ARMENIAN CEMENT "FLOWS" TO GEORGIA
A1+
[04:38 pm] 07 November, 2006
whereas Georgia has penetrated into the Azeri markets with its cement
and completely captured them
Today Michael Baghdasarov, president of "Mika Limited" told a press
conference and briefed the journalists what factors the increase of
cement price by 70-80 percent over the past two years is determined by.
"A1+" Company asked the businessman whether the increase is not caused
by anti-competitive relations of two producers.
Reminder; NA deputy Gagik Tsarukyan owns one of the cement
plants-"AraratCement" and the other plant belongs to Michail
Baghdasarov.
The businessman claims that according to the data he possesses the
price of the cement is comparatively lower in Armenia among the South
Caucasian countries.
The price of cement is 35000 AMD per a ton, in Armenian, in Georgia
it is 140 USD, in Azerbaijan – 180 USD and in Iran – 220 USD.
That’s why, the price of one sack of cement went up from 1300 AMD to
2200 AMD in Armenia in 2005 – 2006.
Michail Baghdasarov says that the cars clogged in the Meghri Customs
Office have created a great traffic jam, and there is a large demand
of cement in Georgia which leads to abrupt increase of cement price
at the market.
In Mr. Baghdasarov’s words, Azerbaijan is unable to meet the interior
demand of cement either; the country doesn’t export cement from Russia
any more as the price of cement has gone up in Russia too. That is
why Azerbaijan has to export cement from its neighbouring country
– Georgia.
This means that Azerbaijan gets cement from Georgia with the help of
Armenia. "Armenia is a democratic country and we don’t care which
country purchases the cement sent to Georgia. If Azerbaijan buys
cement from Georgia we can assume that the high quality of Armenian
cement is guaranteed."
Michail Baghdasarov complained of the frequent fluctuations of
the currency and mainly the revaluation of the Armenian dram. As
an Armenian, he is proud that our currency is gradually becoming
stable. But he thinks that the dram appreciation is occurring rather
quickly. "The Central Bank has chosen a suitable time for the dram
revaluation," added Michail Baghdasarov.
Today, Michail Baghdasarov and Gagik Abrahamyan, president of Armenian
Goldsmiths’ Association, were invited to "Mirror" club to talk on a
number of economic and political issues.
Michail Baghdasarov assured the journalists that he is not going to
participate in the political life of the country. Reminder: many years
ago on the eve of Parliamentary elections Mr. Baghdasarov supported
"Armenian Women" Organisation but he couldn’t enter the Parliament
and decided to stay aside from the inner political procedures.
"Michail Baghdasarov got disappointed," was Gagik Abrahamyan’s remark
on this score. By the way, the latter told us a few interesting news.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
