Tweet
Hraparak: Armenia - a country of kickbacks
tert.am
09:50 - 11.08.12
In all the post-Soviet states `kickbacks' sometimes reach a ridiculous
level - up to 70%. The point is that the people `in charge of the
results' of various programs set their kickback rates. The practice is
sometimes almost legalized.
For instance, a foreign company would apply for construction of a
monumental complex, and the Yerevan Municipality official in charge
openly offers the company to arrange about the kickback before it gets
permission. Or Armenia's Ministry of Culture does not allow a company
that wins a contest for renovating a historical and cultural monument
to start working as it has not got its `share.'
The newspaper is surprised at a statement by one of Armenian
ministers, who said that his protégé company's failure to win the
contest was `a personal insult' to him and did his utmost for the
program, which was of high importance for Armenia, to fail. After the
organizers had the problem resolved at the presidential level, the
minister shamelessly announced his intention to inform the president
that the program was sponsored by the opposition.
tert.am
09:50 - 11.08.12
In all the post-Soviet states `kickbacks' sometimes reach a ridiculous
level - up to 70%. The point is that the people `in charge of the
results' of various programs set their kickback rates. The practice is
sometimes almost legalized.
For instance, a foreign company would apply for construction of a
monumental complex, and the Yerevan Municipality official in charge
openly offers the company to arrange about the kickback before it gets
permission. Or Armenia's Ministry of Culture does not allow a company
that wins a contest for renovating a historical and cultural monument
to start working as it has not got its `share.'
The newspaper is surprised at a statement by one of Armenian
ministers, who said that his protégé company's failure to win the
contest was `a personal insult' to him and did his utmost for the
program, which was of high importance for Armenia, to fail. After the
organizers had the problem resolved at the presidential level, the
minister shamelessly announced his intention to inform the president
that the program was sponsored by the opposition.