CHISINAU. April 5 (Interfax) - Chisinau has restricted exports of dual-purpose goods from the Transdniestrian region, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Oleg Serebrian told journalists when explaining the reasons for restricting exports from the Tiraspol-based Electromash plant.
"This problem is about security rather than reintegration. It is related to the products of the enterprise and their export. The issue is within the remit of the commission that deals with dual-purpose goods. The situation around companies from the right bank of the Dniester is the same. Products exported by certain companies both from the right bank and the left bank of the Dniester may be designated as dual-purpose goods, which means that they could be used for military or similar purposes. The export of such goods to certain destinations is banned," Serebrian said.
"We have spoken to the company's director, and are doing everything possible to adjust these destinations," he said.
The Transdniestrian authorities said that Electromash had to suspend operations from April 1, and "600 workers have been left without income". The Tiraspol administration blamed the situation on the Moldovan authorities, who "are blocking the plant's exports". The enterprise specializes in manufacturing alternating current electric machines of explosion-proof and general industrial design for the drives of pumping, ventilation, and other types of equipment intended for coal, chemical, oil, gas, mining, metallurgical, energy and other industries. Electromash exports its products to more than 40 countries.