“South Caucasus Railways” company in the first 9 months of this year compared to the same period of the previous year increased tax payments to the budget for 300 million AMD, reaching 1 billion 347 million AMD and received the 3th place among the best 1000 taxpayers.
The business of the SCR is not going bad: shipments are increased in all directions, both internal and external; the number of transportation of passengers is not low either. According to official media of SCR, the number of transportation of international passengers is growing year by year. In particular, in the period of January-September of 2008 compared to now it has grown by 296 per cent, while transportation only Yerevan-Batumi-Yerevan course increased by 591 per cent.
At the same time SCR receives a subsidy from the RA state budget, for the losses it suffered. And for some unknown reasons the reimbursement amounts for loss are increasing year by year. According to the state budget for 2013, subsidy of 328.8 million AMD is expected to be given to SCR, which has increased for 173.8 million AMD compared to 2012. “Compensation for Losses” is defined by the contract of “Russian Railways” OJSC, which created “South Caucasus Railways” CJSC to control the Armenian railway system, which was signed in February, 2008. The agreement established that the amount of subsidy for 2009-2010 is 10% 2011-2012- 15% , in 2013 – 20%, in 2014-2015 – 25%, and from 2016 until 2038, when the term of the contract ends is 30% for the damage at the transportations. Moreover, the damage is estimated by the SCR hired “independent” auditor.
MP Edmon Marukyan said that taking into account the increase of transportations and ticket prices and such “harmful” conditions this contract cannot be profitable, and it needs a serious review.
