OSCE OFFICE LAUNCHES GUIDE FOR SMES ON SIMPLIFIED TAX POLICIES IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
23.12.2009 15:26

An updated version of a guide on Armenian tax policies for small
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), supported by the OSCE Office in
Yerevan, was launched in Yerevan today.

Part of the OSCE Office’s long-term support to SMEs, the latest
edition of the guide provides an overview of new legislation coming
into effect in January 2010 that aims to provide easier tax and
customs compliance procedures for SMEs.

"We welcome and strongly support the Government’s dedication to unlock
the SME sector’s development potential by simplifying administrative
procedures for paying taxes in Armenia. Among other possible benefits
this could lead to a dramatic improvement of the overall business
environment and a significant reduction of corruption risks," said
Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

The guide was developed by a team of experts from Logicon Development,
a local consultancy, under the guidance of a multi-stakeholder working
group chaired by the SME Development National Centre and supported
by the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

The package of amendments recently approved by the National Assembly
was supported by a study on simplifying tax and custom reporting
requirements commissioned by the OSCE Office in early 2009.

"This publication is the result of our commitment to reinvigorate
reform of Armenia’s business environment, thus ensuring the most
favorable conditions in the region for doing business, which in turn
can help the Armenian economy overcome the effects of the global
crisis," said Armenia’s Economy Minister Nerses Yeritsyan.

The electronic version of the guide has been developed with financial
support from the Deno Gold Mining Company, which has worked with the
OSCE Office to build public-private partnerships aimed at supporting
the socio-economic development of rural areas.