1 / 21

On January 11, initiated by the Chair of the RA NA Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs Taguhi Tovmasyan, a debate on the possibilities of establishing privileges for the family members of the servicemen fallen in the 44-day war and for the persons displaced from Artsakh by banks and credit organizations was held. The NA deputies, representatives from the RA Government, the RA Central Bank, the Chairman and the Executive Director of the Union of Banks of Armenia, heads of a number of banks took part in the debate.

According to Taguhi Tovmasyan, it is time to look for a system solution. It should be such that the private banks do not suffer, and assistance can be provided to the families who had losses at the same time.

The Executive Director of the Union of Banks of Armenia Seyran Sargsyan informed that as of July 30, 2021, the banks and credit organizations in Armenia forgave the loan liabilities of about 2.8 bln AMD to the persons fallen and missing in the war, their family members – 17.100 persons.

It was noted that in October 2020, the National Assembly passed a draft law that gave an opportunity to banks and credit organizations to forgive loan liabilities of the persons fallen, missing or being disabled as a result of military actions and a certain circle of persons connected with them without tax consequences.

Arsen Manukyan, the Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, informed that in March 2021, the Government of Artsakh made a decision on the compensation of loan liabilities. According to him, programs worth about 130 bln AMD were implemented from November 2020 to December 2021, which were aimed at restoring socio-economic life of Artsakh. Arsen Manukyan has underlined that the Government will continue to support the socio-economic recovery of Artsakh in 2022 too.

The representatives of the RA banks provided information related to the privileges given by their banks. It has been noted that there is no complete information yet on how many of the victims have had loans.

In Gegham Nazaryan’s opinion, the deputy from the NA Armenia Faction, the direct participation of the state is necessary for the settlement of the problem. According to him, banks and credit organizations cannot solve the problem alone. The deputy proposed to create a working group to study the above-mentioned issues.

The proposal was acceptable for the Chair of the RA NA Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs Taguhi Tovmasyan. An agreement was reached to create a working group in the near future with the participation of the Government, the National Assembly and the representatives of the Central Bank.