Thursday, 25 October 2012
Armenia Boasts Best Business Environment In CIS
According to the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation’s “Flexible settings for SMEs – 2013” report, dated October 23, 2012, as compared to last year, Armenia has improved its standing by 18 points to the 32nd position among 175 countries.
Note that the report is drawn up by businesses and government agencies based on questionnaire summaries.
As Minister of Economy Tigran Davtyan told today’s press conference, this year’s performance is unprecedented for our country which has managed a 29-point improvement for the last two years.
”This speaks to the fact that these developments are of continued nature. This points to a qualitative change and I think we still have much work to do on this way,” the Minister said.
Armenia’s greatest achievement was recorded in the “Investor Protection” category, where we gained 73 points and soared to the 25th position from the previous 98. The “Tax Collection” index was improved by 44 points, taking Armenia to the 108th position from 152, “Access to Electricity” index is better by 42 points ensuring the 101st standing as compared to last year’s 143. Finally, we are up 3 points in the “Construction Permit” category.
T. Davtyan also advised that according to the report, Armenia has the best business environment in the CIS and is the second in the region behind Georgia.
Deputy Minister Karine Minasyan presented the business environment improving projects.
Deputy Head of State Revenue Committee Armen Alaverdyan said the Cabinet sitting-adopted decision on “Registration of taxpayer proxy identification cards” provides for the introduction of income tax from January 1, 2013.
“As you know, income tax reports are to be submitted exclusively electronically. Those citizens authorized by their respective organizations to submit electronic reports will have to get identification cards from the police passport and visa department’s local divisions, applying for a password and getting on record with the tax authority,” he said.
Mr. Alaverdyan further advised that the government will provide free electronic signatures and AMD3000 refunds for state duty paid in quest of ID cards by this November 30.
