This is your 9-minute Tuesday briefing in 2336 words.
##income tax is lowered in Armenia (with an asterisk)
In 2019 Armenia adopted a law to switch from progressive to flat tax. The flat tax rate was set to decrease by 1% every year, to 20% by 2023.
On January 1, the income tax rate dropped from 22% to 21%.
The rate of Social Security Payments increased by 1%, to 4.5%. Social Security Payments are taxed from workers born after 1974. Those born before 1974 can join the system. It's meant to guarantee retirement pensions.
The Social Security Payment rate is actually 10%, but the government has been subsidizing most of it:
2020: worker 2.5%, govt 7.5%
2021: worker 3.5%, govt 6.5%
2022: worker 4.5%, govt 5.5%
The aforementioned is for workers earning under $1,000/mo. The rate is different for high earners.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072213.html https://www.petekamutner.am/Content.aspx?itn=tsTISocialSecurityPayment https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1072213.html
##IRS chief: The coming years will be crucial in terms of having a new quality customs service
Badasyan: We mark the 30th anniversary of the customs service. The customs infrastructure continues to undergo reforms to simplify and digitize, to make it easier for businesses and reduce corruption.
Especially in recent years, systemic reforms have been implemented with the cooperation of international partners. In the coming years, we will have higher standards. There will be a new system to hire customs officers. //
Pashinyan: Armenia could gain a much greater transit potential if the regional communications are unblocked. The reforms in Customs Service are very important for Armenia to be an attractive transit state. The quality of Customs Services is just as important as physical roads.
Some of the recent reforms include modernizations in Bagratashen, Gogavan, and Bavra checkpoints.
The Northern Foreign Economic Activity Service Center opened in Gyumri. [The $10M construction started in 2019]. It uses modern infrastructure and work style to handle customs clearance of vehicles.
The modernization of the Meghri checkpoint is next. //
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072199.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072227.html
##anti-corruption: authorities press bribery charges against several IRS agents and business owners
NSS & ACC report: Several IRS agents were caught taking Φ1.7M in bribes from businesses.
Gagik Hakoby
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This is your 11-minute Monday briefing in 2687 words.
##in case you missed the Sunday report
General Babayan discusses giving a mandate to Russia, unblocking of communication routes, international trade, second gas pipeline. Election news, etc.
https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/r9wwpe/news_dec52021_gen_samvel_babayan_about_ongoing/
##Parliamentary committee rejects Kocharyan-ARF border demarcation resolution
The opposition drafted a resolution calling for the government to refrain from any negotiations with Azerbaijan that could be against Armenia's and Artsakh's best interest.
The ruling party said that the full text of the resolution was written for the internal audience and had the main purpose of attacking the government, rather than addressing the country's issues. They voted down the resolution, saying it would hinder the negotiations process and cause security problems.
The ruling party invited the opposition to discuss the hot topics behind closed doors.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069988.html
##CSTO bloc adopts a joint statement on the fight against terrorism
CSTO statement: we are deeply concerned about the terror attacks in the CSTO space and outside, and the growing use of live broadcasts and the internet for terrorism propaganda.
We reaffirm our commitment to keeping unity in the international fight against terrorism, by recognizing the UNβs central and coordinating role on the matter.
We reiterate our commitment to the full implementation of the UN Global Anti-Terrorism Strategy, respecting human rights, fundamental freedoms and rule of law. //
They spoke about developing information literacy among the youth to prevent radicalization.
https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069996.html
##anti-corruption update: prosecutors ask the court to confiscate properties belonging to Serj-era police chief Vladimir Gasparyan
Gasparyan's property assets were frozen in June as part of an investigation over alleged illegal enrichment. The law was recently amended to make it easier for authorities to recover stolen assets from officials.
Gasparyan was invited in June to present his position and documents. The court, at the time, decided to place a temporary arrest on the assets.
Prosecutors decided to proceed with the case. They asked the judge to confiscate the properties. The list of properties is not disclosed yet, but it could be related to Gasparyan's "mansion" in Sevan.
https://arme
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