Land border checkpoints in Armenia to have duty free shops too
15.12.2015,
17:02
At an extraordinary session today the Armenian parliament has passed in the first reading a package of amendments to the law "On VAT", providing for changes in the operation of duty free shops.
YEREVAN, December 15. /ARKA/. At an extraordinary session today the Armenian parliament has passed in the first reading a package of amendments to the law "On VAT", providing for changes in the operation of duty free shops.
Deputy economy minister Garegin Melkonyan said the changes are prompted by the need to ensure equal conditions for duty-free shops in the country. According to him, the changes provide for permission to open duty-free shops at land border checkpoints as well.
He said until now duty-free shops are operated at airports only. He said the proposal to amend the relevant law was made by Duty Free Alliance, which was allowed by the government to operate a duty-free shop at a land border checkpoint in Meghri, in southern Armenia on the border with Iran.
He said Duty Free Alliance plans to invest one million euros in the construction and equipping a border crossing on the border with Georgia which now has no duty-free shop. He also noted that similar services are provided by Georgia and Iran, including on the border with Armenia.
According to him, the world experience shows that the opening of such facilities at land border checkpoints help increase not only exports, but also contribute to the development of tourism and creation of more favorable conditions for free trade. He said the VAT refund system effective at Armenian border check points will be extended to all border crossings.
Armenia has two airports – Zvartnots in Yerevan and Shirak in the second largest city of Gyumri in northern Armenia. Ground customs points operate on borders with Georgia and Iran. -0--
Deputy economy minister Garegin Melkonyan said the changes are prompted by the need to ensure equal conditions for duty-free shops in the country. According to him, the changes provide for permission to open duty-free shops at land border checkpoints as well.
He said until now duty-free shops are operated at airports only. He said the proposal to amend the relevant law was made by Duty Free Alliance, which was allowed by the government to operate a duty-free shop at a land border checkpoint in Meghri, in southern Armenia on the border with Iran.
He said Duty Free Alliance plans to invest one million euros in the construction and equipping a border crossing on the border with Georgia which now has no duty-free shop. He also noted that similar services are provided by Georgia and Iran, including on the border with Armenia.
According to him, the world experience shows that the opening of such facilities at land border checkpoints help increase not only exports, but also contribute to the development of tourism and creation of more favorable conditions for free trade. He said the VAT refund system effective at Armenian border check points will be extended to all border crossings.
Armenia has two airports – Zvartnots in Yerevan and Shirak in the second largest city of Gyumri in northern Armenia. Ground customs points operate on borders with Georgia and Iran. -0--
