Tiraspol, 4 April. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. The chairman of the government of the PMR, Alexander Martynov, has met Russia's State Duma member Artyom Turov. The prime minister told the Russian MP about the current economic situation in Pridnestrovie.
«The situation has never been very good. As of 1 January 2017, the government faced a considerable budget deficit of about 700 million roubles. The deficit that had not been covered by any sources, which jeopardised the fulfilment of the social obligations of the state. The situation in the exchange market was and remains very difficult," said the prime minister.
According to Alexandr Martynov, the new government has, first of all, implemented a set of measures aimed at replenishing the state coffers at the expense of the resources that had previously been unavailable.
«We were guided by the results of checks by the Audit Chamber. As a result of these urgent measures, tens of millions of roubles have returned to the budget. This and other measures taken by the government and Supreme Council made it possible to finance the state's social obligations in the first quarter of 2017 without money emission," said the prime minister, mentioning that in the first half of 2016 the state had instead resorted to money emission to cover the budget deficit.
Alexander Martynov also noted that the government had managed to return the team of former managers to Moldovan Steel Plant (MMZ) and started production.
Besides, the prime minister informed the Russian MP that road maps were being developed in Pridnestrovie to enhance the country's business environment and export support. In addition to officials, this work also involves businessmen, civil society and Russian experts from the Agency for Strategic Initiatives.
At the same time, according to Martynov, Pridnestrovie needs foreign support to succeed in reforms. «It is clear that Pridnestrovie needs support for the period of reforms. Our budget deficit still remains fairly serious and to this end we have requested the Russian Federation to grant us a stabilisation loan," said the prime minister.
According to Martynov, it is the allocation of a target loan, rather than a request for humanitarian assistance.
«To that end, we have proposed the Russian authorities to conduct an audit of state finances to make it clear what are the purposes of us borrowing money, to which extent it is necessary and vital," said Alexander Martynov.
Russian experts are now working in this direction. Based on the result of their work, the final decision will be made on granting a loan.
Alexander Martynov asked the Russian MP to assist in allocating financial assistance. Artyom Turov noted that he and other MPs representing Pridnestrovie would raise the issue of providing assistance to the republic in Russia's relevant ministries.
