YEREVAN, October 6. /ARKA/. Priorities for the next phase of tax and customs administration reform in Armenia were discussed during a meeting between Eduard Hakobyan, Chairman of the State Revenue Committee (SRC) of Armenia, Fabrizio Zarcone, Head of the World Bank Office in Yerevan, and Alexandra Cole, the UK Ambassador to Armenia.
The meeting reviewed the results of cooperation between the SRC, the World Bank, and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and examined future directions for joint work. A panel discussion titled “From Reforms to Results: Cooperation and Priorities for the Next Phase of Tax and Customs Administration Transformation” also took place, according to the SRC press service.
Speaking about the cooperation with the World Bank and the FCDO, Hakobyan outlined the results achieved in improving tax and customs administration.
According to him, the simplification of processes, increased transparency, and more effective use of data are creating new opportunities for taxpayers and participants in foreign economic activity.
“This cooperation is not limited to any single program or initiative; rather, it aims to lay the groundwork for the next stage of the Committee’s development. Support from international partners enables us to turn ideas into practical solutions,” Hakobyan stated.
He noted that the cooperation aligns with the SRC’s vision of building a modern, efficient, and transparent structure capable of ensuring effective state revenue administration and creating a clear, business-friendly environment. For her part, Cole emphasized the importance of an effective tax and customs system for doing business.
“Having a strong, transparent, and efficient system based on clear rules significantly facilitates business processes, which is precisely why we support this initiative. The results achieved lay a solid foundation for continuing and deepening our long-term partnership,” she said.
Dzarcone noted the long-standing nature of the cooperation between the SRC, the World Bank, and the UK, emphasizing that it extends beyond short-term technical assistance programs.
Meeting participants also discussed priorities for the next phase of tax and customs administration reform, considering new opportunities for regional integration and Armenia’s connectivity.
The parties reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation in modernizing tax and customs administration, building institutional capacity, and adopting international best practices.
Following the panel discussion, representatives from the SRC and the World Bank held a separate meeting to review the implementation progress of the fourth Public Sector Modernization Project (PSMP-4) and discuss next steps.
