YEREVAN. - The Armenian Commission for Protection of Economic Competition instituted proceedings against four freighting companies.

Freighting companies Four Friends, Prof Improtex, Nasis and SOGO are suspected of violating national laws. According to media reports, as well as shuttle traders at the Armenian Government, the four companies arbitrarily raised the freight charges for Turkish and Chinese products.

The Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter in Turkey was the first to report that several hundred Armenian shuttle traders staged a protest at the Emniyet coach station in Istanbul. In Armenia shuttle traders demanded that the Government reduce the customs clearance charges.

The Armenian State Revenue Committee explained that the freighting companies decided to raise their charges because numerous economic entities import goods by means of freight companies to conceal their real incomes. The Committee promised stricter tax administration for the companies.