Armenian government decision on cash registers to have devastating impact on bookstores – publisher says

YEREVAN, October 31. / ARKA /. Head of an Armenian publisher’s has condemned today the government for a decision making use of MS 23 51 Mitac cash registers obligatory also for bookstores. Speaking at a news conference Armen Martirosyan, head of Antares publisher’s, said the decision will have a devastating impact on bookstores.

The decision was passed by the government on June 27 and was to become effective from November 1. The cost of a MS 23 51 Mitac cash register is 369,600 drams.

Martirosyan said because bookstores are not among most lucrative businesses the mandatory requirement will have very serious consequences. According to the publisher, the market offers much more affordable cash registers at lower prices, which  meetall the requirements demanded by the government.

Martirosyan said it is not clear why the government chose only one model of cash registers.

“Why is the right to supply such devices is given to one company only? Why not to a dozen companies, which would lead to lower prices? I see only one explanation - someone in Armenia wants to make a round sum quickly and with no effort and the government has given him this opportunity," Martirosyan said.

A government meeting was expected today to look into this issue and postpone the enforcement of the decision by one month. It was also to set the lowest possible price of the cash register. .-0-