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 | Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. 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. |