President introduced the newly appointed Chairman of the RA Government State Revenue Committee

Today, President Serzh Sargsyan introduced the newly appointed Chairman of the RA Government State Revenue Committee Hovhannes Hovsepian to the leadership of the revenue and customs bodies. The President of Armenia spoke also about his decree on reorganization of the RA Ministry of Finance and tasks facing the State Revenue Committee in its new status. “On the current stage of the economic policy carried out in our country, there has arisen the necessity to implement rapid steps on the priority directions, which is a great responsibility and heavy task for you. All positive results that you, all of us have reached together in the last eight years, reforms that have been implemented through the joint efforts now must get a new momentum. Many of those present here are aware that I know this structure well: I have visited the tax bodies many times, while customs have been receiving relatively more attention. I am well familiar with you work. I believe each and every one of you as well as each and every entrepreneur knows it. It is good but not enough. It’s not enough because we still have much to do. The dual task before the structure remains the same: On one hand to collect state revenues in the amount stipulated by the budget, on the other hand, to provide for the improved business climate, enhanced transparency, guaranteed fairness, and finally create in Armenia conditions favorable for investments and positive public response. It is certainly a compound problem. Nobody says it is easy, otherwise it would have been done long ago, but it is doable. It is doable for two simple reasons: First, veterans present here who can compare the tax service in Armenia of a not so distant past, let’s say 10-15 years ago and today, will unequivocally state that then and now are different like chalk and cheese. And the second simple reason – if it was possible for other countries, why can’t we do it? Of course we can, and we will make great efforts in this area. The quantitative indicator of your work has been and remains the increase of the taxes-GDP ratio. Here too, we have made considerable progress. I am very glad that one can sit down in front of a computer somewhere in Kapan or Gavar and familiarize with the achievements that you have made in the area of taxation. Transparency in that area should increase,” said President Serzh Sargsyan and underscored that along with the achievements there are still many things to do to bring the indicators in Armenia in line with the indicators of the countries with a decent economy and administration. Among the most critical tasks facing the employees of the structure, the President mentioned evenhandedness towards all those engaged in business activities and with this regard the shaping of a proper public perception. Introducing the new Head of the SRC, the President of Armenia noted that he’s not a stranger to the structure and as the Head of the Presidential Oversight Service, is well familiar with the programs implemented in the structure and the entire practice as such. “I have no doubt that with your assistance Mr. Hovsepian will be able to carry out this huge responsibility. You ought to assist and support him; you should give a new thrust to your work. Your work, especially considering the state of our economy against the background of negative signals coming from abroad, compel me to place the State Revenue Committee among the national security bodies. It is no accident that today I have come personally to introduce to you the Head of the Committee. It means that I will be constantly involved in the process of finding solutions for the arising problems. It is obvious that when the head of a structure is replaced, there appears certain anxiety; many have misgivings regarding the future of their work. I want to assure you that the concern in certain instances is justified, but mostly it is unwarranted. I want you to pass it on to your subordinates. There will be no personnel cleansing. All those, who are ready to work under the conditions I mentioned, all those, who are ready to infuse energy to add up to the positive changes in the system can continue with their work with no trouble. However those, who believe that we have reached the point when there is no need for the development, no need for the fight against corruption and protectionism, I would say that these individuals are unable to move the structure forward. We need people full of energy, full of trust towards the structure and the future of the country, full of optimism. I wish you all and of course Mr. Hovsepian success in your difficult work,” said the President of Armenia.

The Head of the SRC Hovhannes Hovsepian thanked President Serzh Sargsyan for the trust and for the support to his activities in previous years. “Undeniably, a sustainable solution to the issue of the collection of state revenues lies in the consistent work aimed at ensuring justice, legality, civil conscience as well as equal opportunities in the business environment and making it more attractive.

Distinguished Mr. President, allow me today as well to publicly assure you and our citizens that we all will put in great efforts, vigor and dedication for the development of the structure,” said the Head of the State Revenue Committee Hovhannes Hovsepian.