“It is already time to introduce the Institute of the Business Ombudsman in Armenia,” Hakob Avagyan, the President of the SME Cooperation Association believes.
He says that the business ombudsman’s powers are more specific and targeted. “In particular, the Business Ombudsman’s authority includes protection of business rights of small and medium enterprises, protection of the rights of the entrepreneur in general.”
Currently the process has started, is expected to establish the business ombudsman’s institute at the Prime Minister. “The Council of the Business Ombudsman will be formed of 5 public bodies at the Prime Minister, 5 CSOs and 3 international organizations. The selection is carried out as follows: the 5 public bodies and 5 CSO sector representatives recommend their candidates, after which voting takes place, each group has a right to vote. If the vote fails twice then all candidates vote,” Mr. Avagyan said.
He believes that this institute will function more effectively as a result of the constitutional amendments. “Based on the fact that the prime minister’s institute becomes more powerful by the constitutional amendments, and based on the experience, particular problem are solved if they appear on the prime minister’s table.”
Comparing the Business Ombudsman with the Human Rights Defender, Mr. Avagyan said that as a rule the HRD’s reports stay “taken note of”. Whereas in this case the problem must be solved, because it becomes a subject of discussion at the executive.
As a negative feature Mr. Avagyan noted the fact that the Business Ombudsman is funded by the State and is considered a government official. “I also agree that this is a problem, but everything depends on the person, his reputation, he should inspire confidence in business sector,” Mr. Avagyan concluded.
