Companies from the Transnistrian region that import petroleum products, such as gasoline and diesel, will have to pay taxes to the budget of the Republic of Moldova, as part of a gradual process of fiscal harmonization between the two banks of the Dniester. The statement was made by the head of the Reintegration Policy Bureau, Valeriu Chiveri, during the “Reality is watching you” show on Realitatea TV.
According to the official, the authorities in Chisinau aim to create a common economic, fiscal and customs space, and the introduction of taxes for certain imports from the left bank of the Dniester is part of this process.
In this context, companies in the region that import energy resources, including gasoline and diesel, have already been notified that they will have to pay the energy efficiency tax.
“When we talk about July 1 as a benchmark for the start of this VAT, excise and other taxes accumulation process, we are not talking about an overnight application. It will be a gradual process,” said Valeriu Chiveri.
According to him, the authorities do not aim to cause an economic or humanitarian shock in the region, which is why the implementation of the new fiscal rules will be phased and could take up to three years.
The official clarified that the purpose of these measures is to equalize the conditions of economic activity for companies on both banks of the Dniester, including in terms of import and export operations.
The collected taxes, including those from VAT, excise, customs duties and the energy efficiency tax – will be directed into a Convergence Fund, which is expected to finance social and infrastructure projects.
Viktor Gușan, considered the most influential businessman in the region, leads the “Sheriff” holding, a company that operates in almost all sectors of the Transnistrian economy, from food retail, car and fuel import, to hotel services, telecommunications, cryptocurrency, banking and insurance. The group also controls a significant media network and exports locally produced alcoholic beverages.