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It is proposed to reduce the current state duty of 14.000 AMD on cement imported into Armenia to 9.000 AMD, and remove the duty of 2.000 AMD on clinker – the cement raw material. The deputy Babken Tunyan informed about this during the debate of the draft law o n Amending the RA Law on State Duty authored by him and Hovik Aghazaryan . The adoption of the draft is due to the need to protect the local production of cement, as well as to ensure an equal competitive field for imported and locally produced products . The authors expect that as a result of the adoption of the draft, the regulation effective from 2019 will be adjusted in accordance with the latest developments in the cement market and the changed basic conditions. With the adoption of the draft, the balanced competitive condition of the cement market will be restored, preventing further market concentration and unreasonable price increases. Steps will be taken to increase productivity and lower costs by creating incentives for local companies.

The deputy Vigen Khachatryan was interested in how the initiative will affect the budget revenues. Babken Tunyan presented details on the initiative, adding that the purpose of the draft is to protect the local producer.

The NA Standing Committee on Economic Affairs endorsed the draft. The co-rapporteur Tsovinar Vardanyan informed that the draft is aimed at ensuring the competitive field in the sphere.

The RA Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan informed that the Government gave its consent to the debated draft, but also heard the concerns of the colleagues regarding the amount of the tax. The Minister noted that the Government is ready for additional debate to find the best solution that will balance the interests of manufacturers and developers. The issue is that developers see problems related to the price and quality of cement.

During the exchange of ideas, the deputy Gevorg Papoyan proposed to keep the proposed duty of 9,000 drams, and then, if necessary, to make possible corrections.

In his final speech, the key rapporteur Babken Tunyan said that the debate of the draft in the second reading will not be held within twenty-four hours, as it was previously decided. The reason is the need for additional debate of the draft.