The Armenian public has lately been discussing the advisability of raising customs duties to protect local producers.

Armenian News-NEWS.am reminds readers that customs duty on imported goods is 10% in Armenia, while the World Trade Organization (WTO) allows its members to set a duty of up to 15%.

Gagik Makaryan, Executive Director of the Union of Manufacturers (Employers) and Businessmen, said that the Doha Agreement grants Armenia the right to raise the customs duty up to 15%, with the 5% to be directed to the economic sectors paying the customs duties in question. "The increase in the customs duties should not be fiscal. On the other hand, we lack a strategy of promoting economic sectors and are making our first steps in developing our industrial policy," Makaryan said.

Many Armenian businessmen express their support to the decision to raise the customs duty. Parliament member Areg Ghukasyan, the former director of the Avan salt refinery, said that "there is nothing to fear" if the WTO allows countries to raise customs duties.

The Armenian Government objects to the increase in customs duties. It argues that resultant inflation may cause Armenia to break its commitments to the WTO.