ArmInfo. Every year trade on the streets of Yerevan is becoming more and more active, especially before the New Year holidays. As a result, sidewalks become impassable, and the streets are polluted. This is stated in the statement of the city hall of the Armenian capital. The statement notes that the Municipality encourages people who are engaged in the trade of fruits and vegetables, and offers them to sell their products in urban markets.
"According to the Law on Trade and Services, open-air trading can only be carried out by legal entities and private entrepreneurs. This involves several products, such as certain types of trees and soft drinks. It follows that everyone can not sell any product, especially food, on the streets, "the statement stresses. The Yerevan Municipality since the beginning of the New Year holidays is working towards the elimination of illegal trade in the open. According to the data available to him, the head of the Kentron administrative district Victor Mnatsakanyan, about 150 residents of Yerevan are engaged in the illegal sale of agricultural products in several streets of the city. In this regard, there are many complaints from our citizens. "Until January 15, we will deal with the elimination of illegal trade in agricultural products, and then proceed to the illegal trade in other types of goods on the central streets of Yerevan," he said, promising that in a few days Yerevan will see new approaches in another capital.
The statement emphasizes that in its time, the Yerevan Second Market (formerly GUM) did not provide a place for those who want to trade there. Now the situation has completely changed. In turn, market director Vazgen Nahapetyan said that trading on the street is a lot of trouble, people rarely come to the market. "Today we have about 250 free pavilions. During the first month we are ready to provide the territory for free, later the territory will be provided at an affordable price - up to 500 drams per day," he stressed. The mayor's office also reports that shop owners and tenants also complain about food dealers on the streets, as they pay taxes in legal sales of agricultural products and find themselves in unequal competitive conditions compared to those selling on the street. "There are 300-350 vacancies also in the area of Garegin Nzhdeh Square200 of which the management is ready to provide free of charge in the next six months," the statement said. In all administrative districts there are places for trade in agricultural products. Today the Municipality, together with the Armenian police, is taking measures to combat street trade in the open air. Starting from January 8, inspections will be carried out in large volumes, and business violators will be held responsible. The municipality offers citizens involved in food trade to move to trade points, if necessary, to organize new mini-markets.
"The final solution to the problem is in the legislative field. The list of goods that will be allowed to be sold on the street will be clearly defined, and the authorities of the municipalities and administrative districts will receive more authority," the statement reads.