Moldovan customs service collected over 20 billion lei in state budget last year

Chisinau, 4 January /MOLDPRES/- The Moldovan Customs Service collected over 20 billion lei in the state budget last year, up by 3 billion than in 2016, which is 17 per cent. Customs Director General Vitalie Vrabie made the statement today.

Vrabie noted that the Customs Service worked last year according to the program worked out by the government and the EUBAM mission. “The priority directions were to strengthen functional capacities, develop infrastructure, improve the legislative framework, increase transparency in activity and combat illegal trafficking in goods. Also, a priority was the adjustment of the customs legislation in accordance with the Association Agreement with the EU”, he said.

“The number of customs declarations in 2017 was particularly high on import and export, with an increase of 13 per cent. At the same time, several reports on contravention have been drawn up and fines amounting to over 87,000 lei have been imposed. During the same period, the flow of transport units amounted to about 98,000 crossings,” he said.

Vrabie said that a goal for this year is development of joint border control. “At the border with Ukraine we currently have six joint checkpoints. At the same time, there is project to initiate negotiations on establishment of joint control at three posts at the Moldovan-Romanian border. We are waiting for a response and we have the capabilities to ensure effective joint control. In 2018 we are committed to build three modern terminals in the country”, he said.

According to data, several cars, computers, equipment and suits for employees were purchased last year.

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor A. Răileanu)