Thursday, 13 October 2011
Improved Business Environment In Focus
A Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.
To begin with, the Prime Minister touched on the issue of economic competition which was said important in terms of 2012 State budget implementation. The competition-related situation in the wake of legislative amendments was described by the head of State commission on economic competition who answered the questions of Tigran Sargsyan.
In compliance with the presidential decree of October 8, 2011 on the fall call-up and demobilization campaign, the government decided to set up central and regional call-up commissions, endorsing the national medical board’s composition and ordering a number of necessary actions.
The meeting backed a set of draft amendments to the Law on State Educational Inspectorate with a view to reducing corruption risks and ruling out the possibility of legislative misinterpretations in the sphere of education.
Concerning this initiative, the head of government pointed out, “Although we have a 5% improvement in terms of public understanding with corruption being curbed step by step due to good organization of this year’s entrance exams, yet the problem is serious. We have made unprecedented progress this year with no incidences of corruption recorded during the entrance exams which could well be called as free and fair. Nonetheless, there is still much to do in this area. The amendments are needed to get a full toolkit against corruption in the field of education.”
The mentioned bills along with government’s findings will be submitted to the National Assembly in the manner established by law.
The Cabinet next amended the statute of Armenia’s Higher Qualification Commission. Though as stated by the Prime Minister: “Best international standards will have to be phased into the sphere of education in order to get rid of the obsolete Soviet system. You may understand that it cannot be done overnight and should go hand-in-hand with the ongoing educational reform so that our universities strengthen their overall rating before we can introduce a European system. The institute of HQC will be maintained for the time being but it seems clear that the Higher Qualification Commission will have to be ousted over time.”
Endorsing the contract signed between the Ministry of Economy and Akhtamar CJSC, the government decided to extend till October 15, 2014 the VAT holiday accorded to the company for imports of goods and equipment to the cost of AMD 300mn and over as implemented under the stipulated investment program.
Akhtamar CJSC is going to build a tourist complex on a site of 20 hectares in Gegharkunik marz to a total cost of AMD 830mn including small hotels (cottages), catering facilities, playgrounds, entertainment centers and downhill skiing routes ensuring some 110 jobs.
The “temporary import” customs mode applicable to the goods imported by Delphinarium-Nemo LLC was extended till November 25, 2014.
Operational in Yerevan since last December, the “dauphinarium” has become a favorite pastime for the residents of Armenia’s capital city. The decision seeks to keep jobs in place and promote wildlife knowledge.
