ML Mining, Exempt from Customs Duties, Seizes Construction Sites

The head of the former Special Investigation Service of Armenia, David Sukiasyan, continues to expand his business activities in the mining and construction sectors. The company he owns, "ML Mining" LLC, currently undertakes the construction of 14 residential complexes in Yerevan and one in Artashat. This was reported by the newspaper 'Zhoghovurd'.

“In addition to this, the privileged taxpayer 'ML Mining' LLC actively engages in mining operations, specifically producing concrete, basalt pebbles, river pebbles, washed river sand, perlite sand, lithoid pumice, volcanic ash, and limestone. Essentially, it offers almost everything needed for self-sufficient construction, providing consumers with nine types of products. It seems to be a perfectly functioning company; however, it has been exempted from customs duties several times,” the article notes.

“On January 25, 2018, 'ML Mining' received a customs duty exemption for the import of equipment worth 2 billion drams or 5 million dollars. The company, which has monopolized the sector, circulates its finances in a manner that, according to certain information, it exclusively uses its own produced raw materials and stones for the construction of residential complexes.”

The former official remains a close circle of power, regularly receiving compliments and praise from this sphere. However, in Yerevan, the air pollution, dust, and dirt are often due to construction works being carried out under inappropriate conditions at construction sites, where one company is building 14 residential complexes, while ordinary citizens and children breathe in the dust and dirt.

It is also worth noting that on May 23, 2019, the government granted 'ML Mining' LLC an exemption from customs duties, among other organizations. According to the government's justification, the equipment imported by the company will be used in the mining industry (in the Kotayk region),” the newspaper adds.