“I do not say the Customs Code is perfect an does not need amending,” Armenian Minister of Finance Vache Gabrielyan told journalists Feb. 28. However, he refused to discuss any “problems of efficiency of the customs policy.”

The Minister held a press conference for the purpose of informing journalists of the new customs clearance procedure for cars from Georgia, particularly soft loans.

As to why the import of private cars is taxed just as commercial import, Minister Gabrielyan said the Parliament may propose relevant amendments and settle the issue.

As regards the customs agencies whereby some individuals could endlessly extend the term of temporary import for their cars, Gabrielyan said that some people “in a strange manner” change the car owner`s name, registering the cars as owned by Georgian citizens.

Armenian News-NEWS.am reminds readers that at its Feb. 24 sitting the Armenian Government decided to simplify car import for some sections of populations.

The cause of the problem was cars registered in Georgia. The population in Lori and Shirak was discontent with the Government`s decision banning temporary import.