ARMENIAN CUSTOMS PREPARE TO OPEN ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER

news.AZ
Nov 5 2009
Azerbaijan

The customs points hold preliminary work in anticipation of the opening
of the Armenian-Turkish border that will result in trade enlivening,
said Armen Alaverdyan, deputy chairman of the committee on state
revenues of Armenia.

He said Armenia is ready for a flow of Turkish goods, though no large
flow is expected.

Alaverdyan said, economically Turkey is the same partner for Armenia
as Russia, Georgia and other countries and goods imported from Turkey
are imposed the same duties as imports from other countries. He also
noted that Turkish goods had always been imported to Armenia.

The trade turnover between Armenia and Turkey is now being carried via
the third countries, mostly via Gergia and Iran. According to experts,
the blockade by Turkey causes a loss of 500 mln dollars to Armenia
per annum. Economic professor Tatul Manaseryan estimates that the
shadow turnover between the two countries makes up 25% of Armenia’s
overall trade turnover.

By the expert estimates of the Armenian-Turkish business development
council, the trade turnover between Turkey and Armenia nears 100 mln
dollars and will reach 300 mln dollars in case of border opening.