Tiraspol, 4 July. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Since the start of 2017, compared to the similar period of 2016, exports of Pridnestrovian goods to Russia have risen by 55% and to Belarus threefold, according to data presented at a meeting of the Public Council on Customs Policy under the State Customs Committee (SCC).
In particular, the export of oilseeds and grains have increased by 89%, and ferrous metals by 29%.
The volume of imports, at the same time, has remained at last year's level, but for some items, such as clothing, the volume of imported goods has increased fourfold, and the amount of collected duties had doubled.
According to Vitaly Nyagu, the revival of economic activities is largely due to measures taken by the SCC to eliminate unnecessary barriers. He noted, in the meantime, that the committee had fulfilled all presidential orders.
«This is the development of a system advising economic agents and citizens on customs issues, a change in state inspection procedures. We have also changed the procedure for declaration and control of the customs value of imported goods, reduced import duties on food products and spare parts for agricultural equipment, introduced benefits for a specific category of citizens allowing them to import a single motor car at a reduced rate," he explained
At the same time, the committee took a number of other steps to simplify customs procedures for the business community. Thus, the procedure of conditional release of goods — this is what local manufacturers have long asked for — have been significantly simplified. Exporters have been allowed to submit customs declarations to any customs office regardless of the place of registration, whereas importers are permitted now to declare homogeneous goods produced in different countries under the same name. Economic agents enjoying the status of Bona Fide Exporter/Importer have regained preferences for the payment of customs escort services.
«We paid special attention to simplifying customs clearance procedures for agricultural products. We have changed the procedure of the CT-1 certification, which is not compulsory now," said Lipovtsev.
Individual entrepreneurs are now able to declare imported goods directly at the customs checkpoint, whereas earlier they had to do it in regional customs offices. Besides, customs duties and be paid in any currency.
The SCC specially noted the positive impact of reduced import tariffs. Working together with the Ministry of Economic Development has reduced or zeroed rates on 760 commodity codes.
This has increased turnover and, as a result, customs payments to the budget — by nearly 11% compared to the first half of 2016, with the plan for the first half of 2017 being executed at 114%.
Meanwhile, the council also discussed other measures to boost economic activities in our country.
This includes, for example, the transition to a system of electronic exchange of information between Pridnestrovian and Russian customs agencies. The corresponding agreement has been reached and is currently in the process of implementation.
«During a meeting with the head of Russia's Federal Customs Service, Vladimir Bulavin, we have agreed to sign a protocol decision on electronic exchange of information to simplify access to Russian markets for our manufacturers. Our side has already signed this agreement, including the terms of the agreement. Now the document is to be signed by the Russian customs authorities," said Vitaly Nyagu, underscoring that Pridnestrovian and Moldovan agricultural producers had been permitted to export their goods through any Russian customs checkpoint.
The entrepreneurs that were present at the meeting made a number of other suggestions and comments, which the SCC promised to take into account and implement if possible.
