Republican Party of Armenia

 A Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.

Considering the fact that the amendments to the law on licensing fees as adopted by the National Assembly on December 7, 2011 and effective as of April 1, 2012 did not specify first-payment deadlines, the government stated that the fees due for the activities mentioned in paragraph 1 of Annex 7 (for the second quarter of 2012) may be settled for a three-month period within the terms established for the first payment through June 1, 2012.

The decision streamlines the approaches set out in the law on licensing fees in relation to the rates of taxation and the frequency of payments. Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan noted that the issue had been raised by Small and Medium-Size Enterprise Development Council members at their latest meeting. “As a matter of fact, this is another tax relief provided to small and medium-size businesses,” the head of government emphasized.

The Cabinet approved the outcome of the tender announced under a loan agreement signed between the Government and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, referred to as “Innovative program for e-society and enhanced competitiveness” concerning the rehabilitation of Gyumri Technological Center to a total cost of AMD 1,670,913.936mn recognizing the joint venture formed by Baghramyanshin OJSC and Akhuryan koopshin LLC as the winners of the competition. Work is underway on the techno-park project which will cover an area of about 6500 square meters.

In this regard, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan reminded that the IT sector has posted sustained 30% growth in recent years. “5 world-famous IT companies have declared Armenia to be their regional center, which means that this area will boast higher growth rates over the next 10 years. This minor project is vivid example of public-private sector partnership. What matters most is that it will be based in Gyumri providing new jobs, as well as increasing the existing research capacity. This will be obvious in the coming years,” the Premier noticed.

The meeting decided to allocate AMD 500mn from the proceeds of the 2009 Russian loan to Shirak marz administration for construction of the road section linking Mush-2 residential district to Boulevard Street.

The Cabinet approved the outcome of the open international tender announced in the framework of a loan agreement signed between the Government and the Asian Development Bank under the North-South Road Corridor project to a total cost of USD 250mn, recognizing Corsan Corviam Construction S.A. Spanish company as the winner of the competition.

”The launch of USD 250 million worth of activities is being announced. The winner of the international competition is an experienced construction company with highest international reputation. Either the Asian Development Bank has backed the proposal. It is extremely important that we begin this large-scale construction works, because we are completing USD 250 million worth of rehabilitation work in the disaster zone,” the Prime Minister stated.

The Armenia representation of the Federal Agency of Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs has co-financed the publication of the catalog dedicated to the first Russian-Armenian interregional conference to the amount of USD 12,500, with the other half to be financed by Rossotrudnichestvo agency.

AMD 12.6mn was allocated to Classical Music Support NGO for hosting a gala concert dedicated to Victory and Peace day (May 9) and Republic Day (May 28).