The rise in sales in the trade sector in the Easter period brought VAT collection for March back into positive territory compared with the similar period of 2009, with the increasing standing at 15% and finally indicating an economic rebound.
In January VAT revenues had fallen by 25.8% and by 6.6% in February, with an 11.5% decline recorded in the first quarter of the year.
Food producers say VAT collection rose in March only as a result of Easter sales and expect April sales to be more or less similar to those recorded in 2009, when Easter was celebrated towards the end of April.
"A rise in consumption is not noticeable at present. Sales went up over the Easter period, but the following week they saw a steep fall due to the low purchasing power," said Mihai Petrea, general manager of Lactaprod Braila. His opinion is shared by Constantin Boromiz, shareholder of Boromir Ramnicu Valcea, one of the biggest producers in the bakery sector, who believes we will only know in May if there is a rebound in consumption.
VAT brings the most money to the state budget, but Finance Minister Sebastian Vladescu says we are far from hiking this tax.
"Things are being analysed. As far as I am concerned, we are far from hiking the main taxes, i.e. VAT and the flat tax. Hiking taxes right now would not have a positive impact," said Vladescu on Pro TV.
The rise in sales in the trade sector in the Easter period brought VAT collection for March back into positive territory compared with the similar period of 2009, with the increasing standing at 15% and finally indicating an economic rebound.
In January VAT revenues had fallen by 25.8% and by 6.6% in February, with an 11.5% decline recorded in the first quarter of the year.
Food producers say VAT collection rose in March only as a result of Easter sales and expect April sales to be more
