KOCHARIAN PRAISES TAX AND CUSTOMS FEES COLLECTORS, BUT URGES HARDER JOB

ARMENPRESS
Apr 23 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS: President Robert Kocharian summoned
today key government ministers in charge of revenues collection for
a meeting which was attended also by prime minister Serzh Sarkisian.

Kocharian’s press office quoted the president as saying that the
first quarter demonstrated that the economic growth rate was higher
than projected.

Kocharian described it as ‘a very positive trend’ that has been going
on for seven consecutive years.

‘We are having parliamentary elections this year and I see a double
positive trend that businesses and economy have no concerns connected
with elections and have confidence that our economic development
policy will not undergo changes. Now we have to be able to make right
decisions and set clear and correct tasks for taxation and customs
services," he was quoted as saying.

Kocharian praised his government ministers for a good job, but added
the economic growth rate provides a bigger opportunity for increasing
revenue collection rate, which in turn is key to addressing a wider
spectrum of social issues.

According to Armenia’s national statistical service, GDP growth in
the first quarter amounted to 11 percent, up from projected 9 percent.

Kocharian urged the ministers to work harder and employ the unused
"serious reserves," to reveal shadow businesses and bring them to
the net. The president said the crackdown on shadow businesses may be
effective only if it proceeds justly and sets equal conditions for all.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress