Residents of the Free Economic Zones (FEZs) will continue to benefit from concessions for the payment of customs duties. A draft law in this regard was given a final reading by Parliament, IPN reports.

The draft law was proposed by PAS MPs Radu Marian and Dorian Istratii, while the amendments to the Customs Code were formulated by the Ministry of Finance. These are among the obligations assumed under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union and are conditionalities for the disbursement of a financing tranche of €50 million.

Thus, the current regime of exemption from the payment of customs duties will be maintained until January 1, 2029. Also, in 2029-2034 the customs duty will be calculated only for inputs without preferential origin.

According to statistical data, 26 residents of Free Economic Zones in 2023 introduced goods processed or subjected for processing within FEZs into the rest of the customs territory of the Republic of Moldova. These residents employ more than 1,200 people.

The new regulations will enter into force on January 1, 2025, but some of the provisions will be applied from 2029.