YEREVAN, January 8 – Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared on Thursday that the government’s customs privileges for businesses in priority sectors are being applied without bias, directly addressing and denying reports suggesting favoritism towards companies linked to his administration.
Prime Minister Addresses Allegations of Bias
During a press briefing, Pashinyan emphasized the broad application of these benefits, stating, “Thousands of businesspeople have received this benefit, including those connected to the opposition as well as those who are not.” He clarified that this mechanism has been operational since 2016 and functions automatically. “Businesspeople submit their data and apply for the benefit, and if the information provided is accurate, the Government does not have the right to deny it,” the Prime Minister explained.
Transparency in Privilege Distribution
Pashinyan further elaborated on the distribution of these privileges, noting that companies owned by individuals with ties to his administration account for a mere 2-3 percent of all beneficiaries. This statistic was presented to underscore the government’s commitment to impartiality and to counter the narrative of undue influence.
He also challenged the notion of exclusion, asserting that it is highly improbable that any opposition Member of Parliament or political figure does not have at least one friend or relative who has benefited from the government-provided customs privilege mechanism in priority sectors. This statement aimed to highlight the widespread accessibility of the program across various political affiliations.
Background of Customs Privilege Mechanism
The customs privilege mechanism, established in 2016, is designed to support and stimulate growth in specific priority sectors of the Armenian economy. The government’s objective is to foster economic development by reducing the financial burden on businesses operating in these key areas, thereby encouraging investment and job creation.
The Prime Minister’s remarks come amidst ongoing public discourse regarding economic policies and business regulations in Armenia. Ensuring fair competition and transparent governance remains a critical aspect of the government’s agenda, particularly as the nation navigates its economic landscape and seeks to attract foreign investment.
The government continues to monitor the implementation of such programs to ensure their effectiveness and to maintain public trust in the fairness of economic incentives. Future evaluations will likely assess the impact of these privileges on the overall economic health of the priority sectors and the broader Armenian economy.
Source: https://armenpress.am/en/article/1239084/amp
