The EBA Armenia, UITE and ALA held the discussion of the current risks in Customs Sphere and highlights of the new Customs Code on 5 May 2017

Yerevan, 5 May 2017 The European Business Association Armenia, Union of Information Technology Enterprises and Armenian Lawyers’ Association in consortium held a round table discussion of the Current Risks in Customs Sphere and Highlights of the new Customs Code.

The EBA Armenia, UITE and ALA (Consortium) conducted the “Current Risks in Customs Sphere and Highlights of the new Customs Code Discussion” discussion in the framework of the “Evidence-based Advocacy for Reform” project Funded by EU.

The Executive Director of the European Business Association in Armenia, Ms Diana Sarumova stressed the importance of raising awareness on the new Customs Code, as many find it difficult to even find the text of the new Customs Code and learn more than 1000 pages of the document.

Representatives of the State Revenue Committee noted that Armenia is currently in a transitional phase. According to them, prior to becoming member of the Eurasian Economic Union, customs procedures were regulated by principles different than those which are being used now after entering the Eurasian Economic Union, as the new Customs Code of the EEU will provide fundamental changes in the field of legislative regulation.

Representatives of the State Revenue Committee responded extensively on the questions of those present at the discussion, mentioning the details of upcoming changes in customs procedures.

Attendees agreed on the importance of business community’s active role and the urgency of this kind of events aimed at public awareness on the new Customs Code.

The event provided opportunities for the representatives of business community to get necessary clarifications and updates on Customs regulations and reforms from corresponding officials and experts, who have also attended the discussion.

The “Evidence-based Advocacy for Reform” project is implemented in cooperation with a consortium formed by the European Business Association, Union of Information Technology Enterprises, Armenian Lawyers’ Association (Consortium), in the framework of the “Support to SME Development in Armenia” (SMEDA) project, which is co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ Private Sector Development in South Caucasus Programme. SMEDA is part of the EU4Business and EU4Innovation initiatives of the European Union.