Parliament approves revision to customs tariffs of several products

The Parliament passed on Thursday, October 12, in first reading, amendments to customs taxes for 360 products, 85 agricultural and 275 industrial. In the majority of cases the customs taxes of the goods produced in Moldova were increased. In this way, taxes for pork and beef, dairy products were increased from 20% to 10%+EUR 200/tonne. The level of customs taxes was increased for semolina and margarine from 5% to 15%, for barley from 0% to 10% etc. At the same time, the taxes for raw and auxiliary material necessary for technological production process were diminished. In this way, glucose, raw material used for the production of furniture will be imported to Moldova with a custom tax equal to zero. The Minister of Economy and Commerce, Igor Dodon declared that the necessity of elaborating this project was determined by the internal and external factors which influence the national economy, as well as for the implementation of some international engagements, especially in front of the World Trade Organization. The draft’s stipulation regarding the reduction of customs tax of sugar, from 30% to 10%, generated debates in the Parliament. Several MPs declared that this stipulation will lead to the destruction of the local sugar beet producers. Dodon declared that this stipulation is included in the engagements taken in front of WTO. If the amendments pass the second reading they will come into force on January 1, 2007.