The National Security Service made major discoveries in the “Yerevan City” supermarket chain. On the whole, it was not as much of a disclosure, as a publication of well-known facts of law deviations, violations corresponding to the spirit of so-called “old Armenia”. Personally, I have asked economists for several times what would happen if major entrepreneurs “pretend” to be small not to pay the Value Added Tax. There is no need to be a great expert to understand that in the case of the permission of tax authorities, this is inevitable, especially in the field of trade.
Now, the directors of supermarkets (not only “Yerevan City”) have addressed the Prime Minister with a letter, the meaning of which is the following: if we comply with the law, we will go bankrupt, and there will be rise in food price. I understand that the public’s attitude towards the major entrepreneurs is negative, and one can hardly believe their statements. But experts and the government need to make considerations in this regard: perhaps the laws were truly written in a way that it would be difficult not to avoid them, and by avoiding they would have to make “payments”.
The situation is almost the same as it was in case of speedometers and cameras. Drivers say they cannot drive in compliance with the law. I believe in it for 50 percent, because there are many drivers who drive for years without violations. However, the law-breaking drivers were forgiven, although many believe that it should not have been done. Especially the owners of supermarkets should not to be forgiven (and, I am sure, they will not be), the 25 percent of whose words might be true, and whose financial situation cannot be compared to the one of insolvent drivers.
However, the principle should be the same, first to abide to the requirement of the acting (though imperfect) law and then only to think about improving the law. After all,there are supermarkets and small kiosks and stores in the entire civilized world, that are more or less in “peaceful coexistence”. Although from time to time, farmers in developed countries also protest against low prices for their products. Simply, our major entrepreneurs should understand that they will no longer be able to buy food from farmers for the least price, get 100 percent of profit, and not even pay the taxes. The only way to make them understand is the law.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
