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05, 2011
President Serzh Sargsyan participated at the 4th conference of the RA Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Today, President Serzh Sargsyan participated at the 4th conference of the RA Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC). At the conference presented were the activities of the CIC for the last five years, summarized were the results of the conducted works and identified were future activities for 2011-2015. Participants of the conference also elected the governing body – the CIC Chairman and members of the Board.
Saluting the participants of the 4th CIC conference, President Serzh Sargsyan noted that the conference was the best occasion to recap and assess accomplished works and based on that assessment and conclusions to review and add new dimensions to the activities of the Chamber. “I am confident that you’re well aware of all those initiatives that the Government has initiated in recent months. Changes in the tax and customs areas, gradual transition of these structures to a largely new work style, addressing the issue of overpayments, deferment of the value added tax on imported equipment, expressed readiness to exempt the innovative production enterprises from the profit tax, launch of the process of the establishment of free economic zones, and some other initiatives testify that the Government has invigorated its policies aimed at the drastic improvement of the business environment and enhancement of entrepreneurship. All this, as well as forthcoming initiatives create a base which will enable us all to change the business climate in our country, to breath in new spirit, new vigor and most importantly, confidence for reaching for greater goals,” said President Sargsyan.
Welcoming remarks by President Serzh Sargsyan at the Fourth Conference of the RA Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Distinguished Entrepreneurs,
I salute the participants of the 4th CIC conference. The conference presents an excellent opportunity to recap and assess accomplished works and based on that assessment and conclusions to review and add new dimensions to the activities of the Chamber. Our ever changing reality compels all us to introduce changes in our work style too, which is unavoidable, particularly, for the structures which unite entrepreneurs, since business may not lag behind the extremely rapid pace of the global economy. Just some years ago, structures which providing for the self-organization of the businesses, in this case the Chamber of Industry Commerce, could reach observable results thanks to the actions aimed at the assistance, organization and protection of the interests of the businesses, however, today it’s not enough. Changeability of economic trends and external signals, as well as a drastic rise of competition on the international markets, compel the CIC – as a businesses uniting structure – through the experience of its members and received external signals to provide advisory opinion and actively participate in the development and implementation of the coherent policies, congruous to the new economic milieu. Numerous problems we face, do not allow us to relax - it would be equivalent to trailing behind the events. Today, we all – representatives of state and private sectors must be at least one step ahead of the events, attempting to feel the spirit of the times and new developments.
We, certainly, have many problems which need to be solved. We all realize it. However, the abundance of the problems must not discourage us, on the contrary – it must amplify our determination and fortitude to solve them and develop faster. I am confident that despite the negative external economic signals, closed borders, geopolitical, social and structural problems, pace of development of our economy provides a real chance to become one of the world’s most rapidly developing state. Double-digit economic growth registered last decade is the best proof that between the regularly occurring global crises, a country, which implements a purposeful economic policy, which is resolutely oriented toward economic growth and has a consistent leadership, can reach unprecedented results. We have emerged from the latest economic downturn with the minimal social consequences. Today, we face new challenges, which we have to overcome, and have a clear-cut task of recovering the losses and accelerating our development pace. Here, at this point we must join our efforts. I am confident that you’re well aware of all the initiatives that the Government has initiated in recent months. Changes in the tax and customs areas, gradual transition of these structures to a largely new work style, addressing the issue of overpayments, deferment of the value added tax on imported equipment, expressed readiness to exempt the innovative production enterprises from the profit tax, launch of the process of the establishment of free economic zones, and some other initiatives testify that the Government has invigorated its policies aimed at the drastic improvement of the business environment and enhancement of entrepreneurship. All this, as well as forthcoming initiatives create a base which will enable us all to change the business climate in our country, to breath in new spirit, new vigor and most importantly, confidence for reaching for greater goals.
Today, anyone, who has serious business goals, cannot limit himself with sheer trading activities aimed at importing goods. Obviously, such kind of work is much easier or has just become habitual. However, today the tasks and goals before you should be much more serious. Encouragement of local production should be our primary goal. Work like that, is, of course, much more challenging, but we are hard-working people. It will undoubtedly entail new resources and complicated computations. However, all expert assessments of our economy show that there are unexploited opportunities and required specialists in our country.
We are a nation of hard-working, entrepreneurial and independent individuals. Failure to create most favorable conditions for the utilization of the national qualities would be an unpardonable crime against our future generations. Experience proved that talents of the Armenians have been put to use in different countries of the world; and Armenia must become the venue where all talents of our nation will be explored most thoroughly. To turn this objective into reality, it is necessary to strengthen regulations which govern entrepreneurship in our country. It’s not about legal regulation exclusively (which is actually not bad) but rather about establishment of new working traditions which are shaped by the sense of responsibility. It is unacceptable when a businessman goes a long way to invent mechanisms to avoid taxes or abuses his privileged position in the market just to get super profits. Such stance looks particularly odd in the case of major producers which due to their dimensions and turnover are in a privileged position anyway. Unpaid taxes are stolen from our health care and education systems and, consequently, endanger the future of our people. And ultimately it should be understood that in a long run, it endangers the future of these very businesses too. Thus, I trust that in our fight against such occurrences our businesses should stand at our governement’s side.
These are issues which need constant discussions, shared understanding, mutual confidence building and shaping of common positions. With this regard, a prominent role could be played by the structures which unite entrepreneurs, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, all of you.
Esteemed Entrepreneurs,
I once again salute you, wish you all high spirits and bold objectives, and I wish efficient work and success to the conference.
Saluting the participants of the 4th CIC conference, President Serzh Sargsyan noted that the conference was the best occasion to recap and assess accomplished works and based on that assessment and conclusions to review and add new dimensions to the activities of the Chamber. “I am confident that you’re well aware of all those initiatives that the Government has initiated in recent months. Changes in the tax and customs areas, gradual transition of these structures to a largely new work style, addressing the issue of overpayments, deferment of the value added tax on imported equipment, expressed readiness to exempt the innovative production enterprises from the profit tax, launch of the process of the establishment of free economic zones, and some other initiatives testify that the Government has invigorated its policies aimed at the drastic improvement of the business environment and enhancement of entrepreneurship. All this, as well as forthcoming initiatives create a base which will enable us all to change the business climate in our country, to breath in new spirit, new vigor and most importantly, confidence for reaching for greater goals,” said President Sargsyan.
Welcoming remarks by President Serzh Sargsyan at the Fourth Conference of the RA Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Distinguished Entrepreneurs,
I salute the participants of the 4th CIC conference. The conference presents an excellent opportunity to recap and assess accomplished works and based on that assessment and conclusions to review and add new dimensions to the activities of the Chamber. Our ever changing reality compels all us to introduce changes in our work style too, which is unavoidable, particularly, for the structures which unite entrepreneurs, since business may not lag behind the extremely rapid pace of the global economy. Just some years ago, structures which providing for the self-organization of the businesses, in this case the Chamber of Industry Commerce, could reach observable results thanks to the actions aimed at the assistance, organization and protection of the interests of the businesses, however, today it’s not enough. Changeability of economic trends and external signals, as well as a drastic rise of competition on the international markets, compel the CIC – as a businesses uniting structure – through the experience of its members and received external signals to provide advisory opinion and actively participate in the development and implementation of the coherent policies, congruous to the new economic milieu. Numerous problems we face, do not allow us to relax - it would be equivalent to trailing behind the events. Today, we all – representatives of state and private sectors must be at least one step ahead of the events, attempting to feel the spirit of the times and new developments.
We, certainly, have many problems which need to be solved. We all realize it. However, the abundance of the problems must not discourage us, on the contrary – it must amplify our determination and fortitude to solve them and develop faster. I am confident that despite the negative external economic signals, closed borders, geopolitical, social and structural problems, pace of development of our economy provides a real chance to become one of the world’s most rapidly developing state. Double-digit economic growth registered last decade is the best proof that between the regularly occurring global crises, a country, which implements a purposeful economic policy, which is resolutely oriented toward economic growth and has a consistent leadership, can reach unprecedented results. We have emerged from the latest economic downturn with the minimal social consequences. Today, we face new challenges, which we have to overcome, and have a clear-cut task of recovering the losses and accelerating our development pace. Here, at this point we must join our efforts. I am confident that you’re well aware of all the initiatives that the Government has initiated in recent months. Changes in the tax and customs areas, gradual transition of these structures to a largely new work style, addressing the issue of overpayments, deferment of the value added tax on imported equipment, expressed readiness to exempt the innovative production enterprises from the profit tax, launch of the process of the establishment of free economic zones, and some other initiatives testify that the Government has invigorated its policies aimed at the drastic improvement of the business environment and enhancement of entrepreneurship. All this, as well as forthcoming initiatives create a base which will enable us all to change the business climate in our country, to breath in new spirit, new vigor and most importantly, confidence for reaching for greater goals.
Today, anyone, who has serious business goals, cannot limit himself with sheer trading activities aimed at importing goods. Obviously, such kind of work is much easier or has just become habitual. However, today the tasks and goals before you should be much more serious. Encouragement of local production should be our primary goal. Work like that, is, of course, much more challenging, but we are hard-working people. It will undoubtedly entail new resources and complicated computations. However, all expert assessments of our economy show that there are unexploited opportunities and required specialists in our country.
We are a nation of hard-working, entrepreneurial and independent individuals. Failure to create most favorable conditions for the utilization of the national qualities would be an unpardonable crime against our future generations. Experience proved that talents of the Armenians have been put to use in different countries of the world; and Armenia must become the venue where all talents of our nation will be explored most thoroughly. To turn this objective into reality, it is necessary to strengthen regulations which govern entrepreneurship in our country. It’s not about legal regulation exclusively (which is actually not bad) but rather about establishment of new working traditions which are shaped by the sense of responsibility. It is unacceptable when a businessman goes a long way to invent mechanisms to avoid taxes or abuses his privileged position in the market just to get super profits. Such stance looks particularly odd in the case of major producers which due to their dimensions and turnover are in a privileged position anyway. Unpaid taxes are stolen from our health care and education systems and, consequently, endanger the future of our people. And ultimately it should be understood that in a long run, it endangers the future of these very businesses too. Thus, I trust that in our fight against such occurrences our businesses should stand at our governement’s side.
These are issues which need constant discussions, shared understanding, mutual confidence building and shaping of common positions. With this regard, a prominent role could be played by the structures which unite entrepreneurs, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, all of you.
Esteemed Entrepreneurs,
I once again salute you, wish you all high spirits and bold objectives, and I wish efficient work and success to the conference.