ArmInfo. The Armenian authorities are making another attempt to simplify the procedure for issuing certificates of origin and conducting expert examinations. At its plenary session on March 24, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia will discuss amendments to the Law "On Chambers of Commerce and Industry" and a package of related documents in their second reading.
As RA Minister of Economy Gevork Papoyan noted in his speech, the package also establishes requirements for the bodies conducting the examinations and the procedure for qualifying experts. The Minister noted that the consequences of existing systemic problems in issuing certificates of origin are both economic and administrative. They negatively impact the time and cost effectiveness of export processes, limit the competitiveness of economic entities, reduce the transparency of public administration, and hinder the full realization of Armenia's foreign trade potential. Therefore, it is necessary to implement comprehensive reforms in the sector aimed at simplifying and clarifying procedures and improving the legal framework. In the production of goods, particularly when determining customs exemptions, the issuance of a certificate of origin is of great importance. Therefore, it is especially important that this process be clear, predictable, and avoid creating difficulties for bona fide entrepreneurs. The problem is that current legislation contains provisions that vaguely define the procedure for issuing certificates of origin and conducting product inspections, both domestic and foreign. Therefore, issuing a certificate or conducting product inspections creates certain challenges. The need to improve the certificate of origin issuance sector is driven by numerous issues, including legal inconsistency, a high administrative burden, limited use of digital solutions, and a lack of data transparency.
The proposed package of measures envisions transferring the issuance of certificates of origin to the Ministry of Economy, while conducting expert examinations is to be performed by private companies. In this regard, it is necessary to repeal Article 6, Part 1, Clause "e" of the Law "On Chambers of Commerce and Industry" and amend the Law "On the Structure and Activities of the Government" accordingly.
Amendments should be made to the Law "On Registration of Activities" to add the scope of expert examination required to determine the country of origin of goods to the list of activities subject to registration. The package also introduces amendments to the Law "On State Duty" to establish appropriate fees for issuing certificates of origin of goods.
Given that the package envisages the establishment of a state duty for certificates of origin issued for goods that do not require expert examination, it is proposed to amend the Law "On Customs Regulation" accordingly.
