Belarus halts wine imports from Moldova
Belarus stopped issuing certificates for the import of wine products from Moldova and Georgia, Info-Prim Neo reports.
In Wednesday's meeting of the Government, Prime Minister Vlad Filat said the order was made by the Belorussian Deputy Minister of Health, who is also the country's chief sanitary inspector. Under the order, no import certificates will be issued from April 4 until new instructions are given.
Vlad Filat instructed the minister of foreign affairs and the agriculture minister to find out the reasons for such a decision. He said that it might be an artificial blockage. If so, Moldova will have to review its priorities in choosing its economic partners.
“Trolleybuses are made in other countries as well,” said the Premier, referring to the contract for the purchase of 102 trolleybuses signed by the Chisinau City Hall and the Belorussian plant Belkommunmash. At the request of the Chisinau administration, the Government ordered that no customs duties be levied on the import of these units of transport.
Last year Moldova exported to Belarus wine products to the value of US$41.3 million. Moldova's exports to Belarus represented 23.8% of the total exports, as against 35% to Russia.
