Meeting on evolution of de-monopolization of scrap metal market held at Moldovan government

Chisinau, 22 January /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Ion Chicu today summoned a meeting to consider the evolution of the process of de-monopolization of the scrap metal market. Attending the event were Minister Anatol Usatii, state secretary Iulian Postica, decision-makers from the National Motor Transport Agency and Public Services Agency, as well as the companies licenced for activities of collecting and sale of scrap metal, excepting the company who held the monopoly in the past, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.

At the beginning of the meeting, Ion Chicu said: “Today, we discuss the work of the economic agents licenced in the field of scrap metal collection. We will remove any monopoly which hinders the competitive development of the business. We want to know what problems do you face and how can we improve the activity conditions.”   

Anatol Usatii informed the PM about that fact that the Economics and Infrastructure Ministry had considered the problems in the sector on the entire chain of collection - transport – commercialization, in order to learn the elements which can be improved.    

The ANTA leadership informed the prime minister about the measures undertaken to prevent pressures on behalf of inspectors on the transport companies, which included the implementation of a set of procedures meant to combat corruption at the structure.  

The representatives of the licenced companies thanked the government for the market’s liberalization and opportunity to communicate directly and openly. The participants in the meeting stressed the increase in the cost of the scrap metal after the implementation of the de-monopolization actions.

At the meeting, a representative of a licenced operator said that there were cases of pressure on behalf of the former monopolist on sellers, carriers and buyers of scrap metal. The prime minister asked for evidence and assured that the authorities would take resolute measures on each case proved.

PM Chicu highlighted the need to follow the origin of the metal, to prevent deliberate thefts of metals, in order to sell them as scrap metal.   

In the end of the meeting, the prime minister instructed to set up a working group, due to collect the problems and identify solutions to them, providing a full observance of the national legal framework, especially the observance of the requirements meant to protect the national roads.