Foreign investors worried about regress in dialogue with authorities

The Foreign Investors Association (FIA) is worried about the recent regress in the dialogue between Moldovan authorities and the business community. FIA issued a press release stating that Minister of Finances Veaceslav Negruta made some statements on June 21 that misled the public opinion by distorting the role of state institutions in creating a healthy competitive business environment, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to FIA, the Minister suggested that it would be normal for local companies to keep up with the competition, while in truth the Moldovan market was flooded with smuggled goods. “This declaration is even more regrettable when it comes from a person who has in subordination the tax collecting institutions: the Fiscal Inspectorate and the Customs Service, the latter’s function being precisely to fight smuggling”, reads the FIA press release. FIA members ask those in charge of developing and approving fiscal policies to withhold from statements denigrating foreign companies, which represent one of the main sources of income for the public Budget. According to the association, viable solutions can be found only through a civilized and constructive dialogue.