YEREVAN. – Hayots Ashkharh daily spoke with economist Ashot Tavadyan.

“[Question  Deputy Minister of Economy [of Armenia Emil] Tarasyan enumerated several hindering problems such as double taxation, [and] matters related to the rearrangement of the value-added tax [(VAT)]. In parallel, businessmen complain about corruption risks at the customs offices [of Armenia]. These are phenomena that hinder access to the EEU [i.e. the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union] market.   

“[Response Indeed, the tax regime [of Armenia] needs adjustment. See, if the value-added tax is 18 and 10 percent in Russia, [and] 12 [percent] in Kazakhstan, it is 20 [percent] at us; that is, there is a need to reduce [it]. The tax system [of Armenia] needs to be rearranged in a way that we will not have state budget losses. Along with that, the tax system [of the country] should contribute to economic development. 

“Yes, double taxation should be excluded, [and] problems should not be created in documentation. Corruption at [Armenia’s] customs offices can create very serious problems. [But] if we can make serious steps to effectively counter corruption, our economy will become very alluring.”