Author: Andres-Papazian

Tax Representatives to Start Works with 24 Tax-Payers July 19

YEREVAN, JULY 16, ARMENPRESS: With the `N785-N’ decision, RA
Government approved June 24 the 2010 list of the 24 tax-payer
organizations, where representatives of the State Revenue Committee
are to be appointed.

On the decision of the Head of RA Government-affiliated State Revenue
Committee, corresponding assignments were given to the heads of the
tax inspectorates and units of the committee for the direct
organization and coordination of the works of the tax-representatives.

`The primary condition we laid down when starting the process was that
the tax representatives must not hinder the works and business
procedure of the tax-payers. Our final goal is the fixation of the
whole volume of document-circulation and making clear whether it is
the representatives of big business, who do not provide documents, or
sometimes the representatives of small business do not want to take
it,’ said Rubik Kocharyan, deputy head of RA Government-affiliated
State Revenue Committee.

He added that regular meetings are intended to be organized at the
committee for informing the 24 tax-payers about the process, revealing
and regulating the possible issues. The first such meeting has been
held these days. The representatives of the committee detailed on the
specifications of the work with tax representatives and assured the
tax-payers that the doors of the committee will always be open for
them. The tax representatives will report the results of the
observations to the head of the State Revenue Committee regularly.

`The representatives of the tax body will be rotated minimum every
three months. They will be appointed on the decree of the head of the
tax body. The total timeframe of the checks at tax-payers cannot
exceed 183 calendar days for 1 calendar year or 250 working days for 2
calendar years,’ Rubik Kocharyan said.

He added that the tax-representatives will start their activities July 19.

From: A. Papazian

Memorandum on Cooperation signed in the sphere of pharmaceutics

YEREVAN, JULY 16, ARMENPRESS: Director of the Republican Union of
Armenian Employers Gagik Makaryan and CEO of the Armenia’s Medicine
Producing and Importing Union Samvel Zakaryan signed today Memorandum
on Cooperation.

S. Zakaryan said that the cooperation circles of the unions are quite
extensive. The parties expressed readiness to promote the
consolidation and development of social partnership, ensuring equal
conditions for companies. The unions are going to conduct trainings,
round tables, seminars, consultations, etc.

G. Makaryan highlighting the cooperation with Armenia’s Medicine
Producing and Importing Union and noted that the sphere has a number
of issues for the solution of which the joint work will be more
effective.

`With joint programs we will try to promote the quantitative growth of
the sphere of pharmaceutics. Armenia imports medicine amounting to 81
million USD but exports medicine amounting to only 5 million USD. We
must pay a special attention to the issue of examination laboratories.
The laboratories functioning in Armenia do not correspond to the
European standards. We must work toward making the conclusions of our
laboratories be accepted in the international market. In case we solve
this issue, we will promote the export,’ Makaryan said.

He also highlighted the staff issue. According to him, there is a need
of high-quality staff. Within the framework of cooperation the unions
are planning to conduct survey of demands in the labor market, promote
the specialized orientation of teenagers and young people.

From: A. Papazian

Fourteen medicine producing companies are operating in Armenia

YEREVAN, JULY 16, ARMENPRESS: Fourteen medicine producing companies
are operating in Armenia and about 300 medicines of local production
have been registered. Still in 2008 only 28 medicines of local
production were registered in Armenia.

CEO of the Armenia’s Medicine Producing and Importing Union Samvel
Zakaryan said today at a news conference followed after signing
Memorandum on Cooperation with the Union of Armenian Employers that
producing medicine in the country is of strategic significance. It is
especially important during wars, natural disasters when medicine
producing company manages to ensure crucially necessary medicine.

Zakaryan said medicine producing companies export more than 50% of
their products and the rest consume in the local market. The medicine
produced in Armenia is being exported to Russia, Uzbekistan, Georgia,
Belarus, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan.

`There are European countries which demand certificate that the
produced medicine corresponds to specially set standards – starting
with the air cleanness to high-level specialists. Armenian medicine is
produced in accordance with those standards, they just do not have
certificates. For acquiring them certain steps are being implemented,’
Zakaryan said.

The union is also carrying out `Get to Know Medicine Producer’ action
as part of which a number of events will be carried out: the goal is
to make the public recognize the local medicine.

From: A. Papazian

Foreign businessmen interested in Armenian travertine

YEREVAN, JULY 16, ARMENPRESS: This year for the first time Armenia
participated in `EXPOStone 2010′ annual international exhibition,
leading one in the natural stone processing sphere in Russia, thanks
to which a number of cooperation proposals have been received. The
exhibition was held June 22-25, in the capital of Russia Moscow.
Armenia’s participation in the exhibition was organized by the
Armenian Development Agency.

An official from the agency told Armenpress that four Armenian
companies participated in the exhibition. A great interest has been
displayed over natural stones: a contract on providing 3 600 sq. m of
travertine has been signed. Initial arrangements have been reached
over the opening of wholesale points in Moscow and other provinces of
Russia. According to the arrangement, a representative of the
construction company will visit Armenia in August. Few suggestions on
cooperation are in the discussion phase.

From: A. Papazian

Serzh Sargsyan: Armenia interested in deepening cooperation with the USA

YEREVAN, JULY 16, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
received today US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste
Wallander.

Presidential press office told Armenpress that the leader of the
country pointed out that Armenia is interested in boosting cooperation
with the USA which stems not only from the interests of our country
but will contribute to the regional security and consolidation of
stability.

Referring to Armenia’s participation in the international peacekeeping
activities, the deputy assistant secretary of defense thanked for
Armenia’s participation in the international peacekeeping mission. The
two parties pointed out that it is not only a great contribution to
the activities of the international community but promotes the
increase of battle-worthiness of the Armenian armed forces.

The interlocutors discussed also regional security issues, including
the current developments in the NK conflict settlement process. Mrs.
Wallender pointed out that the USA says about inadmissibility of usage
of threat of military actions on all the levels and the USA is sure
that the peaceful settlement of the NK conflict has no alternative.

From: A. Papazian

Issues on expansion of bilateral economic cooperation discussed

YEREVAN, JULY 16, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
received today Chinese ambassador to Armenia Tian Chanchun.
Governmental press service told Armenpress that welcoming the diplomat
the prime minister said he is glad for the dynamic development of the
Armenian-Chinese relations. In that pre-context he highlighted
Armenia’s participation in the `Shanghai Expo 2010′ world exhibition
and opening of the Armenian-Chinese rubber producing joint venture
`Shanxi-Nairit’.

The head of the government informed that this year in September during
the Armenian cultural days within the framework of the exhibition he
is going to visit China.

Tigran Sargsyan also expressed gratitude for the technical assistance
provided by the Chinese government. With the June 2 2010
Armenian-Chinese agreement the Armenian government received 20 million
Chinese YUAN assistance and 88 ambulance cars.

Expressing gratitude for the reception ambassador Chanchun conveyed to
the Armenian prime minister the greetings of the Chinese prime
minister and noted that China is interested in deepening relations
with Armenia in different spheres.

Tigran Sargsyan and Tian Chanchun talked about extending bilateral
economic partnership and about prospects of implementation of joint
programs. They particularly discussed details on the regular session
of the Armenian-Chinese inter-governmental commission and
Armenian-Chinese business forum.

The interlocutors also referred to the development and consolidation
of humanitarian ties. In that pre-context the activity of the
Confucius Institute branch in Yerevan State Linguistic University was
highly praised.

From: A. Papazian

Tigran Sargsyan receives head of the International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD) Armenia programs Henning Pedersen

YEREVAN, JULY 16, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
received today head of the International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD) Armenia programs Henning Pedersen. The goal of the
IFAD, as one of the UN specialized agencies, is to promote overcoming
the poverty in rural areas.

Governmental press service told Armenpress that during the meeting
Henning Pedersen presented the IFAD `Creation of Rural Abilities
Program’ and timeframe of the further steps for the approval of the
program. He noted that the program consists of two main elements –
`Assistance to the Fruit and Walnut Production’ and `Rural
Infrastructures’. Within the first element it is intended to promote
the production of fruit and walnut and development of contract
gardening, within the second element works on restoration of public
infrastructures will be implemented.

The mentioned program is intended to be carried out during 2011-2015.
The total cost of the program is 52 million USD. The main funding will
be carried out by IFAD, co-financers will be OFID and Armenian
government. It involves provinces of Shirak, Lori, Tavush, Aragatsotn,
Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik.

The prime minister highlighted the significance of the program in the
development of the agricultural sphere and pointed out the necessity
of involving events on developing organic agriculture.

IFAD has carried out four programs in Armenia – `Restoration of
Irrigation Systems’ in collaboration with the World Bank, `North-West
Regions Agricultural Development Program’, `Rural Services Program’
and `Rural Territories Development Program.’

From: A. Papazian

Serzh Sargsyan receives the chairman of the Board of Directors of the
`Euronews’ TV company

YEREVAN, JULY 16, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
received today the chairman of the Board of Directors of the
`Euronews’ TV company Philip Kayla. Welcoming the guest the president
noted that `Euronews’ is the most viewed European TV channel in
Armenia and is being perceived as the mirror of Europe or European
viewpoints.

The chairman of the Board of Directors of the `Euronews’ TV company
said he is very much impressed with the ancient-long history of
Armenia, its culture and everything which he managed to see during the
days of his visit.

Presidential press office told Armenpress that the interlocutors
expressed conviction that in Armenia `Euronews’ TV channel has a great
role in our country’s Euro-integration and in respect of receiving
information about Europe.

From: A. Papazian

`Luys’ Foundation’s Students Received at RA Government

YEREVAN, JULY 16, ARMENPRESS: RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
received today the students of Luys Foundation at RA Government. The
students are currently in Armenia for partaking in the Luys Develop
Armenia Program (LDAP). Within the framework of the program the
students will visit the cities of Gyumri, Jermuk, as well as Sevan’s
Tsaghkunk and Artsakh’s Vank communities.

They will endeavor to use their knowledge in the direction of
designing development projects and scenarios for Armenia. The
Governmental press service told Armenpress that in his welcoming
speech Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan mentioned that the Luys
Foundation is aimed at supporting talented young people by giving them
the opportunity to continue their education in the leading
universities of the world. He said he is sure the number of the
students, who take advantage of the opportunities of the Luys
Foundation, will increase this year.

`It is too important to us to form a new atmosphere, which is called
the Armenian World, and due to which we will create favorable
conditions for you for self-development and self-realization,’ the
Prime Minister said. He underscored the importance of the role the
Luys Foundation and the Armenian National Competitiveness Foundation
play in the formation of the `Armenian World’. As to the role of
knowledge in the modern world, he said that `in the industrial society
the base of the economic system was the production of goods and
services, and in post-industrial societies the basic process is the
mental activity’.

`Knowledge changes the content of the process of organizing the
society,’ he added. Executive Director of the Luys Foundation
Jacqueline Karaaslanian, Anahit Bakhshyan and Father Mesrop Aramyan,
members of the education board, addressed welcome speeches as well. A
Q&A between the students and the Prime Minister followed.

From: A. Papazian

THE FLOW OF TOURISTS INTO THE NKR IS INCREASING

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

2010-07-16 11:18

The interest of foreign citizens in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic is
increasing. According to the Consular Service of the NKR Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, the total number of foreign citizens, who visited the
Republic in the first half-year of 2010, increased by 45% compared
with the similar period of 2009.

The geography of the tourists keeps expanding. Considerable part of
the tourists make citizens of the USA, France, Iran, Great Britain,
Holland, Switzerland, Canada, Italy, Poland, and the CIS states.
Special interest in Artsakh is displayed by representatives of the
Armenian Diaspora of various states worldwide.

The tourists mainly visit the town of Shushi, the Gandzasar, Amaras,
Dadivank Monasteries, and the ancient town of Tigranakert.

From: A. Papazian