On 15 December the “Evidence-based Advocacy for Reform” Project that is going to be implemented by the European Business Association (EBA), Union of Information Technology Enterprises (UITE) and Armenian Lawyers’ Association (ALA) was launched.
This new platform, which will be created with introduction of the latest technologies, is to identify the obstacles impeding businesses, corruption risks and recommend solutions. The project is also aimed to increase the impact of the membership-based organizations and business associations to promote reforms in SME sector.
Ms. Diana Sarumova, Executive Director of the 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, fair competition, public procurement and other areas. However, individuals will be able to use the platform in future as well.
Key point is whistle blowing system will be fully confidential that will be provided by the TOR system.
“All the applications would be analyzed, appropriate reports prepared and legislative proposals will be submitted,” she adds.
Mr. Karen Zadoyan, President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association mentioned that the project objective is creating the whistle-blowers’ platform in business sphere.
“Each SME representative, can provide reliable information on the sectorial issues and corruption risks without revealing his identity and be confident that the privacy of his personality is technically ensured,” he said and also noted that the most important element of the project is cooperation between the government and the private sector.
According to the Ms. Anna Karapetyan, UITE Projects Manager the project will have a transparent platform where businesses will present the issues related to legislation, which hinder the business. “There will be a website, work advisers who provide online advice to applicants. The website will be permanently operating and it will be under the government’s attention, so that the problem is resolved with the government.”
“Evidence-based Advocacy for Reform” Project is implemented in the framework of “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). GIZ Private Sector Development in South Caucasus Programme implements SMEDA project.
SMEDA is part of the EU4Business and EU4Innovation initiatives of the European Union.
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