YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The anticrisis programs being implemented by Armenian government and the latest legislative initiatives are bold, revolutionary and optimistic, the chairman of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia Arsen Ghazarian stated during a talk with reporters on February 24. In his words, if these programs continue at the same rate and if businessmen improve their management, Armenia will have a stronger economy after getting out of the crisis. As regards the 15% customs duty established for some imported goods, A. Ghazarian said that it will not be used with respect to all finished commodities: the decision concerns such imported commodities, the production of which can be organized in Armenia in order to meet the demand of the domestic market. A. Ghazarian pointed out that the decision was made for domestic producers' benefit. "However, they should understand that a 15% duty is not a salvation, it is just an opportunity to make progress, and local producers should pay more attention to quality, cost price, and the culture of services," he noted. In his opinion, there is potential for efficient organization of production in such sectors as food processing, mechanical engineering, plastic production and several other branches whose products may be competitive with imported goods. A. Ghazarian said that new legislative amendments are being developed, particularly for the high-tech sector. According to him, the sector's companies are likely to be exempt from paying VAT at the border when importing equipment.

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