2021 December 30

Daily news wrap-up

Daily News - Dec/30/2021: New biometric passports, e-signature, mobile ID __ Top-1O athletes awarded __ IRS: record jobs, taxes, salaries __ 750 km roads built; North-South; Another Syunik road __ One year needed to launch Armenia-Nakhijevan railway __ More flag more good? __ EU visa regime __ more
by ar_david_hh

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Your 9-minute Thursday report in 2413 words.

top-10 athletes receive awards

On Thursday, Pashinyan issued awards and monetary gifts to athletes who were voted best in 2021:

Arthur Aleksanyan (Silver in Tokyo Olympics wrestling)

Malkhas Amoyan (Gold in world wrestling)

Hovhannes Bachkov (Bronze in world boxing)

Arthur Davtyan (Bronze in Olympic athletics)

Varazdat Lalayan (Gold in U23 European weightlifting)

Elina Danielyan (Gold in European chess)

Arsen Harutyunyan (Bronze in world wrestling)

Simon Martirosyan (Bronze in world weightlifting)

Gor Minasyan (Bronze in world weightlifting)

Davit Chaloyan (Silver in world boxing)

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072076.html https://youtu.be/akHWyMo-XkM

2021 budget revenues surpassed estimates by $300 million

IRS chief: this year's budget revenue was expected to be ֏1.440 trillion. The number exceeded by ֏146 billion.

The rise in revenue was partly because of the new mining export tax that we imposed recently. Here are the numbers with and without the new mining tax:

+14% from 2020 with the new tax, +11% without it.

+8% from 2019 with the new tax, +5% without it.

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The year will end with a record amount of tax refunds:

2019: ֏180b

2020: ֏140b

2021: ֏185b

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072031.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072047.html

Pashinyan: one of the important events of 2021 is that the government is now a shareholder in the Zangezur copper plant

Pashinyan: the recent decision to increase taxes on mining export was justified. These taxes will last until we implement a new [fair] royalty system.

It will be flexible. When the global prices increase, the royalty fees will also increase to protect the public interest. When global prices drop, the system will protect the business's interests.

One of the important indicators of 2021 is that the government is now a shareholder in ZCMC. //

https://factor.am/459733.html

Finance Minister: capital spending performance was 86% this year

Khachatryan: we should use this as a bar for ourselves for next year because the 2022 budget will allocate significantly more funds for capital spending.

Pashinyan: 86% may not be perfect, but it's higher compared to previous years.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072033.html

750 km of roads were built in 2021

Infrastructure Minister Sanosyan: this year was difficult because we built several unplanned roads. 750 kilometers of roads were built, fully or partially funded by the federal government. Our programs are helping construction firms increase their capabilities.

another alternative road in Syunik: "largest road project to date"

Minister Sanosyan: Tatev-Lchen road is 20 km. The earthwork is complete in a 13 km section. This is the single largest road construction project in the history of modern Armenia. We are building a completely new 20 km road in difficult mountain terrain.

The year will be different because normally construction crews take a 4-5 month break, but the construction won't stop in 7-8 locations. These "nonstop" locations are mostly in Syunik.

This year we also built 92 km of unplanned roads at the request of the Defense Ministry.

Pashinyan: attempts are being made to create the impression that these changes, in the field of road construction, are connected with the families of government officials. They are trying to give the impression that we are "doing asphalt business". Many companies, owned by former regime members, win and do the construction work. The investigators should not ignore any claims. Law enforcement should audit every tender auction to see if laws were violated. I won't rule out corruption. Very recently the agents arrested a road department agent for "atkats".

We can't afford to reject qualified construction firms. There is a shortage. We have a problem with finding construction firms to build roads. If we had enough qualified firms, we would complete more than 86% of capital expenditures. At the same time, we have a significant improvement in road repair quality as well.

This year we built the important Kapan-Tatev road and opened part of the North-South highway in Talin-Gyumri. The normal connection between Gyumri and Yerevan has been restored. For many years it was curvy and long.

Minister Sanosyan: The 750 km construction number would have been higher if we ignored the quality. The number doesn't include road repairs that have not yet been certified due to quality problems. Inspectors are working on it.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072037.html https://factor.am/459752.html https://factor.am/459757.html

Minister: It'll take 10-12 months to launch cargo transfers via Yeraskh-Nakhijevan

Infrastructure Minister Sanosyan: Active works are underway to launch the construction of Armenian sections of the Yeraskh-Nakhijevan-Meghri-Azerbaijan railway.

Up to a year is needed for the Yeraskh-Julfa section.

Other parts, in Meghri and Horadiz, require several years of work because the rails were removed.

The state will finance the construction once certain things are clarified. We could take a loan or there could be an agreement with the South-Caucasus Railways. We're discussing all possible options. //

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/297672/

IRS chief: 2021 saw record-high numbers in jobs and average monthly income

Badasyan: the average number of monthly job positions have increased:

2019: 602k

2020: 609k

2021: 634k

The average monthly income:

2019: ֏190k

2020: ֏203k

2021: ֏214k

Pashinyan: we also had higher inflation due to global developments relating to supply and demand. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072034.html

Pashinyan: 2022 should be a year of rise and rebirth

The war's consequences will long be felt and we must consistently overcome this situation. We must do everything in our power to find solutions so that the next generations and governments don't inherit the continuously complicating problems, but instead inherit a stable situation, which is a key precondition for ensuring the future normal development of the country. It doesn't only depend on us. We must be able to create such a matured process that would eventually enable us to complete the agenda.

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1072027.html

the government wants to raise the Armenian flag on more buildings

The gov't approved a proposed resolution to amend the flag law. The goal is to display the flag in more areas and to "strengthen respect" towards it.

The bill will require the flag to be installed on education buildings (preschool to university), science facilities, sports-cultural venues, and other facilities co-founded by the state and local authorities.

https://factor.am/459840.html

the process to replace old passports with new ones has begun / e-signature / mobile ID

The government approved changes to the passport issuing process. The old-style (current) passports, which do not have modern biometric features, will be issued only for 2 years. That's because they plan to introduce new passports with biometric data soon. They don't want to distribute old ones with long expiration dates in order to ensure a quick transition.

ID cards will continue to have a 10-year expiration date.

Police official: Preparatory work has begun to implement the system to have new biometric documents. This isn't just about printing and issuing passports. It's a more global system about identification & information.

This will ensure proper citizen identification in state institutes and in the economy. We're trying to be one step ahead with the technological solutions and introduction of e-passports.

Pashinyan: This is an important step forward because Armenia is technologically backward. The passports we use today haven't been used in the developed world for many years now. Without new tech, we cannot ensure digitization.

We need a system that can prevent falsifications during elections. It is necessary, for example, to have the ID as a single document for the elections. The ID will be used during the voting, and the data will be propagated to the election systems across Armenia. Today it's more complicated with multiple types of documents: passport, biometric passport, ID card, բերված տեղեկանք, etc.

Due to lack of digitization, we faced major problems during the pandemic. We had difficulty finding and creating lists of aid recipients.

The planned digitization is based on three things: ID, e-signature, and mobile ID. Digitization will also help spend less public resources. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072042.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072047.html https://youtu.be/RW0HoqcLUuQ https://youtu.be/GRztANESoqA

US State Department calls for Azerbaijan to release the remaining POWs after the repatriation of 5 soldiers on Wednesday

>We urge the full and expeditious release of all remaining detainees, exchange of remains, and accounting for missing persons. We stress the importance of humane treatment of detainees in accordance with international obligations

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072024.html

Armenian sappers in Artsakh have cleared 92,000 m^2 area of 867,000 bombs and ammo since the ceasefire

https://factor.am/459723.html

Russian MFA: The appointment of special envoys between Armenia and Turkey is a logical and reasonable step

Zakharova: We believe that the normalization of AM-TR relations will contribute to the recovery of the region and the formation of good-neighborliness. We're ready to be mediators.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072048.html

the government won't extend the ban on Turkish imports

Pashinyan administration placed a ban on most Turkish imports after the war. There were complaints that people were importing them under different tags. The ban has lasted a year, and won't be extended amid attempts to normalize relations.

Economy Ministry: The yearlong ban had positive and negative consequences. The positive is that it allowed for the opening of several light industry, construction, and furniture manufacturing businesses.

However, it had a negative effect on inflation, which was especially evident in a number of widely consumed goods. There were also requests by negatively-impacted local businesses to lift the embargo.

With the lifting of the ban on Turkish imports, the principle of reciprocity is expected to create more favorable conditions for the export of Armenian goods. //

https://factor.am/459964.html

Armenia's Civil Aviation has authorized Flyone Armenia airways to fly to Turkey

Flyone had earlier requested permission to hold regular Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan flights. Turkey is yet to approve Flyone.

A Turkish airline Pegasus, in turn, is going through a similar process to fly to Armenia, amid attempts to normalize relations.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072064.html

Turkish president's spokesman: There are no obstacles to normalization of relations with Armenia

Ibrahim: Turkey had closed the borders with Armenia in response to Armenia's occupation of Azeri territories. The 2020 war resolved that problem, which means there are no obstacles left for the normalization. We both have envoys and willingness to normalize relations. I believe the process will be constructive and fast. //

https://factor.am/459949.html

OneTwoTrip: Armenia was the top tourism destination for Russians traveling abroad

Armenia accounted for 26.8% of bookings, a YoY increase of 80%.

Armenia surpassed Turkey, which accounted for just 11% of bookings. Azerbaijan had 6%.

The average international airfare per traveler was $142, slightly down from last year.

https://tass.ru/obschestvo/13319987 https://factor.am/459850.html

Yerevan municipality has a new website for tourists: www.VisitYerevan.am

It lists the top attractions in the capital. The app VisitYerevan is the first one published by the municipality.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072058.html

Polish ambassador discussed diplomatic relations in the Caucasus, AM-EU visa liberalization, etc.

Ambassador Ceplak: Poland hopes that the AM-AZ border demarcation process will have a positive solution. We also welcome the attempts to normalize AM-TR relations. I believe the January 13 OSCE meeting in Vienna will play a major role in repatriating POWs.

Poland will assume OSCE leadership in 2022. We will present our priorities, including about the events in South Caucasus. This issue was discussed between MFA Mirzoyan and MFA Rau.

The business environment has gotten better in Armenia in recent years. There could be investments from Poland. Armenian businesses also plan to invest in Poland. I know about several programs but no contracts have been signed yet.

Armenia-Poland annual trade is only $70M because exports are done via Bulgaria as a middleman.

EU visa liberalization for Armenian citizens is possible, but it's very early to give timeframes. Poland supports the liberalization. Nevertheless, this should be the common decision of all EU states. Discussions over the liberalization continue, namely on the level of law enforcement and migrations services.

Two years ago visa liberalization happened for citizens of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, which is possible also for citizens of Armenia. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072041.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072044.html https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1072051.html https://youtu.be/F2eOxgwh0gQ

anti-corruption: IRS agent is charged with bribery

Anti-Corruption Committee reports: a senior IRS inspector discovered that a business had an unregistered worker. He took ֏160K in bibes to exclude the finding from the report. He then warned the business about a follow-up unannounced inspection so they could prepare. The inspector is charged with crimes. The case is in court. //

https://factor.am/459918.html

Parakar is headed for reelection

Pashinyan's former cabinet members' "Aprelu Yerkir" party won the most votes but didn't cross 50%. QP and a local ally formed a coalition with more votes. They had 11 council seats, while AU had 10.

The coalition expected to appoint the mayor, but AU allegedly blocked their candidate from participating. It led to a dispute and a lawsuit.

The court has instructed them to start over. It's unclear whether residents will hold another vote, or it's the council that has to vote again.

https://factor.am/459989.html https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/rn5kf7/dec232021_pressure_on_azerb_to_open_nakhijevan/

50% of the fish produced in Armenia was exported

Economy Ministry: In the past, only 30% of the fish was being exported. Today it's 50%. It's about 10,000 tons of exports.

The fish breeding industry has grown because of more imports of fertilized caviar.

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This year Armenian farmers had 5% more large cattle, +5% cows, +8% shheep, -10% pigs.

93 slaughterhouses are operating in Armenia today. Every province, except Vayots Dzor, has more than one facility. We're guiding investors on how to start a slaughterhouse business.

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An unprecedented increase in honey exports: 88 tons vs 53. Beekeepers used to complain about low sales. The price of honey has increased by 6%, to ֏3750. The honey export market is diversified. //

More: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072067.html

COVID stats

7.2k tested. 89 infected. 196 healed. 7 deaths. 4k active.

Throughout this year, 40k people received Covid care at hospitals.

vaccination stats

943k have received one shot. 711k two shots. 800 three shots.

update: Hungary donated 100,000 AstraZeneca doses to Armenia

They also mediated the release of 5 Armenian POWs yesterday. The move could thaw the Armenia-Hungary relations that were frozen in 2012.

Omicron is deadly, but how deadly?

So far it appears Omicron can be less deadly than Delta for the infected individual, but it could infect many more, overwhelm hospitals, and kill more people in general. "Don't let your guard down."

The Telegraph: in the South African town where the Omicron was first discovered, 4.5% of hospitalized patients have died, whereas during previous waves it would be 21%.

Less than 50% of hospitalized patients needed oxygen therapy, compared to 99.5% during previous waves.

ICU care was needed for 1%, compared to 4.3%.

The average hospital care lasted 4 days, compared to 8.8. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072025.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072016.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072028.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1072030.html https://factor.am/459748.html

end of report

The accused are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law, even if they "appear" guilty.

News archive: http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Daily_Anti-Corruption_Reports

Donations: soldiers' families, humanitarian aid, US tax-deductible donation.

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/rsciyp/daily_news_dec302021_new_biometric_passports/