On February 25-28, 2011 the biggest in the region VIII International Economic Forum «BRIDGE 2011», was conducted in Tsakhkadzor ski resort of Armenia.
Memorandum
Concept of the post-crisis development of the Armenian economy, Armenia’s role and place in the global world – these are the main issues that the business world is interested in.
The crisis resulted in totally new conditions for the Armenian and global economies. Some of the problems were frozen which does not imply those problems were addressed. In a long-term project the mentioned problems may both result in new complications and provide new opportunities. The authorities and the business look for compromises which needs permanent dialogue and exchange of views. Such approach allows to efficiently address the issues and to provide quick socio-economic development of the country.
Taking into account the above-mentioned the participants of the Forum, during the group sessions, highlighted and discussed the most important and urgent issues and made a number of proposals. Some of them are introduced herewith:
Recommendations adopted by the round-table “Place and role of the business in realization of the strategy of economic development of Armenia”
Attract representatives of interested companies into joint sectoral working groups participated by RA Ministry of Economy and RA Union of Entrepreneurs (Employers) and Manufacturers in order to ensure participation of all the spheres in the process of consideration of issues
Within the scope of “State – private sector partnership” consider the possible membership to international conventions on transportation of hazardous cargos
Within the scope of “State – private sector partnership” consider the issues of reduction of administration of export procedures
Recommendations adopted by the round table “Ways of Mobilization of Investments in Construction Sphere”
Increase the builders’ responsibility in the urban development through prescriptions of the corresponding laws and adoption of legislative acts, as well as accurately regulate the interrelations among all the parties of the construction
Develop and approve in as short period as possible the complete list of the sublegislative acts and regulations on the sphere of construction, taking into account the new pricing standards
Recommendations adopted by the round table “Education and Business: ways of cooperation”
Assistance in providing practical courses for the students, participation of the employers in the education process by means of lectures, consultations and information
Modernization of material and technical basis at institutes, introduction of newest technologies and methods directed to the improvement of the professional skills and qualification of the personnel
Participation in the curricula and special state educational guidelines development in correspondence with the labor market demands
Recommendations adopted by the round table “Innovation Techniques in the Modern Economy”
Assistance in establishment of venture funds to direct them at investment of funds in the research productions
Allocation of funds for crediting of small and medium enterprises on preferential terms provided they will develop innovation manufacturing
Establishment of open data collection with regular update on marketing researches, new publications on manufacturing technologies and news on achievements of the local enterprises in introduction of innovations
Recommendations adopted by the round table “Covering of credit risks and insurance of financial risks”
Based on professional opinion and proposals from representatives of the spheres to establish a new banking-insurance tools in RA which would help reduce dextrality in information on creditworthiness and, as a result of that, on risk as well
Necessity in activation of warranty in solution of problems of credit risks
Recommendations adopted by the round table “Urgent Issues of Tax Administration”
Consider possibility of application of a lower VAT on a number of essential commodities.
Introduction of differentiation mechanisms in the tax administration processes as well as in calling small, medium and major tax-payers to account
Informing tax payers on all imminent changes and bills on tax code as well as organization of public discussions on them
Recommendations adopted by the round table “Economic Cooperation in Modern World – View from Armenia”
Under the conditions of swift pace of development consider possibility of increase of productivity of acting or creation of new mechanisms of fast response to challenges Armenia faces
Consider possibility of creation of more productive methods of economic cooperation
Constant increase of efficiency of mechanisms of cooperation in the “Armenian world”
Recommendations adopted by the round table “Urgent Issues of Legal Protection of Intellectual Property”
Create practically more convenient mechanisms of application on registration of trademarks for entities from NKR, which means that submission of applications shall be conducted through the relevant department of the Ministry of Economic Development of NKR
Initiate certain work for activation of process of submission of e-applications in order to attract bigger number of applicants
Recommendations adopted by the round table “State – Business Partnership in Developing Transportation Corridors of Armenia”
Necessity in development of transportation system in Armenia with consideration of harmonization of the conveyance process for all types of transportation means
Aviation
Railway
Vehicle
Marine
a/ Analysis and assessment of volume of conveyance and potential of development of types of transportation
b/ Forming of single guidelines base
c/ Lobbying the access to the closest seaport on reduced tariffs
d/ Ensuring cooperation between the railway and customs agencies in solution of technological issues related to the organization of conveyance process
To organize the works of strategy development on the first stage we propose creation of a task force participated by:
Ministry of Transportation and Communication
Ministry of Economy
State Revenue Committee
Representatives of major transportation companies
Representatives of Association of Freight Forwarders
Profile experts
Recommendations adopted by the round table “Projects of Support and Development of Small and Medium Enterprise”
SME DNC introduced its projects implemented within the framework of the state support program, the results and conditions of their participation in those projects
Forthcoming changes and new projects 2011 were discussed
Financial tools of the universal crediting company “SME Invest” were introduced
The above-mentioned proposals may finally serve as bases for development of strategic programs aiming at ensuring of actual economic growth.
Participants of Forum assign the organizing committee to submit the current recommendations to the relative agencies of legislative and executive authorities as well as to cover the outcomes of the Forum in the mass media, thus providing feedback with the society.
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