Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Vahram Avanesyan: “SME support program effective and to be continued”
Minister of Economy Vahram Avanesyan commented on the Audit Chamber’s 2012 report during today’s GPC-hosted press conference.
First of all, concerning the controversial installation of two bio-toilets in Armenia at the cost of AMD100mn, the Minister said that they were in place and in good working order.
As regards tourism services, V. Avanesyan noted that the Ministry had refrained from practicing mass inspections as they are supposed to me implemented on the basis of risks in order not to put extra pressure on economic entities.
While the Ministry’s Small and Medium Enterprises Support Program had been found ineffective by the Audit Chamber, Mr. Avanesyan said it was effective and should be continued.
According to the Minister, the main reason behind the inefficiency of the financial support for startup businesses is that they have shut down. The speaker said it is no wonder that a startup businesses may dissolve within the first year of activities.
Coming down to the Gyumri techno-park project, which was said to be at standstill in the report, the Minister stated in part: “Far from being at standstill, the project is approved and has a way to go yet. Many small and medium-size companies are wishing to set up offices Gyumri, with a total of about 8 thousand jobs expected over the next 10 years.”
