Directions of National Competitiveness Foundation’s 2011 Activity
Discussed at Government
YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS: The 19th Board of Trustees session of
the National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia was held today at
the RA Government. Tigran Sargsyan – the RA prime minister, Board of
Trustees president – chaired the session. An official from the
information and PR department of the RA Government told Armenpress
that after the discussion and approval of the previous session
protocols, the participants were presented the new Board of Trustees
member – Raul de Lucenberger, head of the EU delegation to the RA.
In his opening speech, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan particularly
touched upon the main indices of the RA economy, noting that the
January economic activity index increased by 7.7 %, and it `is quite
encouraging’. “We have a 5.7% increase in industry, there was a small
increase in construction, nonetheless it is important that, as
compared to last year, there is no decline. The trade circulation is
on the same level, we have some small increase.
We have a significant increase of 24.3% in services sector and it is
mainly connected with the investment of compulsory insurance system in
the Republic of Armenia. The trade circulation can be characterized
with the fact that we have a 2.3% increase against last year,
moreover, it is important that the export goes on growing quite fast.
Against last year, it increased by 21 %, while import decreased by
about 2 %.The energy production increased by 20 % and the average
monthly salary increased by 4.5 %.
The average monthly salary makes 105 thousand AMD in the Republic of
Armenia: in the state sector it makes 82 thousand AMD, and in the
private sector – 131 thousand AMD,’ Tigran Sargsyan said. The prime
minister also touched upon the trends in other economic spheres.
“Mining industry still goes on recording high growth rates and it is
connected with not only the rise in world prices, but also the fact
that that some investments were made 2009-2010 in the mining industry:
new enterprises opened, and investments in this sphere still go on. We
registered an 8.9 % increase in food industry: drink – 11.6%,
pharmaceutical sector – 34.8 %.
This is also connected with the fact that new capacities are being
delivered for operation, and we have a 25% increase in metallurgy,’
Tigran Sargsyan said. As to primary issues of 2011, he emphasized the
necessity of alleviation of high inflation and agricultural
development. `In 2011 we have to fix two significant problems – high
inflation, which we will try to reduce twice, up to 6 %, until the end
of the year, and the agricultural sector, which is of utmost
importance.
We are implementing new large-scale projects in agriculture and expect
at least a 10 % growth, which will promote the inflation alleviation
significantly, as this 12 % inflation was mainly connected with the
fact that a 13.5 % decline was recorded 2010 in agriculture. Several
agricultural projects, expected to promote the growth, are being
invested. First of all, those projects are IFAD, FREDA and we
implement them in the assistance with international organizations.
In association with World Bank we start a new program, aimed at
promoting the cooperation movement in 55 communities through new
management schemes, revealing pastures, organization of refrigerator
economies, subsidizing agricultural equipments. We will try to
undertake additional state-run measures in agriculture in order to
ensure at least a 10% growth in 2010,’ Prime Minister Sargsyan said.
He also touched upon the results of the reforms in the direction of
tax and customs red tape facilitation. `Tax and customs red tape is
the most fundamental problem of ours.
If we could significantly improve the tax and customs red tape in
2011, Doing Business would be improved as well. The new electronic
reporting system has entered into force starting from January, 2011,
and large-sized business makes use of electronic reporting, which
reduces the physical contact with tax employees. On the other hand,
the taxpayers, who use electronic reports, may no longer keep
calculation record books. It reduces the physical contact and the
possibility of on-site inspection for tax and customs officers, which,
of course, creates a new environment,’ the prime minister said.
After exchanging thoughts on world economic development trends, the
board members discussed the financial report of the foundation’s 2010
activity, as well as the strategy, budget and action plan of the 2011
activity. In the context of the foundation’s current projects, the
participants discussed the prospects of implementation of projects in
the spheres of tourism and nuclear medicine. The foundation’s Higher
Education Program concept was discussed and clarified. The Victory
Park reconstruction project was presented to the Board of Trustees
members.
From: A. Papazian