Declaration of KRIB in support of the opinion declared by the "Bulgarian Oil and Gas Association" on the tightening of measures against the gray sector in the branch "trade in liquid fuels"

Ex. No. 542-00-542/ 19.02.2015

BEFORE

Mr. BOYKO BORISOV

PRIME MINISTER

 OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA

MR VLADISLAV GORANOV

MINISTER OF FINANCE

MRS TEMENUZHKA PETKOVA

MINISTER OF ENERGY

Mr. BOZHIDAR LUKARSKI

MINISTER OF THE ECONOMY

 
MRS. DESISLAVA TANEVA

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD

DECLARATION OF THE CONFEDERATION OF EMPLOYERS AND INDUSTRIALISTS IN BULGARIA

DEAR MINISTER-PRESIDENT,

DEAR MINISTERS,

We are turning to you to express our full support for the opinion declared by the "Bulgarian Oil and Gas Association" to tighten measures against the gray sector in the "liquid fuels trade" branch.

At a time when the main problem to be solved before the country is reducing the budget deficit, the state should concentrate all its efforts on generating revenue, higher collection of tax obligations and cutting smuggling. The quantitative dimension of the latter in the "liquid fuels" sector is expressed in gigantic abuses of over 1.4 billion liters of diesel and is equal to over 35% of the annual diesel market in the Republic of Bulgaria (based on data from an analysis by the Ministry of Finance from January 2015 and the National Statistical Institute). At the same time, according to a recently published economic study, Bulgaria ranks first among the countries in the European Union - with a share of the gray economy of over 30%.

According to KRIB, against the background of the presented shocking facts, the tightening of control is the only possible way to limit tax evasion and cross the smuggling channels. The government should not bend under populist pressure and retreat from its stated policy in the fuel sector.

At a regular meeting of the Board of KRIB, held on 18.02.2015, the organization discussed in detail the declarations of BPGA (in support of strengthening control in the industry) with the participation of the affected parties, including representatives of the agricultural, transport and construction sectors.

We categorically state that any form of state regulation to tighten control in the industry should be applied to all persons carrying out deliveries, storage and filling with liquid fuels, which is the philosophy of the Act.

At the KRIB meeting, the relatively low price of the measurement and control systems, which should be purchased and installed by the so-called stationary departmental gas stations. Regarding the supply of agricultural and other machinery at the place where they carry out their activity, we have taken into account the requirements of the ADR Convention for the carriage of dangerous goods by road. According to it, the transport of fuels up to 1000 liters per vehicle can be carried out without complying with the requirements й. This is a reasonable amount for small and medium-sized businesses, which guarantees the smooth implementation of their various activities (transportation, construction, agriculture).

According to the initial draft of the NID of Regulation No. H-18, fully supported by KRIB, the requirement for the so-called mobile objects is only the placement of fiscal devices, the value of which is insignificant. Regarding all other problematic aspects, KRIB will seek, through its partners - BPGA and other branch organizations, suitable forms of financing mobile supplies that do not hinder control.

Last but not least, KRIB insists on strengthening the control of fuel and crude oil imports, especially through the port infrastructure of the Republic of Bulgaria.

In this regard, we once again demand that the Government show firmness and consistency in terms of tightening control over the so-called departmental gas stations and mobile sites.

/P/  KYRILL DOMUSCHIEV

CHAIRMAN OF KRIB