ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT PROPOSES RAISING CUSTOMS DUTIES OF IMPORTED CONSUMER GOODS

Noyan Tapan
Feb 13, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. By the amendments proposed to
the RA Customs Code, it is envisaged raising the customs duties of
imported goods not considered as raw material, as well as imported
goods for final consumption up to 15%. The RA minister of economy
Nerses Yeritsian said at the February 12 sitting of the government that
this is allowed by an agreement of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

According to the minister, until now the customs duties of goods
imported into Armenia made either 0% or 10%. "By this proposal,
we will be able to make the import of final consumption goods more
expensive in order to protect domestic producers," N. Yeritsian
said. He announced that this rise will be temporary, while the list
of respective goods will be ready in a few days.

The prime minister Tigran Sargsyan said that customs duties will be
raised for those imported goods, with respect to which "there is a
comptetitive field" in Armenia. In his words, the aim of the government
is to protect domestic producers. He noted that this draft should be
sent to the National Assembly as soon as possible in order to pass the
amendments to the Customs Code by a accelerated procedure this month.