We are going to encourage work as a main way for overcoming poverty – Armenia’s PM

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received today representatives of light industry enterprises working in the spheres of production of clothes, shoes, leather to discuss development issues and prospects.

Welcoming the participants of the discussion, Pashinyan stressed that light industry, and textile production in particular is very important for the economic development. “This meeting is aimed at revealing the existing issues and finding efficient way of cooperation between the enterprises of the sphere and the government,” he said.

“I think poverty in Armenia has been encouraged for a long time and working opportunities have been restricted. Now other logic should be put in the basis of our activities, and we are going to encourage work as a main way for overcoming poverty,” he stressed, saying that creation of new jobs is highlighted in this regard. “We highly rate creation of an atmosphere where people having business skills get an opportunity to apply their full potential without any artificial restrictions,” the PM said.

The representatives of the spheres voiced issues on provision of tax privileges, conditions of customs clearance for imported raw materials, promotion of export, growth of production volumes and creation of new jobs.

Speaking about tax privileges, the PM said that the government is interested in the development of the sphere, creation of new jobs, raise of salaries and will do everything possible for it. “But we should also register the issue of ensuring the income part of the state budget. We do not reject any proposal but everything must be viewed in balance. We should find the right balance to ensure development of the spheres without hindering it and to be able to keep the infrastructures in working conditions, for being able, for instance, repair road,” he said, adding that no proposal will be ignored.

The PM also highly rated the promotion of local production and increase of its volume.

Summing up the results of the meeting, Pashinyan said that they are aimed at promoting production in Armenia. Textile, light industry are priorities for the government. “I would like to register qualitative changes in government-producer relations. We want a real partnership, we want tax payers to be sure that each money they pay are not wasted but are effectively used for ensuring the natural work of country’s infrastructures,” the PM said.