Importers/exporters ratio – 3:1

“The cost of business” survey, produced by the “International Development Alternatives” NGO, highlighted only 11% of responders who performed export transactions over the last 3 years, with an annual average of 19 transactions. For passing through all the custom exports procedures, companies spent 1.7 days at a cost of USD 77. 37% of all the exporters were refunded the Value Added Tax. In the majority of cases, companies prefer to use the money for VAT in order to pay other taxes. At the same time, 33% of the responders operated in the last three years import transactions. About 72% of them were obliged to obtain certificates of conformity with the standards of the R. of Moldova. The costs for obtaining the certificate reduced compared to the 2001 – 2003 period, reaching the level of USD 95. Customs expenses are much more reduced compared to the data obtained in the polls of 2003-2004. On the whole, the exports of the R. of Moldova, in January - August current year, summed up USD 635.5 mln which represent 7.2% less than in the same period of the last year. In the same period, the imports topped USD 1.613 mln which represents 12.8% more comparative to the respective period of 2005. The significant difference in the evolution of exports and imports in January - August current year caused the accumulation of a deficit of the commercial balance estimated at USD 977.5 mln, which is by USD 256.3 mln or 26.22% more than that registered in the same period of 2005.