PM: No concessions to traders avoiding customs duties

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia rules out any possibility of making concessions to those people who import goods for commercial purposes under the guise of personal use in an effort to avoid customs duties.

At Wednesday’s parliament session resuming debates on the new government program, the PM urged traders to be honest in doing business, stressing all imported goods must go through the customs clearance process in Armenia.

“You shall import goods, make customs clearance and pay the taxes, no matter whether you are a vender or a big businessman. There will be no concessions to anyone. I will not let anyone to talk to me with the language of lies,” Pashinyan said, commenting on the observation of Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Vahe Enfiajyan suggesting traders who import goods from Turkey complain over the new import and customs clearance procedures.

“Our government had demonstrated its will on the matter. At the government session, I specifically asked not to exploit that, but it was exploited. If those people admit that they are doing business, let’s sit down and talk, but do not deceive us. Of course, we are ready for discussions,” he said.