MONOPOLIES ARE THE SHAME OF ARMENIA

Lragir.am
12-06-2007 15:46:42

On June 12 the Hayeli Club held a discussion on the economic future
and present of Armenia, which revealed that the members of parliament
Republican Gagik Minasyan and Khachatur Sukiasyan think no country
can sustain a non-stop two-digit development, and at some point we
will start to have a one-digit development, but for the time being
we have room and resource for two-digit growth for another 15-20 years.

Khachatur Sukiasyan thinks we have had no considerable growth so far,
and if the government encouraged exports of Armenian brands, such
as apricots, rosehip, tuff stone, water, etc., development would
be guaranteed. Khachatur Sukiasyan suggests setting up a special
department for exports under the ministry of trade and economic
development. Khachatur Sukiasyan has expectations from the Central
Bank, Nerses Yeritsyan, the new minister of trade and economic
development. "He is the only person who is close to the economy. He
will do everything that a ministry should do. We used to have no
expectations from this ministry. Nerses will bring a new style. He
will do it well."

Both Khachatur Sukiasyan and Gagik Minasyan think efforts are made
against the black economy but they are not sufficient. Both agree
that in Armenia the rich become richer more fast than poverty is
reduced. However, he does not think it is dangerous because richer
rich people will pay more taxes.

Meanwhile, the list of the major taxpayers of Armenia shows the
major taxpayers become richer but pay lesser taxes. With only a
few exceptions.

Khachatur Sukiasyan thinks in such country as Armenia it is a shame to
have monopolies. However, the businessman member of parliament knows
it cannot be battled away in a night. Gagik Minasyan does not know
anything about such bad things. The finance and budget committee he
heads has received no reports. Gagik Minasyan does not fancy reading
the media. "The media report a lot about a lot of people."