A Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan. Before proceeding to the agenda, the Prime Minister issued a number of instructions. Stressing the need for improving the provision of environmental expertise, the Prime Minister stated in part, “We need to reconsider the procedures applicable to the classification of activities, funding sources and timing in the environmental impact assessment and expertise regulations. We must ensure that environmental expertise is carried out in a predictable manner and in reasonable timeframes, in line with best international standards.”
To this end, the Head of Government instructed the Minister of Nature Protection to develop and submit to the Government Staff proposals on institutional, personnel and structural improvement in the field of Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Expertise within a month’s time and discuss the matter with other stakeholders, if necessary.
Karen Karapetyan’s second recommendation had to do with the levy of licensing fees in the sphere of public catering. “The Tax Code as adopted in 2016 has set new standards for all organizations engaged in public catering. In particular, instead of 600 square meters, 100m2 service area is set as the threshold for the application of licensing fees in the sphere of public catering. The potential risks for business entities that might arise from this arrangement were raised during a regular meeting held with SME Support Council representatives,” the Prime Minister noted.
Taking into consideration the Government’s SME development policy, Karen Karapetyan gave a month’s time to the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Economic Development and Investments and the Chairman of State Revenue Committee to jointly discuss the possibility of reconsidering the threshold set for maximum service area and submit a recommendation to the Government Staff.
The Government Program provides for drastic changes to the approaches and methodologies used in assessing households’ vulnerability based on the principle of employment of each active and able-bodied member of the family and the State-administered social assistance programs, especially for inactive groups (children, single elderly, large families and other groups). To this end, the Executive amended one of its previous decisions.
The Government endorsed the action plan for improvement of Armenia’s position in the Global Competitiveness Index in 2017-2018. The Action Plan stipulates 26 targeted actions to ensure sustained improvement in Armenia’s Global Competitiveness Index standing.
The Government adopted a decision on the purchase of agricultural land in Proshyan community of Kotayk Marz on behalf of the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of reselling the property to P&O CJSC. The Company plans to build a factory for the production of antiseptic and sanitary-hygienic materials and equipment in Proshyan community of Kotayk Marz. The total amount of investment is about USD 3 million, as a result of which about 100-120 jobs will be created for Proshyan and Kasakh communities within 3 years.
The Government approved a timetable for the creation of unified automated electronic information and settlement system of ticket and concert tickets, museums, sports organizations and entertainment centers operating under the jurisdiction of State and local self-government authorities of the Republic of Armenia. As a result, equal conditions will be created for all businesses by providing identical conditions in case of becoming a ticket sales agent.
In accordance with another decision, Gabriel Gyozalyan was relieved of the post of Governor of Aragatsotn Marz. By another decision, Ashot Simonyan was appointed Governor of Aragatsotn Marz. The Prime Minister congratulated the newly appointed Governor and wished him every success.
