UNEMPLOYMENT – ARMENIA’S NUMBER ONE PROBLEM?
The Messenger
Dec 18 2008
Georgia
The Armenian budget for 2009 does not take into account the world
financial crisis, says former head of the Armenian Central Bank Bagrat
Assatrian, now in opposition. He says that this budget was submitted to
Parliament in July and August and adopted in October and therefore does
not include any concept of operating within a global economic crisis.
Assatrian thinks that the economic situation will deteriorate in
2009, because the country artificially maintains the Drum (national
currency) rate against the USD. He also thinks that the number one
problem in 2009 will be unemployment. He considers Armenian nationals
now working in Russia will also face serious problems and will be
forced to return home.
MP Vardan Bostanjian however thinks the Armenian economy is
in compliance with the demands of the current international
situation. According to him amendments of the customs and taxation
codes are envisaged.