ArmInfo.The modest figures set in the draft budget for 2019, which the new leadership inherited from the previous one, may be exceeded, especially in terms of increasing the social orientation of this document. Such an opinion was expressed by the well-known Armenian economist, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Tatul Manaseryan, in his speech in the "Pastark" club.
He emphasized that the solution of current economic problems in the country today has a direct connection with the upcoming elections to the National Assembly in December, the successful and fair implementation of which will create political stability, and a new platform for involving the population in the real reform of the economic foundations of the state and its development in a new reformatted scenario. The economist stressed that the main vector of economic transformations should be humanistic, aimed at meeting both the social and economic needs of the citizen, who would clearly understand where and in what direction the state is developing.
The economist expressed hope that after the elections there will be a situation when the opinion of professionals will no longer be ignored, professionalism will start to be in demand, and everyone who is ready to contribute to the development of the country will receive this opportunity. Then a new management culture will be formed, in which the solution of pressing social and economic problems will not depend on group interests, as before. According to him, the burden of responsibility should be distributed among all, and eventually come to a balance between the concepts of authority and responsibility, which is crucial for development.
At the same time, the economist tried to outline the threats and challenges faced by the Armenian economy, most of which relate to such infrastructure areas as labor, transport, energy, etc. Their development must keep pace with the search for ways to increase Armenia's competitiveness in the international market of goods and services which, in turn, cannot be achieved without ensuring freedoms for the development of the economic initiative of citizens, the self-fulfillment of people and economic agents, state support of both ideas and innovations, and the process of their implementation starting from microbusiness level. "Armenia needs to conduct a full inventory of its economic capabilities and human capital in order to understand how to enter foreign markets with its unique features of national competitiveness," Manaseryan said. The economist was quite positive about the upcoming package of tax reforms (based on reducing income tax to 23%, and within 5 years up to 20%, compensating increase in profit tax and dividends-ed. note) stressing that they should be adopted and put into practice, and in the future, if necessary, improve towards supporting the development of business initiatives and business innovations, and not for purely fiscal purposes.
From the point of view of regional development, Manaseryan considered it very important to establish free economic zones in the border areas, the idea of which he personally actively supported. The law is adopted, but it does not work, because the state has done nothing to fulfill this opportunity. The economist also touched upon the issue of improving instruments for ensuring fair competition in the market. It is necessary to change the procedural essence of the state body involved in ensuring the competitive environment. "This should not be a body that deals with the protection of economic competition, but a rigid structure - the anti-monopoly committee, which will have broad powers, including to investigate cartel agreements and in the field of economic security," stressed Manaseryan. He specifically noted that the development of democracy in the country and democratic institutions in no way contradicts the need to introduce strict control over the processes taking place in the country.