Cuiumju Questions Prices of Instruments for Moldova’s National Collection

Cuiumju: “Musical instruments are being procured for the National Collection at a price five times higher than the market rate”

MP Constantin Cuiumju demanded clarification regarding the cost of the musical instruments planned for import into the National Collection of Musical Instruments of the Republic of Moldova. Their procurement, using public funds, is to be carried out through a Romanian company. According to the MP, the prices of some instruments are several times higher than those of similar items from other European workshops.

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“We welcome the addition of musical instruments to the National Collection, but we do have some questions. The project involves the import of 24 string instruments with a total value of 270,000 euros (excluding VAT) from Florion Lemn Prod. The price of a violin is 10,000 euros, a viola 12,000 euros, a cello 14,000 euros and a double bass 16,000 euros. “By way of comparison: in the workshops of Reghin in Romania, handmade violins cost around 2,000–2,900 euros,” said Cuiumju during the debate on the bill to exempt the import of these instruments from VAT and customs duties.

“Thus, the price of a single violin at 10,000 euros is 3.5–5 times higher,” noted Cuiumju.

The MP demanded clarification on how the procurement was organised and how the supplier was selected.

“What procurement procedure was used, who took part in the tender, how was the supplier selected, and what evidence is there of its ability to supply instruments of this calibre? On what basis was the price justified?” asked the MP.

“We support this project, but the way the procurement was carried out still raises doubts,” concluded Constantin Cuiumju.

This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.The translation was also reviewed by the Logos Press editorial team.

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