PanArmenian News
Feb 26 2005

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT: OWING TO HIGH ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE TENS OF
THOUSANDS OF NEW WORKPLACES CREATE IN ARMENIA ANNUALLY

26.02.2005 13:41

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Within the past 4 years 11.7% average Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) growth is observed in Armenia. The small and
medium business is accountable for 40% of the GDP, “these are many
thousands of enterprising and energetic people,” Armenian President
Robert Kocharian stated in an interview with the Golos Armenii
newspaper. In his words, 50 thousand enterprises are registered in
the country, over 34 out of these operate and pay taxes. Over 1.5
thousand new firms were registered in 2004 only, R. Kocharian noted.
As noted by the Armenian leader, owing to the high economic growth
rate tens of thousands of new workplaces are annually created in
Armenia. “Today we experience critical shortage of qualified workers
on a whole range of professions. The issue of restoration of
professional technical education is urgent for us. We are not in time
for a range of branches of economy,” R. Kocharian noted. Besides, the
President noted that the information technology share in the GDP
today makes 1.7%. “Ireland has the best indicator of 8% and we will
work for it,” R. Kocharian added. Answering a question that many
projects of laying railways avoid Armenia, the Armenian President
noted that “no rail project has passed us by yet.” “The possible
various building projects are considered. However the matter concerns
the discussion and projects that demand huge expenses. The operating
railways are linked with Armenia and do not demand capital spending.
They are frozen due to political reasons and can really become
working at any moment. It is an undoubted advantage when counting the
economy of a project. There is no alternative to the Armenian railway
when passing through the North-South corridor. Thus building of new
ones has been actively spoken about. By the way, I do not see any
tragedy in case these are built – our route will be competitive,” R.
Kocharian added.