Wednesday, 19 November 2008
The Business Support Council met, presided at by council head, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan..
The Council discussed questions concerning the necessity and principles of formation of thematic working groups by the BSC, the improvement and development of the business and investment environment of Armenia, the proposals concerning the program, the action plan and the timetable under the tax administration strategy for the period 2008-2011, as well as real sector financing issues and the scheduled rotation of new members in the structure of the BSC.
The Council endorsed the proposed formation of three ad hoc task forces by the BSC. Adviser to RA President, Council Vice-President Vahram Nercisyantz suggested creating the following task forces: on support and stimulation of exports and investments, on regulation and development of tax and customs administration-related normative documents, on improved governance in other business environment regulating spheres (cadastre, construction, State register, copyright, court, allocation and use of lands etc). It was proposed to involve in the performance of specified activities representatives from State bodies and other interested organizations in addition to the members of the Council. The BSC Secretariat was told to provide for the composition of said task forces and name their heads before the next Council meeting.
The BSC took note of the outcome of discussions held within the State bodies concerning the proposals made by BSC Secretariat and the representatives of business community on improvement and development of business and investment environment of Armenia, as well as concerning the proposals made under the program and the action plan under the tax administration strategy for the period 2008-2011. In accordance with the reference paper submitted by the BSC Secretary, proceeding from the assignment of the May 15, 2008 meeting report, nearly 50 organizations representative of the business community have been provided with the draft concept note on improved tax administration and the corresponding action plan, with a request to submit proposals under the foregoing documents, as well as suggestions concerning the elimination of the barriers on the way to developing the business environment. With the purpose of discussing the proposals so received, on July 4, 2008 the BSC Secretariat called a business community meeting (Club of 50) under the chairmanship of council vice-president V. Nercisyantz, which was attended by competent officials from the State Tax Service and the State Customs Committee. Several proposals were made and an arrangement was reached on holding discussions with competent State authorities - concerned ministries and agencies. As a result, in accordance with the Prime Minister's assignment, after analyzing the conclusions received from different State bodies on the package of proposals, the BSC Secretariat prepared a final report for Council consideration.
BSC Secretary, Director General of Armenian Development Agency JSC Robert Haroutunyan presented the results of the scheduled rotation of eight Council members, carried out in accordance with the Prime Minister's decree No 854 -A, dated October 14, 2008. According to the report, the following new members have been involved: the executive directors of Armenian Copper Program CJSC and America CJSC, the chairman of the Yerevan Jewelry Plant OJSC board of directors, the directors-general of Electrical Devices OJSC and Tosp Knitting Factory OJSC, Rusal-Armenia CJSC, the director of Liquor Pharmaceutical Company and the head of the Union of Armenian Banks - legal persons' association. It was proposed to include the Union of Armenian Industrialists and Businessmen (employers) and the Union of Armenian Banks in the Council on a standing basis. As the proposal implies amendment of the established order, it has been decided to discuss the possibility of operating such an amendment.
The session also discussed the issue of enhancing the resistibility of Armenia's economics amidst the current global financial and economic crisis, as well as the government's anti-crisis action plan. The Prime Minister reiterated once again the RA Government's readiness to back any such proposal as will be submitted for getting assistance. Tigran Sargsyan informed the meeting participants on the status of the ongoing talks with the World Bank and other financial institutions to outline the possibilities for getting extra funds.
