Saturday, 7 February 2009

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met with domestic importers and
shippers who are specialized in the imports of a broad range of
high-demand products, who keep track of foreign markets, whose
competitive edge can be used for boosting domestic output. They
are expected to grow into producers and exporters, if there are
favorable conditions created to this end. This is seen as an
important anti-crisis measure amidst the ongoing global financial
and economic downturn. In view of the above, the Government stands
ready to promote output at home by offering exceptional conditions
to eventual investors. In pointing out that importers used to enjoy
quite favorable conditions in Armenia over the past few years,
Tigran Sargsyan said that the current state of affairs calls for a
behavioral change implying a closer insight into market fluctuations
and into the balance of trade and balance of payments structure.

"The global financial and economic crisis has led to a new situation
within the Government as well. We must undertake anti-crisis actions
consisting in the following: realization of such investments and
taking of such decisions as may be conducive to several new jobs in
the country, improve our foreign exchange position and boost processing
industries in Armenia. This is what we have been stating in public for
the last 6-7 months addressing the society, the Nation al Assembly,
private sector representatives. Now, I would like to listen to you with
a view to understanding your concerns and problems, tracing the ways
we can assist you so as the anti-crisis program proves in harmony with
your activities and investment policies," the Prime Minister noted.

Thanking the Prime Minister and the Government for their willingness
and proposals of support, the importers spoke about the problems
faced, outlined the eventual areas of investment and made specific
suggestions.

Summarizing the meeting, Tigran Sargsyan stressed his government’s
care for providing the business community with a clear-cut and
predictable action plan and thanked those in attendance for accepting
his invitation. In conclusion, the Prime Minister expressed hope that
this meeting will allow our importers to formulate new business plans
which the State is prepared to back as much as possible.