Thursday, 5 September 2013
Armenia’s Competitiveness Upgraded
A Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.
Opening the meeting, the Prime Minister informed that Armenia’s World Competitiveness Report standing has improved. After detailed information on the subject had been provided by the Chairman of the State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition, Tigran Sargsyan took the floor to speak about our country’s achievements and shortcomings (see separately).
The Government extended until October 12, 2016 the “temporary import” customs regime for goods and equipment imported by the Institute of Geological Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. The Institute and the SINICA Academy of Taiwan signed a memorandum in 2011 with the purpose of carrying out research in the Caucasus region in the field of geology, seismology, active tectonics and volcanic sciences. As a result, 8 sets of geolocation equipment has been imported into Armenia. The aforementioned devices are currently used for long-term monitoring of geodynamic processes that will receive the most comprehensive information about mountain building in the clashes of the Earth’s crust and magmatism, as well as the features of the geological structure of the Earth’s crust.
By another decree, the Government allowed a three-year extension on term of the “temporary import” customs regime on goods and equipment imported by Akhtamar CJSC. As early s in 2009, the company started an investment program aimed at developing tourism, imported technical equipment for the construction and operation of a cableway on Sevan peninsula. Currently, the program continues and, in addition to providing high-quality hospitality services, the company intends to provide skiing services.
Amending a series of its previous decrees, the Government decided to funnel the savings from the implementation of regional programs toward the decision of community problems of top priority. With a view to building a new customs checkpoint in Shaqi village of Syunik Marz, the Government resorted to exclusive public interest with regard to 7.1ha agricultural land owned by the residents of the community and 0.56 hectares of community ownership.
The meeting next decided to allow those households displaced from Azerbaijan in 1992, which subsequently were granted Armenian citizenship, to privatize the residential premises situated at the following addresses currently assigned to the State Property Management Department’s administrative staff: Shiraki 2a, Street 6, Vardashen and Moldovakan 70, number 1, as well as the hostel belonging to the engineering college of Abovyan.
The Government allocated AMD7mn to the Ministry of Culture of Armenia for the printing of Anton Kochinyan 100th anniversary-dated books, referred to as “Anton Kochinyan: life and activity" and “Anton Kochinyan in the memories of compatriots.”
In conclusion, the meeting decided to appoint Karen Tamazyan to be Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Armenia.
