Representatives of customs bureaus and Customs Service departments received 97 vehicles today. The procurement was funded from the state budget. The investment totals at 19.8 million lei, IPN reports.
Premier Pavel Filip pointed out, while introducing the fleet additions, that the work of each Customs Service employee has a major impact on Moldova’s image. “The Customs have changed. Citizens give more positive feedback on the quality of customs services, on the attitude of customs officers at border checkpoints. This doesn’t require financial investments, but a change of mentality and attitude when working with people,” said Pavel Filip.
The Prime Minister specified that the Customs Service brought about three billion lei to the state budget in 2017, 18% more than last year. “These are the results of the reforms launched in 2016. You have better salaries, we can provide you with the necessary equipment, and the state budget has grown as well. Beyond all these, you have benefited from the investments of our development partners. All these elements, taken together, yield results,” stated Prime Minister Pavel Filip.
Customs Service Director General Vitalie Vrabie elaborated on the necessity of expanding the car park. “The vehicles, once put to use in our departments, will help increase mobility and intervention capacity, especially in immediate response and criminal investigation services, whose mission is to react promptly to any given scenario,” Vitalie Vrabie pointed out.
The procurement decision was taken after 101 vehicles had been put out of use. The automobiles were bought through a public auction. They are all part of the economy class. The final choice sought both reasonable purchase prices and maintenance costs. Hence, about 50% of the Customs Service car park has been upgraded.
