2018 October 17

Anti-Corruption Daily

by ar_david_hh

All the accused are innocent until proven guilty by the court of law. Currency in Armenian Drams unless specified otherwise.

Health Ministry is auditing St. Gregory Illuminator hospital for the use of funds they’ve received from the budget on 2014-2015. Earlier, the 2016-2018 funds audit revealed massive corruption and embezzlement scheme, which led to leadership changes and criminal cases. There are 5 other medial centers being audited http://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/145772

FactorTV sources say there will be a mass amnesty of up to 800 prisoners on October 19th, for the first time in 5 years. Some of them could be members of Sasna Tsrer, but not those who fired shots at the police officers. The amnesty will greatly reduce the inmate count in Armenia. It is dedicated to Yerevan's 2800th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of 1st Armenian Republic. https://factor.am/91423.html

Pashinyan and his QP party will not endorse QP member Sasun Mikaelyan’s son as the Hrazdan mayor in the upcoming elections. Pashinyan says he doesn’t want to endorse the idea of bringing close family members into such roles. Says he has nothing against Sasun. Sasun‘s son himself has earlier decided to run as an independent in order not to cause problems https://armenpress.am/arm/news/951246.html

The government is considering to exempt all small businesses earning less than AMD 20mln per year from taxation. Syrian-Armenians were displaying their handcrafts good on Northern Avenue today. Some of them have already been given rights to do business without taxes, and had their space rental fees subsidized to encourage a better integration in the economy and society after migrating to Armenia. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5EFAT1W2Jg

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PHOTO: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/951141.html

BHK is happy with the proposed electoral code amendments. https://armenpress.am/arm/news/951168.html

... ARF couldn’t agree with QP and BHK on 2 areas of the reforms, but it’s unlikely to halt the process https://armenpress.am/arm/news/951199.html

Armenian-Russian businessman has decided to move back to Armenia with his family and open a chemical-agricultural products factory in Tumanyan. Says he has attempted this twice under the old administration, but was told not to open his business there (won't say by whom). After the revolution, he says there is more freedom for businessmen like him. He has already made an agreement with the landlord and will soon meet the governor. Says there are only 4 similar factories in Russia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bxscZoYw3Y

China gives 200 more emergency vehicles to Armenia. 130 will be sent to regions. Some of the vehicles are equipped with gear that can be used to provide medical procedures on the spot https://armenpress.am/arm/news/951158.html

There will be a soccer match on October 19th between the newly formed Ambassador team (consisted of foreign embassy members) and the Diplomats (Armenian Foreign Ministry members) https://www.a1plus.am/1645690.html

TUMO's Paris branch is now open. Education Minister and Yerevan mayor were present at the ceremony https://www.a1plus.am/1645730.html

After a year of negotiations between Poland and President Trump, Polish energy sector has signed a 20 year deal to purchase 2mln tons of liquid American gas annually. This is a direct blow to Russia, which will have less influence in the region due to an increased energy competition. Poland says the American LNG will cost 20% less (big if true).

Poland currently imports 10bln cubic meter gas from Gazprom. The 2mln LNG equals to 2.7bln cubic meters.

Earlier, another deal was signed to import LNG until 2022. The newest deal is the bigger one and will kick-in once Poland's long-term contract with GazProm ends on 2022.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/951154.html ----- https://www.rigzone.com/news/gulf_coast_lng_heading_to_poland_under_longterm_deal-17-oct-2018-157233-article/

Link to original report: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/9p29i5/anticorruption_oct172018/