Moldovan premier congratulates customs service on 25 years

Chisinau, 2 September /MOLDPRES/ – Prime Minister Pavel Filip participated today in the ceremony to celebrate the 25th anniversary of creation of the customs authority of the Republic of Moldova. The event was held at the Republican Palace and gathered a large number of participants, including: state officials, representatives of diplomatic corps, similar structures in Ukraine and Romania, but also veterans of the institution, the government’s communication and media relations department has reported.

On this occasion, Mr. Filip congratulated all the employees of the Customs Service, noted that the government pays special attention to this structure and appreciates the effort to ensure revenues to the state budget. "I would like to remark that to the day, it was able to collect into the state budget with about 800 million more than in the same period of 2015," the prime minister said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the substantial contribution of the Customs Service in the implementation of the Association Agreement with EU, in particular the provisions of the Free Trade Agreement, expressed confidence that this would continue including the drafting of the new Customs Code to be harmonized with the European Union. This will significantly ease the economic activity and the whole society in terms of the relationship with the customs.

"I have to mention the recent successes of the Customs Service towards facilitating cross-border trade through the program by authorized customs and business partnership development, through the Consultative Committee of the Customs Service with business representatives. In particular, I welcome the continuation of efforts to achieve continuous improvement of business environment," added the Prime Minister.

The PM said, however, that in this area there are reserves to be exploited. In this context, Pavel Filip stressed the importance of continuing initiated reforms to optimize the structure of the Customs Service to enhance professionalism and integrity of customs officers. "The purpose of these reforms is to streamline the work of the Customs Service to change the negative image cultivated over the years, to finally form a more professional, efficient and united staff," the Prime Minister concluded.

Every year, on 4 September, the Moldovan Customs Service employees mark their professional day. The institution is part of the law enforcement and state security with the mission of ensuring the country's economic security through efficient collection of taxes, combating customs fraud; facilitate international trade and protection of society.

(Editor M. Jantovan)