Russia is making effort to exert psychological influence on Moldova in the period before the elections. However, the imposition of customs duties on products from Moldova hinders Russia’s plans in a way. These taxes will affect all the exporters from Moldova, including those from Gagauzia and Transnistria. Therefore, Russia will be unable to further pursue its fragmented policy in Moldova, said economic expert Viorel Garbu, underlining that Russia is attempting to stress out the Moldovans before the elections so as to cause psychological tensions, IPN reports.
In an interview with Radio Free Europe, the expert said that even if Russia renounces the bans it already imposed on Moldova, the businesses will have to pay taxes of 10%. In the case of the EU, this tax is 3%, but the taxes are different for different categories of foods. For example, the tax on alcoholic beverages is 30%, on vegetables 8-9%, while on meat products - 16%. So, the Moldovan companies will have to incur these costs as they will be generally unable to raise prices.
Viorel Garbu said the authorities should have taken steps earlier as there were many verbal messages from Russian officials, warning that Moldova will suffer consequences. “Currently, the authorities cannot do much. We are in an electoral year and the financial resources are aimed at increasing salaries and pensions, as they traditionally do in Moldova. The Government should provide subsidies to the companies affected by Russia’s bans and should stimulate internal consumption. It allocated 20 million lei for purchasing Moldovan apples for schools and the army, but this is not enough,” stated the expert.
According to his calculations, businesses’ losses will amount to US$200 million. The Government can take measures to stimulate exports. For example, Moldova has a rather developed network of embassies abroad and they can promote Moldova’s commercial relations in the EU member states. Also, the Government should respond by finding faults in the products imported from Russia. “If the access of Russian alcoholic beverages and dairy products to Moldova is restricted, we will free a gap of US$60 million, which can be filled by the Moldovan economic entities,” said Viorel Garbu.
In the middle of July, Russia banned the import of fresh and canned fruit from Moldova. A ban on the import of Moldovan wine was imposed almost a year ago. Recently, the Russian Government made a decision to introduce customs duties on Moldovan products that can be imported into Russia.
