ACTIVITY OF INT’L HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS IN FOCUS
As was informed by AzerTAj, at the meeting discussed were the tasks connected to execution of proposals and assignments put forward on the international conference on the topic “10-years of humanitarian activity in Azerbaijan were discussed: the influence, the saved up experience and further directions”, measures concerning creation of favorable conditions for activity of the above mentioned organizations stipulated in the “State Program on improvement of life conditions and increase of employment of refugees and IDPs”.
In his opening remarks, Ali Hasanov has expressed gratitude to the international humanitarian organizations and, having emphasized value of the Order of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic on the State Program, has told: “According to the mentioned document, the Commission should play a role of the coordinator between the organizations of international, local and founded by them organizations and the governmental structures, and also achieve solution of arising problems. It was clarified that recently there was a certain misunderstanding between the international and local organizations and non-bank credit structures and the Ministry of Taxes. Therefore, at the meeting there is a minister and chiefs of managements of structure.
At the meeting, speaking were the head of staff of the American International Humanitarian Organization “Mercy Corps” in Azerbaijan William Holbrook, the head of non-bank credit organization “FINCA Azerbaijan” Jeff Flowers, the head of representation of the international humanitarian organization “Council of the refugees of Norway” in Azerbaijan Ms. Beret Olsen, the chief of representation of English International Humanitarian Organization "OXFAM” in Azerbaijan Shevket Khanum Alizadeh. They informed that they carry out in Azerbaijan humanitarian activity with a view of simplification of the social conditions of the refugees, IDPs and the vulnerable, reduction of poverty, development of small and medium business. The received incomes of the non-bank credit organizations again are involved in credit operations. According to William Holbrook, for last five years, the concluded bilateral contract between the government of Azerbaijan and the USA, the above mentioned Program, the exemplary mutual cooperation developed between corresponding governmental structures and the international humanitarian organizations gave a powerful pulse of activity of the said structures. However, recently “Mercy Corps” and other non-bank credit organizations, which are carrying out humanitarian activity, have faced two problems. First, is a requirement about attraction of means to social insurance, and second, payment of the tax from the additional means received due to credit percent.
The speakers, basing on the international practice, asked the government of Azerbaijan to release them from these payments.
Deputy prime minister has answered that according to the specified State Program the question on the duty mentioned by the organizations on social insurance in the near future will find its solution after the current legislation of amendments and changes will come into effect.
Minister of taxes Fazil Mammadov informed, that the legislation does not provide exemption of the non-bank credit organizations founded by the international humanitarian organizations, of the tax. Despite of it, having studied the international practice, it is possible to bring in respective alterations to the legislation.
For studying the international practice in this field and making proposals, was set up a working group comprising representatives of the local and international non-bank credit organizations, experts of the Ministry of Taxes under the direction of the head of department of the Cabinet on the refugee problems, IDPs, migration and work with international organizations Gurban Sadigov. It was entrusted to working group to prepare during short time corresponding offers for making supplements and changes in the current legislation.
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