ARF PRESENTS STRATEGIC PROGRAM ON EXPORT PROMOTION
By Naira Poghossian

Yerkir/arm
September 09, 2005

Considering promotion of exports as one of the most important
challenges at the present stage of development of the Armenian
economy, Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s (ARF) Supreme Body
of Armenia presented a concept paper on the national strategy for
export promotion.

“Sustainable economic growth can be ensured only if the volume of
exports increases drastically, domestic producers are promoted and
the export of Armenian goods and services increases. Taking this into
consideration, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Party initiated
elaboration of a national strategy for export promotion.

Economists, experts and specialists from Armenia and the Diaspora
participated in the elaboration of the strategy”, ARF Supreme Board
advisor on economic issues in charge of the strategy for exports
promotion Ara Nranian commented at the launching of the Concept Paper.

“As opposed to our neighbors that have a variety of natural
resources, we have to rely only on human resources. The Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Party, adhering to its principles deriving
from national ideology, is ready to undertake responsibility in
addressing the strategic challenges of Armenia’s overall development
and strengthening. The present strategy includes science, education
and politics,” head of ARF’s parliamentary faction Levon Mkrtchian
commented.

Secretary of ARF’s faction Hrayr Karapetian noted that the
Concept Paper contains clear-cut directions for implementation
of the strategy as well as measures aimed at promotion of foreign
economic policies. “Armenia is facing the challenges of poverty,
inequality, corruption, poor governance and low competitiveness on
the international markets.

The government’s action plan states that promotion of exports
is a priority for the government’s economic policies. However,
the government does not have a package of actions and measures to
address this priority. Therefore, the national strategy for export
promotion is aimed at becoming a working mechanism for addressing
the government’s priority.”

A number of scientific and academic institutions, government agencies
and specialized organizations have commented on the draft Concept
Paper. Mainly positive comments have been received so far.

At the same time, those organizations have also presented their
suggestions and recommendations regarding the government’s policies
for export promotion.

Dean of the Economics Department at Yerevan State University Haik
Sargsian emphasized the importance of the document noting that there
is no alternative to it yet. He pointed out the necessity to further
clarify the mechanisms for regulation of the economy.

The majority of the recommendations have been considered while revising
and editing the final draft of the Concept Paper. The Concept paper
includes an analysis of the existing situation with exports. The
importance of the issue as well as the objectives and principles of
export promotion are defined in the document.

It contains clear-cut directives for realization of the strategy as
well as a set of measures directed at promotion of exports dealing
with activization of foreign economic policies, regional integration,
application of alternative mechanisms for exports financing, promotion
of Armenian products on the international markets, awareness raising,
etc.

The concept paper also addresses such issues as the necessity of
political will for implementation of the strategy, establishment of the
necessary institutional framework, intra-governmental coordination,
etc. The national strategy for export promotion must unite all the
strata of the society – the government and the opposition, all the
political parties, the business sector and the whole population of
the country.

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Party is presenting the concept
paper to the attention of the Armenian government and will proceed with
its efforts to turn it into a priority economic policy for the country.