KOCHARIAN: PATRONAGE AND CLAN SYSTEM OUR MAJOR RIVALS

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian President Robert Kocharian held a working meeting with State Tax Service (STS) senior staff July 29. He said he was satisfied with the tax proceeds into the state budget within the former half-year of 2005 making 24%. The President on the whole appreciated the STS work. He noted that the economic growth rate in Armenia made 10% within the initial six months. As compared with the tax proceeds growth of 24%, a difference of 14% is seen, he mentioned, adding this means the mentioned sum was withdrawn from the shadow economy. At that in Kocharian's words, the researches held by the Control Chamber of the President have shown the potential is much higher. In the Armenian President's words, transport and mine researches have shown that the shadow economy is very large. Kocharian noted 40% growth in construction, while tax proceeds do not exceed 12-13%. He also stated there is no sector in the Armenian economy today that does not have a shadow part. "Here I see a field, where patronage and clan system are our main rivals," the President said. It should be reminded that according to the data provided by the Ministry of Finance of Armenia, state budget revenue made some 160.3 billion drams in former half-year of 2005. Tax proceeds account for most of the state budget income within January-July 2005, i.e. 82.7%. Within the period of report the tax proceeds filled up the state budget of Armenia with 132.6 billion drams, thus implementing the half-year program 101.7%, reported IA Regnum.