The Armenian National Assembly approved in the first reading amendments to the RA Law on Excise Tax. The amendments will lead to AMD 10 and AMD 15 increase in the prime cost of 1 pack of local and imported cigarettes respectively. Besides, the difference in cost of excise for local and imported alcoholic beverages will be cut from AMD 220 to 120.
During the bill discussion, Vice Speaker of the Armenian parliament Vahan Hovhannisyan rebuked Armenian diplomats for the fact that they do not explain to their international partners the problems faced by Armenia with respect to the situation of “unfinished war”. According to him, if the situation is appropriately presented, the international structures will stop demanding equal excise taxes for both local producers and importers. “In my opinion, they will understand the problem and will assist us,” he said.
“I believe that any government should assist its local producer, while the increase in the taxes is explained by fulfillment of international obligations shouldered by the Armenian government,” said Speaker of the RA National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan.
He added that the tax increase is a heavy burden for local producers, but the government has developed tools to assist them, through subsidization of relevant fields.
