Government gives equal rights to cigarette importers, local manufacturers May 5, 2011 - 10:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian government has approved a bill on legislative changes to be introduced in the laws on domestic market protection, licensing and state duty. As Economy Minister Tigran Davtyan said, the bill gives equal rights to cigarette importers and local manufacturers. In October 2010, the Armenian parliament passed amendments to the law on excise tax. The amendments envisage a stage-by-stage equalization of rates for both local producers and importers till 2014. The World Trade Organization (WTO) rules prohibit any fiscal or regulatory preferences for domestic products. Excise rates should be equal for local and imported cigarettes. A similar requirement on equal tax rates for imported and locally produced products is contained in the Free Trade Agreements (FTA) signed by Armenia with 13 countries, including Russia and Ukraine. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |