Mini-markets to open for former street traders in Yerevan
12.04.2011,
23:49
Yerevan mayor Karen Karapetian said today five mini-markets will open soon in the capital city for street traders who had been banned to trade on streets earlier this year.
YEREVAN, April 12, /ARKA/. Yerevan mayor Karen Karapetian said today five mini-markets will open soon in the capital city for street traders who had been banned to trade on streets earlier this year.
Karen Karapetian ordered the ban on street trade shortly after taking office. The ban was enforced immediately by police that cleared sidewalks of people selling a wide range of goods, causing angry protests of street vendors who said they have lost their sole source of income. In return street vendors were offered to shift to markets.
The street trade in Yerevan was banned by a 2004 municipality decision, but previous administration failed to enforce it.
The traders who will violate the ban face a penalty between 10,000-20,000 Drams. The mayor said today 12 such mini-markets will open in Yerevan. He also said about 3000 people lost their source of income but added that mini-markets will offer even more retail trade places. He said traders’ anger is not grounded because the place rent fee is lower than what they had to pay when trading on streets. -0-
Karen Karapetian ordered the ban on street trade shortly after taking office. The ban was enforced immediately by police that cleared sidewalks of people selling a wide range of goods, causing angry protests of street vendors who said they have lost their sole source of income. In return street vendors were offered to shift to markets.
The street trade in Yerevan was banned by a 2004 municipality decision, but previous administration failed to enforce it.
The traders who will violate the ban face a penalty between 10,000-20,000 Drams. The mayor said today 12 such mini-markets will open in Yerevan. He also said about 3000 people lost their source of income but added that mini-markets will offer even more retail trade places. He said traders’ anger is not grounded because the place rent fee is lower than what they had to pay when trading on streets. -0-
