KHACHATUR SUKIASIAN: IT IS HARD TO DISTINGUISH BUSINESSMEN FROM POLITICAL FIGURES IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Apr 11 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN. Formation of family business is
one of the achievements of the Armenian economy over the years of
independence. Chairman of Grand Holding Hrant Vardanian said this at
the April 11 press conference.

According to him, in particular, such families as the Vardanians
and the Sukiasians have various enterprises which are managed by
family members.

Father of two canidates participating in the parliamentary elections
did not subscribe to the opinion that big businessmen enter the
political arena with the aim of getting a "roof" (protection). In
his words, decent attitude to the country’s budget is the greatest
security for a businessman. In this connection it was mentioned that
the companies owned by the Vardanians and the Sukiasians are among
the top five biggest tax payers of Armenia. H. Vardanian said that it
is corrupted businessmen, who are closely linked with the authorities
and get their property illegally, who have problems.

Khachatur Sukiasian, National Assembly deputy, businessman, whose
candidature was registered at electoral district No 10 by the
majoritarian electoral system, in his turn noted that it is hard
to distinguish businessmen from political figures in Armenia. After
examining some income declarations, he revealed that many political
figures have more property than businessmen. In the opinion of
K. Sukiasian, the NA deputies should be literate and intelligent
people who give priority to state interests.

Responding to reporters’ questions, K. Sukiasian said that opening
the Armenian-Turkish border will promote the Armenian economy. In
his words, it is not worth leaving problems with neighbors to the
future generations. Hrant Vardanian said that in case of existence of
unresolved problems between the two countries, the border’s opening
will be dangerous for a country with small economy like Armenia.