Business associations in Armenia are creating a website to encourage SMEs to complain about barriers they face in doing business.
The new reporting platform is part of a project, “Evidence-based Advocacy for Reform”, funded by the EU4Business programme.
The European Business Association Armenia, the voice of the EU business community in the country set up by the EU Delegation to Armenia, said business people will be able to report anything that hinders business, related to tax, customs, licenses and permits, fair competition, public procurement and other areas.
“We conducted a survey among 140 companies. The process showed that people are reluctant to express their concerns openly. In fact, it takes a very long period of time before dialogue may take place,” explained Garegin Galustov, EBA business development manager.
The website is designed to generate solid evidence and statistical data upon which to base reform suggestions. It is part of the initiative to improve public-private dialogue between the Armenian government and SMEs, and create a favourable business environment for SMEs in Armenia.
The new reporting platform is part of a project, ‘Evidence-based Advocacy for Reform’, funded by the Support to SME Development in Armenia (SMEDA) project within the EU4Business initiative.
Free legal help
Under the “Evidence-based Advocacy for Reform” project, the ALA is also providing free legal assistance to SMEs in Yerevan, Gavar, Gyumri, Kapan and Vanadzor. Lawyers in ALA regional offices are currently being trained to advise companies on the full range of business issues considered in the project (see above).
SMEs can apply for free legal help via one of the contacts listed below.
c. Yerevan, 7 Nalbandyan, office 2, 0010
Free telephone number (hotline): 080001110
Tel.: +37410 540199
Contact person: Mariam Zadoyan
c. Kapan, A. Manukyan 1/72
Tel.: +374 285 52511
c. Vanadzor, Vardanants 82/1
Tel : +374 322 22317
c. Gyumri, Tigran Mets 1/2
Tel: +374 312 58236
c. Gavar, Boshnaghyan 56/7
Tel.: +374 264 25503
Legal advice concerning IT sphere by UITE lawyer
Tel.: +374 93 25 18 22
+374 91 25 18 22
Contact person: Arkadi Sahakyan, UITE lawyer
Tax and customs issues only, related to export/import from/to Europe
Tel.: +37477 66 11 28
Contacts: Anna Mikayelyan and Karine Khumaryan
