EX-FINANCE MINISTER CALLS FOR ABOLISHING TAXES FOR MICRO BUSINESSES
/ARKA/
11 June, 2012
YEREVAN
A former Armenian finance minister Edward Sandoyan said on Sunday
that exempting micro businesses from taxes would help create many
new jobs. Sandoyan, who is now pro-rector of the Russian-Armenian
University in Yerevan, said this would help cut unemployment rate
by 30-35 percent. The former minister urged also the government to
decentralize economy.
Speaking at a talk-show at Kentron TV station Sandoyan said market
mechanisms do not operate in an economy dominated by oligopolies and
monopolies and only creation of an effective business environment
would allow producing competitive goods.
"Build a normal business environment and it will do the rest of the
job. Destroy all monopolies and create equal competitive conditions
for all,' he said.
According to Sandoyan, the opening of Turkish-Armenian border would
become a powerful impetus for Armenian economic progress. 'If we
regard Turkey as a transit country, not a market for Armenian goods,
and if the border were open we would become part of a large system and
large players would arrive here and our local oligarchs would not stand
the competition because their management is very ineffective,' he said.
He said the country's political and business elite should realize
this and press for it.
"Experience has shown that the current business model is not effective,
it in fact puts brakes on our economic advance. It should be realized
by the authorities. There is a chance and I am an optimist," said
Sandoyan.
/ARKA/
11 June, 2012
YEREVAN
A former Armenian finance minister Edward Sandoyan said on Sunday
that exempting micro businesses from taxes would help create many
new jobs. Sandoyan, who is now pro-rector of the Russian-Armenian
University in Yerevan, said this would help cut unemployment rate
by 30-35 percent. The former minister urged also the government to
decentralize economy.
Speaking at a talk-show at Kentron TV station Sandoyan said market
mechanisms do not operate in an economy dominated by oligopolies and
monopolies and only creation of an effective business environment
would allow producing competitive goods.
"Build a normal business environment and it will do the rest of the
job. Destroy all monopolies and create equal competitive conditions
for all,' he said.
According to Sandoyan, the opening of Turkish-Armenian border would
become a powerful impetus for Armenian economic progress. 'If we
regard Turkey as a transit country, not a market for Armenian goods,
and if the border were open we would become part of a large system and
large players would arrive here and our local oligarchs would not stand
the competition because their management is very ineffective,' he said.
He said the country's political and business elite should realize
this and press for it.
"Experience has shown that the current business model is not effective,
it in fact puts brakes on our economic advance. It should be realized
by the authorities. There is a chance and I am an optimist," said
Sandoyan.