YEREVAN. - Armenian beer makers expressed their concern about the situation with the tax duty after Armenia’s accession in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union, Armenian News - NEWS.am reports.

According to Armenian businessmen, who talked to Armenian News - NEWS.am on the conditions of anonymity, upon Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union, Russian beer makers, who export beer to Armenia, will have an advantage over local distillers in Armenia. The government does not provide clarification on the issue yet.

Note that in 2015, in Russia, the tax on regular beer (1 to 17 proof) is RUR 18 per liter (AMD 150), while the tax on the strong beer (over 17 proof) is RUR 31 (AMD 260). At the same time, in Armenia, the minimal tax will be only AMD 105 per liter. In other words, Russian brewers will be able to pay less tax on the sales in Armenia than they do at home. Given that they will also benefit from the cost of local malt, conditions in the Armenian market for Russian beer makers will be much more favorable that for Armenian producers.