Former minister of finance Mihai Manole, ex-ambassador to the U.S. and former representative of Moldova to the International Monetary Fund, said the Republic of Moldova loses a lot because it does not implement elements of corporate governance, IPN reports.
In an interview given to RFE/RL’s Moldovan Service, Mihai Manole said RED Union Fenosa, when it left, didn’t ask the state to take over a part of its debts. It just left. In the case of Moldova-Gaz, the situation is more difficult. Today, the debt this company intends to claim from Moldova totals over 122 billion lei, which is three annual budgets. This is the debt for the natural gas that was consumed, but was not paid. Our citizens are very disciplined. 760,000 households of consumers regularly pay for consumption. The problem resides in a component of the mother enterprise Moldovagaz. This is called the daughter enterprise Tiraspoltransgaz, which accumulated this debt,” said the ex-minister of finance.
According to Mihai Manole, this debt cannot appear as there is no connection between the mother enterprise Moldova-Gaz and the daughter enterprise Tiraspoltransgaz. Firstly, the Transnistrian ruble is not recognized and it is not clear how payments can be made, how Tiraspoltransgaz should transfer money to Moldovagaz. Secondly, Tiraspoltransgaz works according to different normative regulatory documents. Thirdly, the gas to Tiraspoltransgaz, on the left side of the Nistru, is sold at lower tariffs than those on the right bank. The collected difference is used to pay a supplement of 100 rubles to pensioners, but no amount is transferred for paying the debt to Moldovagaz.
As the natural gas tariffs are expected to rise in autumn from US$147 to US$200 per 1,000 cubic meters, Mihai Manole stated that not the Prime Minister should be engaged in this process at the initial stage. This aspect should be addressed by officials of the Public Property Agency.
Moldova’s ex-representative to the IMF said discussions on the diminution of the income tax rate from 18% to 12% can appear in the negotiations between Moldova and the International Monetary Fund and the latter will insist on identifying budget formation sources. Moldova will have to sign an agreement with the IMF very swiftly, after the new Government is formed. Difficult periods will follow, but particular unpopular measures will have to be adopted for a better future.
