State Revenue Committee Proposes Customs Attaché at Armenian Embassy in Russia

The State Revenue Committee is expanding international cooperation in the fields of taxation and customs. Following its accession to the World Customs Organization's "Mercator" program, Armenia will receive support for the development of its customs service capabilities, ensuring the implementation of the World Trade Organization's "Trade Facilitation Agreement." This information comes from the public relations department of the Armenian SRC.

Surent Melik-Israelian, head of the International Cooperation Department of the SRC, stated, "The International Cooperation Department has initiated a program for the exchange of preliminary information regarding passengers arriving from and departing by air, which involves risk targeting and simplifying inspection procedures."

The World Customs Organization also welcomed Armenia's proposed programs regarding the monitoring of containers and the study of exemption deadlines. The next conference on information technologies of the WCO will be held in Armenia.

As part of cooperation with neighboring countries, new projects are being developed aimed at exchanging electronic data regarding transported goods and vehicles.

Additionally, an intergovernmental agreement is to be signed with India on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters. Notably, the SRC has proposed to have a customs attaché at the Armenian Embassy in Russia, which would quickly respond to arising issues at Upper Lars.

In the context of cooperation with the European Union, collaboration in the customs sector, services, electronic trade, and intellectual property rights will continue in 2019.

Surent Melik-Israelian announced that the "Tax Inspectors Without Borders" program will launch in 2019. "This year, we will also expand international tax cooperation tools such as the exchange of tax information, transfer pricing in international trade, and tools to counter the erosion of the tax base and profit shifting, known as BEPS, which has already been adopted by Armenia," he added.

The State Revenue Committee will continue its work under the framework of the Intra-European Organisation of Tax Administrations (IOTA) and China's Belt and Road Initiative.

As a result of active cooperation with international partners, the efficiency of collaboration with the specialized customs and tax bodies of the EAEU and CIS will also increase.