During his first address today at a government cabinet session, newly appointed Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan said that the tax authorities should be focusing on large manufacturers and importers considered a tax-paying risk and should only go after small and medium sized business in extreme circumstances.

Karapetyan said that his government would be creating new committees to coordinate the campaign against corruption within the government.

Many in Armenia have long given up any hope that any administration can rein in corrupt practices within the government.

The new prime minister also instructed public utility regulatory agencies and the ministers of energy, labor and social affairs to jointly discuss a review of gas and electricity rates and to offer their proposals.