1 / 8

We are in Gyumri to disclose the perspectives of the economic development of the marz/region, the existing problems on one platform, through the dialogue between the state and private sectors. We’ll also present the framework and the opportunities of the state support programmes aimed at business. The voiced problems and concerns will be listed for finding quick solutions for them as much as possible.

The Deputy Chair of the RA NA Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Babken Tunyan said about this.

The Deputy Chair of the RA NA Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Babken Tunyan, deputies of the Committee Davit Arushanyan, Hovik Aghazaryan, the Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan, the Deputy Minister Arman Khojoyan, the Minister of Finance Vahe Hovhannisyan, the Chairman of the State Revenue Committee Rustam Badasyan, more than 100 entrepreneurs and entities, representatives of the communities carrying out in Gyumri and in the marz took part in the panel discussion.

“The Forum gives opportunity to the entrepreneurs to meet those responsible for the sphere. The important component for ensuring economic activeness is the job creator and taxpayer business. The experience showed that discussing the problems and proposals brought forth by the entrepreneurs with the responsible persons and singling out the priorities are very important in terms of ensuring the development of business and economic stability. 18 taxpayers out of 1000 major ones of the republic registered in our marz pay more than 10 billion AMD. One of the preconditions of our country’s strengthening is the developing business and strong economy,” the deputy Davit Arushanyan said.

The Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan informed that last year Armenia had very high economic growth – 12.6%. Almost all branches, except mining have grown.

“It is clear that there are many obstacles, many problems, which impede the factories, it is important for us to listen to the problems from first hand, to which the business crashes,” the Minister said, adding: “Criticize us as much as you can, we’ll turn that criticism in the agenda of improving the business environment.”

The Founder of Lentex Textile LLC Karen Gomtsyan noted that wonderful environment was created for the business development. “We can create business in several hours, rent an organization, which is very positive. I came to Armenia 20 years ago to Armenia, and I founded the business at that time: 20 years ago I would dream to have such legislative and normative base in Armenia, as there is now,” the businessman said. Enumerating the advantages, at the same time he noted that the dram exchange creates problems for the businessmen.

The Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan noted that he had discussions with his colleagues of the Central Bank on the dram exchange fluctuation.

“The dram exchange rate is free, but the Central Bank (CB) has tools, with which it can have an impact. Now, the main problem for the CB is the price stability, and the prices are still rather high, i.e. the inflation is still more than 8%, which is very high. The inflation is very low here than in the countries of the region, if we don’t fight against it, then the poverty essentially increases,” Vahan Kerobyan said.

Babken Tunyan underscored that if the CB will not solve the inflation problem, we’ll have increase of unprecedented prices, from which everybody will suffer.

The businessmen voiced many issues, touched upon the procrastinated process of the project for founding a techno city, the closing of one of the oldest factories of Gyumri, Strommash, the support necessary for the exporters, the free economic zones, the ferry communication, ‘the dry port’ project, introduced the violation of copyright, a number of red tape cases, it was noted that there is lack of educated agronomists and vets.

Vahan Kerobyan mentioned that the goal of the Government is to create a high level urban development environment, where the investments were made in a sensible way and create favourable environment for local residents and tourists. Regarding the implementation of ‘dry port’ project, the Minister stated that it shall become a new page of industry revival of Gyumri.

The voiced problems will be discussed in the office of the Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khchatryan, and relevant approaches will be taken on their regulation.

Business forums titles State-Public Dialogue will be organized in other marzes and cities of Armenia, too.