, compliance with the appropriate security requirements, on-site assessment of compliance and quality criteria.
The new Customs Code entered into force on January 1, eliminating all customs tax exemptions enjoyed by economic agents in the separatist Transnistrian region.
In response, the administration from the Transnistrian region announced that it is canceling the so-called preferential customs regime for farmers from Dubăsari, who have agricultural lands located along the Râbnița-Tiraspol route. Also, the regime from Tiraspol intends to force the owners of cars with Moldovan license plates, who have permanent residence in the town of Doroțcaia, to pay a vignette tax. Another decision announced by Tiraspol provides that, from February 1, legal entities registered in the Republic of Moldova, but active in the Transnistrian region, will pay for energy resources according to the tariffs on the right bank. The decision also covers state structures.
