Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan received today the representatives of Gyumri-based business entities. The Head of Government listened to their problems and proposals for improving the business environment. The representatives of economic entities submitted to the Prime Minister their projects in the field of tourism, agriculture, industrial engineering, as well as the problems related to attracting funding, dealing with transportations, provision of tax incentives, etc.
Stressing that the Government will be paying great attention to Gyumri, the Premier noted that smart ideas of urban development had to be formulated. “There are many partners who want to make investments in Armenia. But we must give them the right idea. What I am asking you is to find healthy and marketable ideas for Gyumri. Large businesses will hardly come to Gyumri to conduct monitoring and probe into the market demand,” Karen Karapetyan said, adding that the Government will immediately endorse any program capable of changing spirit, environment and providing jobs in Gyumri.
Referring to the proposals voiced by the President of the Union of Entrepreneurs of Gyumri to provide lending facilities in order to enhance the business environment, the Prime Minister noted as follows: “I am unaware of any business reluctant to get cheap money. Should it turn out that the interest rate affects the profitability of a business program with great multiplier effect for Gyumri and the country as a whole, we will find a way to subsidize. Nevertheless, I believe that many business programs will not be affected by the interest rate.”
The Premier suggested finalizing the business projects for further discussion, noting that the government is prepared to provide consulting services using the potential of the Central Bank, the Ministry of Economic Development and Investment, etc.
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In response to the question of providing tax benefits to Gyumri-based businesses, the Premier emphasized that regardless of the place of business, they are prepared to discuss any reasonable proposal and, depending on its logic and the expected results, the Government can postpone the date of VAT payments for industry-oriented imported goods.
“The State should create the best possible conditions, and the Government must promote business activities on a temporary basis, because we cannot keep supporting bad businesses,” Karen Karapetyan said.
Assuring of his readiness to discuss any reasonable proposal or program for the development of Gyumri through different platforms, the Premier stressed that meetings like this will be held on a regular basis.