Guillermo Tolosa satisfied with anti-crisis policy of RA government

YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS: In case of the absence of the anti-crisis policy of the Armenian government the economic decline and the reduction of economic volumes would be much larger, new representative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Guillermo Tolosa noted today at a meeting with journalists.

According to him, the Armenian government has managed to invest stimuli, which have reduced the economic decline, that is, capital investments have been made, the social allowances have been increased. In G. Tolosa’s opinion, the population, of course, has felt the influence of the crisis; poverty and unemployment have grown. “I do not mean that the government has been so powerful that has managed to isolate the population from hard consequences. But if such steps were not undertaken, the situation would be worse,” G. Tolosa noted.

With the request of a journalist referring to Armenian Prime Minister T. Sargsyan’s statement, according to which there are suspicions that some taxpayers avoid full tax commitments and must pass an international audit, the IMF representative agreed with prime minister’s opinion.

“I should say that in Armenia exists a sub-reality, and the tax collection ratio, compared with the volumes of economy, is low,” G. Tolosa said.

According to him, the IMF supports the inspection of the State Revenue Committee which deals with large taxpayers, in order it expands its role and capabilities. “We find that inspection must have larger role and involvement. And we support this sub-division in expanding its role and capabilities,” G. Tolosa underscored.