Karine Minasyan: Armenia strives to have better business environment

YEREVAN, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS: A number of events are implemented for improvement of the business environment in Armenia. Armenian Deputy Minister of Economy Karine Minasyan gave an interview to Armenpress about the works implemented in that direction and about the tasks for future.

-Mrs. Minasyan, what we mean by saying improvement of business environment, and what steps are undertaken in that direction?

-By saying improvement of business environment we mean creating for business such an atmosphere, that businessmen implement their activity with low expenses and minimum risks. That principle is mainly laid in the basis of our reforms. Taking it into consideration, we implement reforms in different directions decreasing the administrative obstacles.

The general business environment is a wide field. For that very reason we implement serious reforms in several large directions. The first step is the facilitation of the procedure of business registration. It has already been brought to life, and everybody can make use of that simple procedure. Today there is a possibility of registering the business in a very short period of time –within half an hour maximum. Today we also have created conditions for implementing the registration process in an electronic version. It is a very big step in our reality related o facilitation of this procedure.

A solution has been given to a number of issues as well, the terms of presentation of the reports and the periodicity of payment of the taxes have been changed, we have joined the day of presenting of the payment and reports, etc. These seem to be small steps, but considerably reduce the business expenses and needless contacts with tax bodies.

-What kind of issues does the sphere currently face and what kind of changes are expected in near future?

-We have undertaken one more legislative change, according to which the periodicity of the property and land taxation will be reduced. It is still under discussion, we hope it will be ready in near future and will soon be submitted to the National Assembly.

We have started reforms in the sphere of revisions. Changes are intended in the law on revisions. It means that all the revision bodies must implement a revision based on the risks. We intend to apply a new approach in the process of revisions – introduction of revision papers. A distinct questionnaire will be defined for oversight bodies, through which the revisions will be implemented.

The changes implemented in the procedure of providing construction license are applied from this year. If a chemical factory is constructed, it is clear that complicated procedures are expected, for there are issues on protection of the neighboring surrounding, etc. We cooperate with Yerevan Musicality, which has expressed readiness of support.

-What steps are undertaken in the direction of increasing of the competence level of businessmen on the reforms?

-This issue is in the focus of attention of the Ministry. We periodically come forth with initiatives in that direction. At the end of the last year we prepared an electronic report on the implemented reforms. We intend designing of an electronic map of all processes: if the person wants to register the business, then the map will show what must be done and what kind of documents are necessary.

We understand that it is not enough; the process must be of continuous nature. We attach importance to the competence level of businessmen, for if they are not competent, our bureaucrats very often make use of it.

Businessmen must be attentive, follow the procedures and inform how much those reforms are brought to life. Armenia strives to have a better business environment, especially that the regional competitiveness is large in that regard.

We carry out works with a serious tempo, and businessmen will feel the positive influence.