For 2019, Russia has established 15,000 export permits for Moldovan transporters, 3,000 permits fewer than in 2018. A statement from the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure shows that, given the insufficient number of such authorizations, multiple requests were sent to the Russian side with a view to increase the quota, the majority being declined by them, IPN reports.

"Only in August, the Russian side agreed to organize the meeting of the Moldovan-Russian Joint Commission on International Road Transport and, at the request for an additional quota of permits, mentioned that 80.8% of the bilateral transport operations are carried out by the Moldovan transporters, the share of Russian operators constituting only 9.3%”, the statement said.

According to the quoted source, the Russian side mentioned the need for measures to increase the participation rate of Russian transport operators in the road transport of goods between the states. "However, as a result of the negotiations, but also taking into account the planned measures, the Russian side has agreed to grant, in the third quarter of this year, an additional quota of 1250 authorizations," the MEI release states.

The Russian side will decide on the additional permit quota for 2019 after monitoring the participation rate of Russian transport operators on the Moldovan-Russian market of bilateral freight services, but not later than October 15.

"The Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure has repeatedly requested the issuance of an additional quota of permits - 7000, bilateral / transit freight, for the transport operators in the Republic of Moldova. A meeting with the Russian side is planned to take place shortly, where the issue regarding the quota of authorizations will be also discussed”, says the press release.

In September, 1214 authorizations were issued for 279 transport operators. Between 1 and 17 October, 380 authorizations have been issued to 182 transport operators.