By Hrach Melkumian
The Armenian government approved on Thursday a one-year plan to boost small and medium-sized businesses which provide the lion’s share of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
Officials said the government will strive to put in place an infrastructure conducive to the development of private firms with up to one hundred employees. The ministry of trade and industry, which drew up the program, will also help them find export markets by providing appropriate information and training their marketing personnel.
However, the program, as outlined by government officials, is short on specifics, and its overall cost -- 20 million drams ($35,000) -- is very modest. It is not clear if it contains specific measures to improve the business environment in which small and medium-sized enterprises operate. They are often targets of harassment by corrupt tax officials.
The Armenian government approved on Thursday a one-year plan to boost small and medium-sized businesses which provide the lion’s share of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
Officials said the government will strive to put in place an infrastructure conducive to the development of private firms with up to one hundred employees. The ministry of trade and industry, which drew up the program, will also help them find export markets by providing appropriate information and training their marketing personnel.
However, the program, as outlined by government officials, is short on specifics, and its overall cost -- 20 million drams ($35,000) -- is very modest. It is not clear if it contains specific measures to improve the business environment in which small and medium-sized enterprises operate. They are often targets of harassment by corrupt tax officials.