There are different views about how to tackle corruption. Some offer starting with the top officials stuck in corrupt millions, while others think it is necessary to start from grassroots. The reasons why such destructive phenomenon as corruption blossoms in Armenia have become the topic for panel discussion between opposition representatives and government officials at the conference organized by Republican Union of Employers of Armenia on sidelines of the presentation of National Report "Favorable Business Environment for Sustainable Entrepreneurship."
Armen Martirosyan, Vice Chairman of Heritage opposition party, says there is system corruption in Armenia with sponsorship, bribery, and patronage being a usual thing in any activity at any level: domestic, administrative, business or state.
All present at the debates agreed with the opinion that corruption is in favor of the power representatives, as corrupt money is flowing into their pockets through well-drafted regional and republican pyramid schemes. The corruption would not reach such scales if there were political will of the authorities, the panelists said.
Only one of them, Deputy Minister of Justice Suren Krmoyan disagreed with other panelists. He is sure that if no one gives a bribe, no one would take it. He blames the people for giving bribes to officials, doctors, teachers and others. At the same time, he urged an atmosphere of intolerance to corruption, though it was not clear whom his words were addressed to.
Former parliamentarian, well-known economist Vardan Bostanjyan said the business environment in the country forces businessmen to share their incomes with tax officers, customs officers and other bureaucrats not to lose their businesses.
Hrant Bagratyan, the former prime minister, oppositionist MP, said customs agencies account for 60% of total corruption in the country. The share of tax officers in total is not small either, he said.
Executive Director of the Republican Union of Employers of Armenia Marine Zhamkochyan pointed at the large-scale corruption at the regional local self-government bodies. Both the ordinary citizens and businessmen suffer from corruption, especially when it comes to distribution of government contracts and state procurement.
The panel discussion showed that the approaches of the opposition and the government to the fight against corruption differ fundamentally. Opposition and free businessmen say it is necessary to start with the top officials in combating corruption, while the government officials is sure that it is necessary to start with grassroots.
The Republican Union of Employers of Armenia conducted a survey among 300 businessmen in the country and found out that more than half of them faced corruption problem. Most of businessmen complain about unequal competition, informal shadow business patronized by the government officials.
Chairman of the Union Gagik Makaryan highlighted that Armenia's improved position in WB's Doing Business report does not mean that the business environment in the country has been improved too. No matter how easy it is to start a business in the country if businessmen have to work in conditions of unfair competition and pressure, Makarayan said for conclusion.