OREANDA-NEWS. July 29, 2014. This is stated in comments to the press, which were made by the Director of the Executive Directorate of Association "Union of sugar producers of Moldova" Raisa Bejan. According to her, the Union of sugar producers of Moldova considers it a campaign aimed at the destruction of sugar-beet industry, the attempt of Alexander Bilinkis controlling enterprise Orhei-Vit, Moldpresa and Association of manufacturers of canned Speranta-Con, to avenge nipped in 2012, the Union of sugar producers of Moldova the attempt of Orhei-Vit to illegal sugar import.

Raisa Bejan also noted that sugar industry in Moldova today is one of the strategic in the North of our country. The industry turnover exceeds 1.5 billion. In these conditions the European investors and Moldovan farmers are investing hundreds of millions of lei in the development of production of beet sugar in Moldova. Raisa Bejan stressed that in this case, any economic agent can import sugar from the external market with quota provided to Moldova by the WTO agreement (to 6.5 thousand tons) and additional authorizations allocated to the Ministry of economy in case of the deficit.

In 2012, sugar was imported by 6 companies, including Orhei Vit. In 2013 – by 2, mainly by Sudzuker Moldova to cover the deficit at the domestic market. Raisa Bejan noted that most of the industrial consumers of the Republic of Moldova, like their colleagues in EU, are satisfied that the sugar is supplied by the domestic sugar companies- on the basis of long-term contracts, discounts and long delays of payments. That is why the sugar producers took the responsibility of providing the customers with sugar. According to Raisa Bejan, the Union of sugar producers of Moldova considers that the actions of Alexander Bilinkis and his Association of producers of canned goods Speranta-Con which misinform the public and distort facts are an attempt to destroy the existing conditions of the sugar market. The sugar producers said that they have information that the purpose unfolded in Moldovan media campaign, is lobbying for the opening of the Moldovan market for sugar cane.

The Union of sugar producers of Moldova notes that in the access of cane in Moldova is also interested Magt-Vest owned by G. Magdila, which several years ago already tried to bring the cane to the processing this season, according to available information, prepares for the processing of cane at sugar factory in Glodeni. However, this year the conflict has moved to a new level as in July 2012 Orhei Vit tried ignoring the law, to bring to Moldova 200 tons of sugar without authorization, and laboratory confirmation of beet sugar, and sugar Union officially informed the competent authorities of the Republic of Moldova and the Customs service about this which fined Orhei Vit. After several trials in May 2014 Orhei Vit paid the full amount of fine - 895 thousand lei.

The Union of sugar producers drew attention to the fact that nothing prevented Orhei Vit lawfully two months later attempts of illegal import; import legally 100 tons of beet of sugar. Raisa Bejan noted that nothing prevents this company to purchase sugar on quotas, stipulated by the agreement with WTO. However, in her opinion, the owners and management of Orhei Vit crossed the face of common sense and decided to destroy the entire sector of the economy of Republic of Moldova.

The Director of the Executive Directorate of Association "Union of sugar producers of Moldova," stressed that Sudzucker Moldova and the Moldovan-Polish company Moldova Zahar - established mutually beneficial relations with the industrial consumers of the Republic of Moldova. Any complex issues and conflicts of interest are resolved in a civilized manner and competently within the Council by the product line "Sugar beet, sugar and processed products", acting under the Ministry of agriculture of the Republic of Moldova. However, their current opponents ignore this opportunity, while others, much larger consumers of sugar, in particular, the company Bucuria and Franzelutа, take an active part in the work of the Council and together with other participants stated the inadmissibility of opening of Moldovan market for the sugar cane.