According to the academician, Armenia’s economy has 6 main “black holes” (shortcomings), after overcoming which only one may think of boosting investment growth.
“Changes were necessary in Armenia’s economic policy. And formation of the new Government is an impetus itself, that those changes will take place. It’s also obvious from the mandate, that the country’s president gave to the PM.”
Aghanbegyan stated that together with the GSCM founder Radik Vadunts they visited all the regions of Armenia, met heads of companies, local authorities, MPs. At the same time, they worked towards studying Armenia’s social-economic condition.
The amended version of the Tax Code, which was introduced into the agenda of NA extraordinary session by the second reading, rather late appeared on NA official website. The MPs and experts basically had no time to familiarize with the amendments after the first reading and mainly had to be led by the speech and answers of RA SRC Deputy Chairman Vakhtang Mirumyan.
“Appoint me head of department for a week and I’ll exactly give numbers. Mr. Mirumyan, you wrote a number, am I a child that you mislead me and ignore my word? By the indices we again will be back from neighboring Georgia. For instance, I can eliminate VAT on the border for 3 years, which I did in 1996.”
Penalties for delaying taxes, defined by the tax legislation, are being considerably reduced: it comprised 0.15% upon the existent law, currently it’s defined 0.75%. The Government considers if the taxpayer was disciplined and didn’t manage to pay out of certain reasons, he should be able to continue his activity, and not close the business and leave.
The draft Tax Code to be voted at NA extraordinary session finally may be found on NA official website. SME Cooperation Association revealed some details.
The revision of gas and electricity tariff policy will be discussed under the supervision of Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan after the Government’s session. After the session the PM asked the Chairman of the Public Services Regulatory Commission Robert Nazaryan how much time is needed for presenting proposals on the revision of the policy.
“Monopolies should be treated in the following way: country’s being small will lead to the point that there won’t be any big actor, it’s another question—does it originate in fair, competitive conditions or in an administrative way? There will be equal conditions. If any of them is successive business, we’re not going to seize that in any way.”
“Does Armenia’s economy has a formula to be reproduced without fight against shadow? No. Should we attempt to do that? Yes. Will we succeed? We’ll see. Are we determined? Yes.”
