Transnistria's exports decline, anti-crisis program goes on

The exports of the Transnistrian region have fallen by 52% as a result of the financial and economic crisis. Thus, the authorities allocated 700 million rubles (959m lei) from the budget to support the region's economy. Another 300 million rubles (411m lei) will be allotted from the next year's budget to support the real sector and the social benefits sector, Info-Prim Neo's correspondent in Tiraspol reports. Transnistrian minister of economy Elena Cernenko said the provision of preferential loans to state-run companies and the freezing of the tariffs on 'natural monopolies' are among the most efficient measures of the anti-crisis program. These two measures enabled the local producers to save about 400 million rubles (548m lei) this year, Cernenko said. In 2010, 150 million rubles (205m lei) will be directed to Transnistrian companies to help them pay the gas bills. The anti-crisis program in the Transnistrian region will continue in 2010. Only 50 of the 79 measures tried this year will be kept next year. From 2011, there will be implemented two more long-term programs that aim to support the small companies and ensure food security.