Since the moment I published these 13 steps to win Armenian Parliament elections in 2012 a number of questions have been addressed to me. The main and most repeating question is: “What is the logic behind?”. I thought it was easy to guess but it appeared to be a hard nut to crack. So today I’m going to explain the logic behind each and every step.

1. Tax-free all Diaspora Armenians investing in Armenia for a period of more than 3 years and ensuring jobs for at least 15 people with minimum salary of US$ 750/month for each employee. (Logic: diaspora+investment+mid/long term results+jobs+buying power to 15 families+society satisfaction)

2. Tax-free all foreign investors investing in Armenia for a period of more than 5 years and ensuring jobs for at least 165 people with minimum salary of US$ 650/month for each employee. (Logic: foreign+investment+long term results+jobs+buying power to 165 families+society satisfaction)

3. Tax-free importing (customs taxes and fees) any food production equipment given that a) equipment is new, unused and of most recent technological standards, b) engages at least 7 employees to run. (Logic: jobs+investment+affordable food+modern technologies imported).

4. Tax-free for 3 years and offer co-investment (as government share) of at least 20% (but not more than 49%) if any of “Fortune 50″ IT companies invests in Armenia. (Logic: IT+foreign+investment+mid/long term results+jobs+competitiveness+civil satisfaction+potential profit for government)

5. Tax-free any internationally or locally patented know-how for 5 years, given that “country of origin” of final produced goods and services will be made in Armenia and production will start in 3 months after successful patenting. (Logic: innovation+investment+long term results+production+competitiveness)

6. Offer to co-invest (as government share) at least 30% (but not more than 49%) in any new IT company, given that a) the company shows successful sales of its products or services for at least 6 months, b) company sells produced goods or services to EU or USA. (Logic: IT+foreign+proven investment+reliable markets+potential profit for government).

7. Demand by law to seal/mark “Made in Armenia” on any product made in Armenia. (Logic: look at “Made in China”, for Christ’s sake).

8. As the state never trained its ministries and other state institutions on how they should spend public (taxpayer’s) money, train public servants who procures using state funds on how to procure using state funds. (Logic: major savings of millions of dollars on government spendings).

9. Reduce road transit fees for logistics from Iran through Armenia to Georgia (or further) for 40%. (Logic: regional competitiveness+profit+new clients).

10. Put a minimum annual trade threshold for a newly built tax-free zone at the airport. (Example: “Dear airport, you remain tax-free zone for the next year if you trade at least EUR xxx,xxx,xxx annually”). Don’t mix up with actual duty free zone in the airport. (Logic: precision in figures+planning+long-term expectations+smart approach).

11. Publicly auction any new land provided by Yerevan municipality for commercial or residential construction by advertising the auction in official newspaper (“Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն”) and Public TV at least 5 weeks before the auction. Make the actual auction electronic and live webcast it on municipality’s website. (Logic: no corruption+justice)

12. Companies employing 20,000 or more people with a minimum salary equaling US$ 390/month do not pay taxes for their lifetime. (Logic: jobs+civil society satisfaction+easy to convince voters+buying power of 20 000 families).

13. The biggest employer and the biggest taxpayer of the country can address Parliament once a year with 30 minutes speech. (Logic: respect and trust of big business+mutual understanding).

Naturally, each point has many other subsequent benefits. Please don’t be afraid to think about them.