SCR SAYS CONCERNED ABOUT ARMENIAN TRANSPORT MINISTER’S RECENT STATEMENT
ARKA
March 19, 2009
YEREVAN, March 19. /ARKA/. The leadership of South Caucasus Railways
(SCR) says RA Transport Minister Gurgen Sargsyan’s recent statements
can harm the reputation of the Armenian-Russian large-scale project.
"We are currently creating all necessary preconditions to ensure
long-term effectively and financial stability of Armenia’s rail
transport. Our aim is to enhance the quality of consumer services,
expand the country’s transport business and integrate into the Eurasian
transport logistic system.
To achieve this goal, we need relevant authorities’ understanding
and proper attitude," SCR Director General Shevket Shaidulin said
in his open letter to RA Minister of Transport and Communication
Gurgen Sargsyan.
During the March 17 meeting with reporters, the transport minister
said SCR fulfilled only 28% of its investment program and partially
implemented its commitments to the Concession agreement.
"I inform you that SCR investments totaled 2.5bln rubles (with
cash drive) in 2008, with 1bln rubles being actualized (with the
input of main funds). The rest of the money will be invested in
2009 programs. Under the Concession agreement, we have earmarked
612mln rubles for our main fund, which is 61% of total concessionary
commitments in 2008," Shaidulin said in his letter.
In early 2009, SCR and the RA Ministry of20Transport set up a joint
commission to monitor fulfillment of the concession agreement.
Together with the RA Ministry of Transport and Communication, the
company worked out a common vision of solving existing problems.
"However, the dialogue you have drawn into is neither constructive
nor effective. Armenia’s rail transport is facing major problems. To
address them, we need a constant watch and conscientious approach,"
Shaiduin said, pointing out the company’s flexible tariff policy.
"Amid the crisis, we have to maintain low tariffs without economic
reserves, so that we can preserve transportation rates, secure profits
and keep working with a busy schedule," the SCR director general said,
adding SCR is a national company aiming to boost Armenia’s economy.
On 1 June 2008, SCR, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Russian Railways,
received property owned by Armenian Railways under the February 13,
2008 concession agreement the parties concluded for 30 years, with a
right of extension for another 20 years after the first 20 years of
operation.