In studying the 2011 program of action of the Armenian State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition, one can see high market concentration, particularly 100% concentration in the sugar market. However, the Armenian Constitution and laws prohibit monopolies, Artsvik Minasyan, a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaksutyun (ARF-D) faction, stated in Parliament. The aforesaid proves…
Member of the parliamentary faction of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun, economist Ara Nranyan said at a press conference Wednesday that the economic polices implemented by the Government of Armenia in recent months not only do not suppress inflation and crisis, but rather by themselves “create crisis and inflation.” “The government raises the value of money,…
YEREVAN–A 2.6 percent growth in Armenia’s economy in 2010 reported on Wednesday by the National Statistical Service only benefited “oligarchs and the state budget,” while normal people experienced a sharp decline in wages and living standards, an economist and parliament deputy from the opposition Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashanktsutyun said Wednesday. “When we look at real life…
YEREVAN — The Armenian state is dangerously being mismanaged, warned a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun’s parliamentary faction on Friday. Speaking to reporters in Yerevan, Artsvik Minasyan said widespread incompetence plagues nearly all sectors of Armenia’s government and industry, from the irresponsible management of natural resources, to negligent and poorly thought out legislation. The…
YEREVAN—The Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun parliamentary bloc voiced its opposition to a bill approved Tuesday which slightly increased the monthly minimum wage in Armenia, saying the increase was insignificant. The parliament approved a government-backed bill, which increased the wage from 30,000 to 32,000 drams ($90) The ARF urged for a sharper increase, calling on state and…
By ARA KHANJIAN On June 24, 2010, the Republic of Armenia’s National Assembly decided to privatize its social security system by adopting an extreme version of a private pension model. Along with the pension system, the National Assembly also radically changed its income tax regime. The mandatory private pension system is set to take effect…
While Armenian government officials are upbeat about the draft 2011 budget, which they say is “unprecedented in several aspects” ARF-D parliamentarian Artsvik Minasyan said he was unimpressed with the government’s plans. During discussions on Monday, October 18, in the National Assembly about the 2011 budget, Minasyan said that the government lacks a serious program to…
“We can become a country with its own voice in this region and to achieve that we must properly evaluate the issue of our country’s competitiveness. We are committing a big mistake when we compare our state’s competitiveness with the republics of the South Caucasus, something which is leading us to an impasse and preventing…
On October 5, discussions in the Armenian parliament continued regarding the Armenian government’s proposed package of amendments to the Law on Excise Tax, which it had introduced previously on September 5. Currently, importers of vodka, diesel fuel and cigarettes pay only a fixed tax on the physical volume of their imports. By contrast, local tobacco…
ARF-D parliamentary faction member and deputy chair of the parliamentary Standing Committee on Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs Ardzvik Minasyan said this during an interview with the newspaper Hayastani Zrucakic. Hayastani Zrucakic: There is talk once again that the price of natural gas will rise. Could this happen and where will this lead? Ardzvik Minasyan: It…
