Premier: Armenia has plenty to do to create favorable environment for free competition
21.03.2011,
23:49
There is plenty to do in Armenia to create favourable environment for free competition, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said Monday at a news conference given on the occasion of 10th anniversary of the Armenian State Commission for Protection of E
YEREVAN, March 21. /ARKA/. There is plenty to do in Armenia to create favourable environment for free competition, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said Monday at a news conference given on the occasion of 10th anniversary of the Armenian State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition.
“Major problems hobbling competition should be identified,” he said.
The premier singled out problems related to tax and customs administration among obstacles for creation of proper environment for competition.
He said that all the economic entities should do their businesses on equal conditions.
“This is our top-priority objective,” Sargsyan said.
He pointed out the lack of transparency of companies’ activities as second biggest trouble that hinders governing institutions and the community in their efforts to control them.
“It means we should tighten grip and demand economic entities, especially large companies, to publish their reports,” the premier said. “More than that – it is desirable to have audit-based reports.”
Speaking about corruption risks as a whole, Sargsyan stressed the necessity of integrated steps.
He said that the community should take an uncompromising stance on corruption and shady dealing.
The prime minister said that geopolitical situation and political risks in the region have adverse impacts on economic competition in the country.
“Today the only gateway to the world is Georgia, and this leaves Armenia with little room for diversifying its economy,” he said.
Quite large transaction expenses and this single way for freight importers put small importers and exporters to a disadvantage and suffocate small and mid-scale businesses.
That is why only large organizations transport their goods and services leaving no room for small businessmen.
An international conference dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Armenia’s antitrust commission was launched Monday in Yerevan and will be completed on Wednesday.
Heads of antitrust agencies from 15 European and CIS countries are attending the conference.
Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary General of United Nations Conference for Trading and Development, Azam Usmanov, Head of the Interstate Council on Antitrust Policy, Anatoly Golomolzin, Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Antitrust Service and Michal Petr, Deputy Chairman of Czech Antitrust Office, are in Yerevan for the conference. -0-
“Major problems hobbling competition should be identified,” he said.
The premier singled out problems related to tax and customs administration among obstacles for creation of proper environment for competition.
He said that all the economic entities should do their businesses on equal conditions.
“This is our top-priority objective,” Sargsyan said.
He pointed out the lack of transparency of companies’ activities as second biggest trouble that hinders governing institutions and the community in their efforts to control them.
“It means we should tighten grip and demand economic entities, especially large companies, to publish their reports,” the premier said. “More than that – it is desirable to have audit-based reports.”
Speaking about corruption risks as a whole, Sargsyan stressed the necessity of integrated steps.
He said that the community should take an uncompromising stance on corruption and shady dealing.
The prime minister said that geopolitical situation and political risks in the region have adverse impacts on economic competition in the country.
“Today the only gateway to the world is Georgia, and this leaves Armenia with little room for diversifying its economy,” he said.
Quite large transaction expenses and this single way for freight importers put small importers and exporters to a disadvantage and suffocate small and mid-scale businesses.
That is why only large organizations transport their goods and services leaving no room for small businessmen.
An international conference dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Armenia’s antitrust commission was launched Monday in Yerevan and will be completed on Wednesday.
Heads of antitrust agencies from 15 European and CIS countries are attending the conference.
Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary General of United Nations Conference for Trading and Development, Azam Usmanov, Head of the Interstate Council on Antitrust Policy, Anatoly Golomolzin, Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Antitrust Service and Michal Petr, Deputy Chairman of Czech Antitrust Office, are in Yerevan for the conference. -0-
