President signs orders on application of laws
By Nigar Abbasova
President Ilham Aliyev has signed several orders on June 1, 2016. The orders envisage the application of laws approved by the parliament during plenary meetings of its spring session.
Taxation for improper use of lands
An order on the application of law on the changes to the Tax code was approved by the parliament [Milli Majlis] on May 6, 2016. In accordance with the changes, tax rate on the use of lands of agricultural designation remains the same at the level of 0.06 manats ($0.04) for one conditional point, the amendment envisages increase of tax in case of improper use of lands, the amount of fee for the violation is 10 manats ($6.70) for 100 square meters. Tax rate for agricultural lands, the improper use of which is not possible due to meliorative or other agro technical reasons also remains the same at the rate of 0.06 manats ($0.04022) for one conditional point.
Possibility of misuse of lands is determined in accordance with the rules and criteria approved by appropriate government agency. In contrast to the revenues from land tax which are forwarded to the budgets of municipalities, taxes for misuse of lands will be directed to the state budget.
Industrial park residents are exempt from taxes
President Ilham Aliyev also signed an order on the application of the law on the introduction of changes to the law on customs tariff and alteration of the law on social insurance. The parliament approved the laws during a plenary meeting on May 6, 2016.
Amendment adopted to the customs tariff law specifies that starting from May 1, 2016 import of goods by the industrial park residents is exempt of customs duties for a term of five years. Amendments to the Social insurance law envision that foreign residents of industrial parks are also exempt from payments for compulsory social insurance starting from May 1, 2016. The equipment and technologies used in industrial parks are also exempt from value added tax.
The decision is expected to give a stimulus for the development of industrial parks in the country. Industrial parks have already been created in Sumgait, in the village of Balakhani and Garadagh in Baku and Mingachevir. Works on the provision of infrastructure in the created industrial parks are currently underway. The country seeks to further boost this sphere and create industrial parks in other cities and provides favorable conditions for other countries to participate in the industrial parks. Neftchali industrial district the construction of which is due to end holds the area of 10 hectares. The total number of industrial parks residents currently is 12 being 7 in Sumgait 4 in Balakhani and in Garadagh.
Tightened control over contract conclusion
An order on the application of changes to the law on banks and insurance activities specifies toughening inspection over the contract making in banks and insurance companies. In accordance with the changes concerning the privileges of bank court, decision on making of a deal to the amount of five or more percent of the volume of bank resources with individuals associated with bank will be made on the ground of independent audit report and shareholders resolution.
Similar amendment is specified for the privileges of supervisory council. Thus, decision making in the cases when the amount of a deal with the individuals associated with the bank is five percent of bank resources (unless the case is in the authority of bank shareholders) is the responsibility of Supervisory Council. From now on, banks are not eligible to deal with individuals acting on behalf of a bank. the similar changes were made to the law on insurance activity.
Currently the number of banks in the country amounts to 37, while the number of insurance agencies is 25.
Child protection from harmful information
An order on the application of the law on the changes to the law on rights of children envisages protection of children from harmful information. In accordance with the changes to Article 15 (The right of a child for the freedom of information) the protection of children from the information which may pose health hazard will be regulated by law.
Having ratified approximately 30 international conventions regarding children's rights Azerbaijan pays great attention to the rights of children. The issue is a top priority in the country’s social policy. The country closely cooperates with a number of international organizations, particularly the UNICEF to tackle problems concerning children's rights.
The list of narcotic and psychoactive drugs expanded
The president also signed an order on the application of law on the changes to the approval of the list of narcotic drugs, psychoactive drugs, the turnover of which is prohibited, restricted or is under control in the territory of the country as well as precursors import, export, transit and manufacturing of which is possible under license. The changes envisage adding several drugs to the lists.
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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova
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