A new platform will be created with introduction of the latest technologies, which shall identify the issues hindering business, corruption risks and recommend solutions. On 15 December the “Evidence-based Advocacy for Reform” Project was launched. The project is implemented by the Union of Information Technology Enterprises (UITE), Armenian Lawyers’ Association (ALA) and European Business Association (EBA) with financial support of the German International Cooperation (GIZ).
“The project objective is creating the whistle-blowers’ platform in business sphere,” Mr. Karen Zadoyan, President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association said in the interview. According to him, each SME representative, without revealing his identity can provide reliable information on the sectorial issues and corruption risks and be confident that the privacy of his personality is technically ensured.
Karen Zadoyan notes that the creation of this platform is based on the Cooperation Agreement signed between the ALA and UITE. “First of all it is very important for us to be able to implement the agreement that we have reached with the UITE,” Mr. Zadoyan said.
According to him, the most important element of the project is cooperation between the government and the private sector. Identified problems and their solution proposals will be submitted to the relevant state agencies. Also to increase the impact of the membership-based organizations and business associations to promote reforms in SME sector.
Ms Anna Karapetyan, UITE Projects Manager, more practically presents the work of one of the component so the platform. “To have a transparent platform where businesses will present the issues related to legislation, which hinder the business. There will be a website, work advisors who provide online advice to applicants. Suppose a person has to import goods and there are some problems. The person applies and achieve solutions. The website will be permanently operating and under the government’s attention, so that the problem is resolved with the government.”»:
Ms Diana Sarumova, President of European Business Association notes that, since the purpose of project is to eliminate the problems hindering business and ensuring a favorable environment for its development, so originally the platform will be intended for entrepreneurs and the identified problems will be related to the tax, customs, licenses and permits, free competition, public procurement and other areas. However, individuals will be able to use the platform in future as well. According to her, all the applications would be analyzed, appropriate reports prepared and legislative proposals will be submitted.
Karen Zadoyan also notes the importance of providing legal advice to small and medium businesses in the regions. The Armenian Lawyers’ Association provides free legal advice in the scope of the project to SMEs in Yerevan, Gavar, Gyumri, Kapan and Vanadzor. The legal advice will be related to the business sector, particularly tax, customs, licenses and permits, fair competition, public procurement and other sectorial issues and corruption risks.
The offices addresses:
- Central Office: 7 Nalbandyan Str., Suite 2, Yerevan 0010, telephone (+374 10) 54 01 99, e-mail:՝՝[email protected]
- Shirak regional office: 1Tigran Mets Str., apt 2, Gyumri, 3101 telephone: (+374 312) 58236, e-mail: [email protected]
- Gegharkunik regional office: 15 Boshnaghyan Str., Gavar, 1201, telephone: (+374264) 25503, e-mail:՝[email protected]
- Syunik regional office: 1 Aram Manukyan Str. Apt 72, Kapan, 3304, telephone: (+374 285) 52511, e-mail: [email protected]
- Lori regional office: 82 Vardanants Str., apt 1,Vanadzor, 2021 telephone: (+374322) 22317, e-mail: [email protected]
