The current mechanisms on protection of business interests have run their course and fail to meet the criteria of the business environment reformation, Hakob Avagyan, Head of the Small and Medium Enterprise Cooperation Association, has told ArmInfo.
In this light, he stresses the need to establish a business ombudsman institution in the republic. Avagyan thinks that this initiative will improve the business environment in the country and create efficient mechanisms to protect the small and medium enterprises and to boost the inflow of investments. The expert points out that there are such institutions in many countries and a business ombudsman's office has recently opened in Georgia.
Avagyan stresses that the introduction of the business ombudsman institution will allow the small and medium business representatives to more effectively protect their own interests at courts and to take an active part in reformation of the legislation that regulates the sector. "I'd like to stress that the business ombudsman institution in many countries is an effective counterbalance to the relevant state structures in combating lawlessness, corruption and slackness," says the expert.
It is noteworthy that the need for the business ombudsman institution in Armenia as a step towards improvement of the business environment was stressed during the visit of EBRD President Suma Chakrabarti to Armenia. Suma Chakrabarti raised this issue during the meetings with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, and Vice Premier Vache Gabrielyan. According to Gabrielyan, the authorities of Armenia welcome this initiative.